Genmab's HuMax-HepC prevents Hepatitis C virus infection in animal models
Genmab A/S announced its fully human antibody HuMax-HepC(TM) prevented hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a novel animal model. In the pre-clinical study, mice with a compromised immune system were transplanted with human liver cells (hepatocytes) and exposed to a mixture of patient-derived HCV of different genotypes.
Replication of HCV was not observed in 5 of 6 mice (83%) treated with HuMax-HepC, indicating that HuMax-HepC completely prevented HCV infection. The sixth mouse was infected with HCV, but the virus was subsequently cleared. In comparison, 5 of 6 mice who received a control antibody developed and sustained a robust HCV infection.
HuMax-HepC was originally isolated from a patient who suffered from mild chronic hepatitis. HuMax-HepC binds to a conformational epitope of envelope protein 2 (E2), which is expressed on the surface of Hepatitis C virus and plays an important role in the entry of hepatitis C virus into target cells. In pre-clinical studies, HuMax-HepC was shown to be broadly cross-reactive with several HCV genotypes and potently neutralized binding of HCV-E2 to susceptible cells
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