Antibodies and Methods for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

According to the World Health Organization, over 90% of the worldwide population is infected with Epstein-Barr virus by adulthood. In most cases, the disease accompanying initial infection is subclinical though some individuals who are infected as adolescents or adults do experience infectious mononucleosis. However, once infected, individuals carry latent EBV for their remaining lifespan. In such individuals, immune suppression can result in reactivation of the EBV and consequently, EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disease. Currently, there is no prophylactic to prevent primary EBV infection and additional therapeutics would be useful to treat EBV-associated B-cell driven lymphoproliferative disease.

Scientists at the NIAID are developing neutralizing antibodies, originally isolated from humans or non-human primates, that could be useful in preventing primary infection or reactivation of EBV in immunocompromised individuals. These antibodies are 10-100 times more potent than the most potent EBV neutralizing antibody identified to date (72A1). The antibodies target epitopes on either the gp350 surface glycoprotein of EBV or the gH/gL heterodimer. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that the antibodies effectively inhibit EBV infection of B cells and epithelial cells as well as cell-to-cell fusion of cells expressing the viral proteins gH/gL.

Potential Commercial Applications:		Competitive Advantages:
Treatment of individuals with compromised immune systems to prevent EBV-associated lymphoproliferative diseases Prevention of primary EBV infection in individuals with compromised immune systems to prevent EBV-associated lymphoproliferative diseases		No EBV therapeutics or prophylactics currently exist

Inventors:

Masaru Kanekiyo (NIAID)  ➽ more inventions...

Michael Joyce (NIAID)  ➽ more inventions...

Wei Bu (NIAID)  ➽ more inventions...

Jeffrey Cohen (NIAID)  ➽ more inventions...


Intellectual Property:
US Application No. 62/490,023
PCT Application No. PCT/US2018/029463
US Application No. 62/665,977
PCT Application No. PCT/US2019/030431
US Application No. 16/608,386
US Application No. 17/052,470

Collaboration Opportunity:
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate or commercialize Epstein-Barr monoclonal antibody technologies. For collaboration opportunities, please contact Dr. Amy Petrik, 240-627-3721; amy.petrik@nih.gov


Licensing Contact:
Peter Soukas, J.D.
Email: peter.soukas@nih.gov
Phone: 301-496-2644

OTT Reference No: E-001-2017-0
Updated: Sep 21, 2020