A*STAR Joins Forces with Cytos to Combat Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
A*STAR's Singapore immunology Network (SIgN) and Swiss company Cytos Biotechnology Ltd have pledged to work together to develop fully human monoclonal antibodies for combating and managing the Enterovirus 71 (EV71), one of the two most common viruses responsible for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Singapore. This collaborative research is especially timely for Singapore, which has seen seasonal outbreaks of this highly infectious disease that largely afflicts young children. There is currently no specific treatment available for HFMD.
Under the two-year agreement, SIgN will provide the immunological expertise required for the research, while Cytos will share with SIgN its proprietary technology for the isolation of fully human monoclonal antibodies. This sharing of expertise between public sector R&D and industry could significantly cut down the time needed to develop such targeted antibodies, and could accelerate the process of finding effective treatment approaches for HFMD.
Said Prof Paola Castagnoli, Scientific Director of SIgN and also the SIgN Principal Investigator involved in the collaboration, "We are excited about this partnership as it will provide researchers on both sides with the opportunities of sharing expert knowledge and ideas. This will contribute towards SIgN's aim of building a critical mass of skills and knowledge needed to establish immunology as a core capability in Singapore, and to the advancement of research in human immunology."
The specialized technology employed in the research collaboration aims for fast isolation and identification of fully human monoclonal antibodies that are highly specific to the EV71. Based on the knowledge gained from these monoclonal antibodies, the scientists should obtain greater understanding of the characteristics of the disease-causing virus EV71. This knowledge may directly influence public health management of the disease and contribute to improved healthcare for patients.
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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
