This technology relates to a Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) neutralizing monoclonal antibody that is significantly more potent than the currently marketed alternative Cytogam™.
HCMV infection is typically unnoticed in healthy people, but can be life-threatening for the immunocompromised, such as HIV patients, organ transplant recipients, or newborn infants. Congenital infection with HCMV is the leading infectious cause of deafness, learning disabilities and mental retardation and the most common and single most important viral infection in solid organ transplant recipients.
The monoclonal antibody was selected from a panel of 1,500+ murine hybridomas and has been shown to precipitate the gH/gL complex. Its potency has been demonstrated to be superior to Cytogam™ in a head-to-head study using two CMV strains in MRC5 fibroblasts.
Current Development Status
- Evaluated efficacy of monoclonal antibody head-to-head vs Cytogam™
- Pending validation in epithelial cell lines and additional clinical strains
Applications
- Prophylactic or therapeutic monoclonal antibody for individuals at risk of infection:
- Seronegative pregnant women
- Immunocompromised patients – HIV / Organ transplant patients
Advantages
- Superior therapeutic to Cytogam™
Publications
- Auerbach Mr et al. “A Neutralizing Anti-gH/gL Monoclonal Antibody Is Protective in the Guinea Pig Model of Congenital CMV Infection.” PLoS Pathog 2014 Apr 10;10(4)
Contact
Alan Belicha, PhD
Business Development Analyst
Mount Sinai Innovation Partners | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Phone: 646.605.7306