Bispecific antibodies to treat HIV

This technology is a bispecific antibody comprised of two linked antibody fragments targeting both a host cell membrane and the HIV envelope protein, allowing for targeted neutralization of HIV.

Unmet need: Bispecific antibodies to treat and prevent HIV infection

Current methods for preventing and treating HIV infections have made tremendous advancements in recent years largely due to the application of bispecific antibodies, which tether HIV-specific antibodies to specific cellular populations allowing for responses in the presence of weakly expressed antigens. However, these nascent systems have substantial room for optimization such as implementing CrossMab technology, modulating the antibody linker, and selection/engineering of antibodies specific to different cellular membrane proteins for improved localized antibody concentration.

The Technology: Bispecific antibody for improved antigen targeting to neutralize HIV

This bispecific antibody is comprised of two linked antibody fragments targeting a cell specific membrane receptor protein and the HIV envelope protein, allowing for improved recognition of weakly expressed HIV antigens and treating HIV infections. Furthermore, this therapeutic can be modified to implement CrossMab technology, increasing localized antibody concentration to compensate for monovalent binding. These bispecific antibodies can also be used prophylactically to prevent future infections.

Applications:

• Prevention and treatment of HIV
• Screening tool for potential bispecific antibodies
• Research tool for studying localized antibody interactions
• Precise modulation of immune system for therapeutic discovery

Advantages:

• Increased localization for improved targeting of weakly expressed antigens
• Improved cellular tropism
• Increased cellular specificity
• Compatibility with CrossMab technology

Lead Inventor:

David D. Ho, M.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Issued (US 9,884,905)

Related Publications:

• Song R, Pace C, Seaman MS, Fang Q, Sun M, Andrews CD, Wu A, Padte NN, Ho DD. Distinct HIV-1 Neutralization Potency Profiles of Ibalizumab-Based Bispecific Antibodies. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2016 Dec; 73(4): 365-373.

• Huang Y, Yu J, Lanzi A, Yao X, Andrews CD, Tsai L, Gajjar MR, Sun M, Seaman MS, Padte NN, Ho DD. “Engineered bispecific antibodies with exquisite HIV-1-neutralizing activity” Cell. 2016 Jun 16;165(7):1621-31

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR Proxy99-CIP

• Licensing Contact: Kristin Neuman