Rapid generation of a human monoclonal antibody to combat Middle East respiratory syndrome.
The last century has witnessed the emergence of several previously unknown viruses as life-threatening human pathogens. Several examples include HIV, Ebola, Lujo, and, most recently, the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and Ebola. In this study, we describe a method for the swift generation of a human-derived monoclonal antibody, known as LCA60, as a treatment for MERS infections. LCA60 antibody was generated using the Cellclone Technology from the immortalized B cells of a human donor recovering from MERS. Only four months were required from the initial screening of B cells to the development of a stable CHO cell line suitable for the production of clinical grade antibody, thereby delineating a rapid pathway for the development of antiviral therapies against emerging viruses. Currently, the LCA60 antibody is being considered for clinical development, which includes prophylaxis in individuals at risk and a treatment for severe MERS-CoV infections.
Humabs BioMed SA, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland. Electronic address: davide.corti@humabs.ch.
Davide
D
Corti
Humabs BioMed SA, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland.
Nadia
N
Passini
Immune Regulation Unit, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; Institute of Microbiology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
Antonio
A
Lanzavecchia
Microbiology Services Colindale, Public Health England, London NW9 5HT, United Kingdom.
Maria
M
Zambon
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D016466:CHO Cells; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D003412:Cricetulus; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007155:Immunologic Factors