Ebola Virus Glycoprotein-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies and Uses Thereof

Ebola virus is a large, negative-strand RNA virus composed of 7 genes encoding viral proteins, including a single glycoprotein (GP). The virus is responsible for causing Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), in humans. In particular, Bundibugyo (BDBV), Zaire (EBOV), and Sudan (SUDV) species have been associated with large outbreaks of EVD in Africa and reported case fatality rates of up to 90%. Transmission of Ebola virus to humans is not yet fully understood but is likely due to incidental exposure to infected animals. EVD spreads through human-to-human transmission, with infection resulting from direct contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and indirect contact with environments contaminated by such fluids.

EVD has an incubation period of 2 to 21 days (7 days on average, depending on the strain) followed by a rapid onset of non-specific symptoms such as fever, extreme fatigue, gastrointestinal complaints, abdominal pain, anorexia, headache, myalgias and/or arthralgias.

While prior outbreaks of EVD have been localized to regions of Africa, there is a potential threat of spread to other countries given the frequency of international travel. The 2014 outbreak in West Africa was first recognized in March 2014, and as of April 13, 2016, the number of cases far exceeded the largest prior EVD outbreak with a combined total (suspected, probable, and laboratory-confirmed) 28616 cases and 11310 deaths (case fatality rate = 39.5%). The largest previous outbreak occurred in Uganda in 2000-2001 with 425 cases and 224 deaths (case-fatality rate=53%).

Viruses in the Filoviridae family are also categorized as potential threats for use as biological weapons due to ease of dissemination and transmission, and high levels of mortality. Currently, no effective therapies or FDA-licensed vaccines exist for any member of Filoviridae family of viruses.

Researchers at the Vaccine Research Center (VRC) of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) developed eight high-affinity human monoclonal antibodies, specifically EboV.YD.01, EboV.YD.02, EboV.YD.03, and EboV.YD.04, EboV.YD.05, EboV.YD.06, EboV.YD.07 and EboV.YD.08 which bind with nanomolar affinity against Ebola virus glycoprotein. The human monoclonal antibodies have been assessed by functional assays, epitope mapping, affinity measurements and in vitro neutralization assays.

This technology is available for licensing for commercial development in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 209 and 37 CFR Part 404.