Key molecular interactions of the ZMapp anti-Ebola virus cocktail identified
To support the creation of Ebola virus vaccines and treatments, Integral Molecular, a leader in membrane protein antibody discovery, has identified the key molecular interactions that mediate the effectiveness of the anti-Ebola ZMapp TM therapeutic cocktail, which is in clinical trials after being used to treat select patients during the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak.
Using its proprietary Shotgun Mutagenesis mapping platform, Integral Molecular identified the exact binding sites, or epitopes, of the therapeutic antibodies in the ZMapp, ZMAb, and MB-003 cocktails. This work helps explain why ZMapp has been more effective than other cocktails in treating disease, and provides a design pathway for improved therapeutic drug cocktails. This work is published in Journal of Virology.
“To accelerate research during the global health threat of Ebola, we made it a priority to apply our high-throughput mapping technology to identify the epitopes of ZMapp,” said Benjamin Doranz, President and CEO of Integral Molecular. “These antibodies are the most important Ebola therapeutics developed to date, but prior to our work there was not enough information about where and how these antibodies acted on their target to prevent infection.”
This research was funded by contracts recently awarded to Integral Molecular from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. Under this award the company is identifying how antibodies protect against viral diseases, aiding in the discovery of effective treatments and vaccines.
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Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous
Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous