Licencing Opportunity:
This work represents a licensing opportunity.
Please contact Dr Brendon Hanson for any information at hbrendon@dso.org.sg
Epitope characterization of the protective monoclonal antibody VN04-2 shows broadly neutralizing activity against highly pathogenic H5N1.
Virology journal 2008 Jul 11; 5(1):80
Lim A Pc, Wong S Kk, Chan A Hy, Chan C Ez, Ooi E EE, Hanson B J
ABSTRACT: The monoclonal antibody VN04-2 was previously shown to protect mice against lethal A/Vietnam/1203/04 H5N1 virus challenge when administered pre- and post-infection. In this study, we characterized the binding requirements of this antibody using direct binding to hemagglutinin and neutralization assays with H5N1 virus-like particles (H5N1-VLP) of eight recent H5N1 strains representing the major mutations within the 140s antigenic loop. Binding was clade independent and 3 mutations within this antigenic region are required before escape is possible, suggesting that apart from the H5N1 viruses circulating in Indonesia, VN04-2 may provide protection against H5N1 viruses from all other regions.