Human-derived Monoclonal Antibody for Treatment of Ebola Virus Infection

Ebola virus infection can lead to severe hemorrhagic fever, known as Ebola virus disease (EVD), which is often fatal. The Zaire species of Ebola virus (EBOV) was responsible for the largest Ebola outbreak in history, which occurred in 2014. Scientists at the NIAID Vaccine Research Center have developed a human monoclonal neutralizing antibody, mAb114 for treatment and prevention of EBOV infection. Because there are very few treatments available to treat or prevent EBOV infection, there is a great need to develop effective pre- and post- exposure therapeutics before another outbreak occurs.

Preclinical efficacy studies demonstrate that monoclonal antibodies can effectively prevent EBOV infection or reverse EVD, in non-human primates. Strikingly, mAb114 protected infected monkeys when administered as late as 6 days after infection. mAb114 has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, making it a promising potential therapeutic. Clinical trials to test the efficacy of mAb114 in humans are projected for 2018. It is anticipated that mAb114 can be used to prevent EBOV infection and EVD both pre- and post-exposure.

Development Stage
First-in-human trials to start in 2018.