Crucell discovers human monoclonal antibodies for the prevention and treatment of the avian flu virus. The antibody provides immediate protection and neutralizes the broadest range of H5N1 strains.
Leiden, The Netherlands, September 27 te 23.00 uur 2007 - Dutch biotechnology company Crucell N.V. (Euronext, NASDAQ: CRXL, Swiss Exchange: CRX) today announced the discovery of a set of human monoclonal antibodies against H5N1. These results, demonstrating the potential of human monoclonal antibodies for pandemic preparedness, were presented today at the 5th International Bird Flu Summit held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A total of twenty one human monoclonal antibodies were discovered. These were found to be able to neutralize the H5N1 virus of avian influenza, which currently presents a global threat. The most potent of the antibodies was shown to neutralize the broadest range of H5N1 strains that have emerged between 1997 and 2004. This antibody may therefore provide a powerful tool in pandemic preparedness. In addition, this antibody prevents flu, in pre-clinical models, when given twenty four hours before a challenge with a lethal dose of highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. When given three days after infection, it also was shown to prevent death and cure the disease.
"Our discovery of potent human monoclonal antibodies against a number of different H5N1 pandemic flu types, provide proof of concept that antibodies are a serious alternative to vaccination or antiviral treatment", said Dr. Jaap Goudsmit, Chief Scientific Officer of Crucell. "What is most encouraging is the fact that these antibodies are not only able to prevent infection, but also open the possibility to treat infected individuals. Treatment with this antibody provides an instantaneous antiviral response, which is an advantage over the delayed immune response after (prepandemic) vaccination."
The set of monoclonal antibodies, which was produced by Crucell researchers using phage display and Crucell PER.C6® technology, showed the potential to neutralize distinct H5N1 viruses, A/Vietnam/11994/04, A/Hong Kong/213/03 and A/Hong Kong/156/97. The antibodies apparently recognize a part of the viral membrane protein that is present among all H5N1 viruses tested. The most potent neutralizing antibody was tested in pre-clinical models for the ability to protect against infection with the highly pathogenic A/Hong Kong/97 H5N1 virus and was also tested for its ability to stop the development of the disease caused by this virus. When the monoclonal antibody was given in a pre-clinical model, one day prior to infection with the H5N1 virus, it resulted in full protection against infection. Treatment with the antibody up to three days after infection, resulted in 100% survival and cure of the disease.
About Pandemic Influenza
Influenza is a highly infectious virus which spreads easily from person to person. In a pandemic, a new and more virulent virus infectious for humans arises with the potential to cause severe disease and high mortality. H5N1 Viruses isolated from wild and domestic birds and from humans since the outbreaks in Hong Kong separate in distinct genetic groups (clade and subclades) of closely related viruses. Clade 1 virus circulated in Cambodia, Thailand and Viet Nam and caused infections in humans in 2004 and 2005. Clade 2 viruses circulated in China and Indonesia in 2003 -2004 and spread to the Middle East, Africa and Europe in 2005 and 2006.
