Announced today its fully human antibody HuMax-HepC™ 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.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark | May 21, 2007 | Genmab A/S (CSE: GEN) announced today its fully human antibody HuMax-HepC™ 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.
"We are pleased to present this pre-clinical data which indicates that HuMax-HepC may provide effective protection against HCV infection of human hepatocytes in vivo," said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.
This data will be presented today at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases’ (AASLD) Digestive Disease Week® in Washington, DC, USA.
About HuMax-HepC
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.
About Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Worldwide more than 170 million people are chronically infected with HCV, including approximately 3.9 million in the United States and 8.9 million in Europe. Most infected people develop increasing liver fibrosis over time that can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. From population-based studies it is estimated that in the United States 8,000-10,000 deaths occur each year due to HCV-related chronic liver disease. Moreover, Hepatitis C is the main cause of about half of the estimated 10,000 liver transplants in Europe and the United States each year. A major complication of liver transplantation in HCV-patients is re-infection of the graft by HCV. Studies conducted in several laboratories support the rationale for using antibodies to prevent liver infection or re-infection with HCV.
SOURCE: Genmab
Post Views: 148
Announced today its fully human antibody HuMax-HepC™ 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.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark | May 21, 2007 | Genmab A/S (CSE: GEN) announced today its fully human antibody HuMax-HepC™ 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.
"We are pleased to present this pre-clinical data which indicates that HuMax-HepC may provide effective protection against HCV infection of human hepatocytes in vivo," said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.
This data will be presented today at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases’ (AASLD) Digestive Disease Week® in Washington, DC, USA.
About HuMax-HepC
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.
About Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Worldwide more than 170 million people are chronically infected with HCV, including approximately 3.9 million in the United States and 8.9 million in Europe. Most infected people develop increasing liver fibrosis over time that can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. From population-based studies it is estimated that in the United States 8,000-10,000 deaths occur each year due to HCV-related chronic liver disease. Moreover, Hepatitis C is the main cause of about half of the estimated 10,000 liver transplants in Europe and the United States each year. A major complication of liver transplantation in HCV-patients is re-infection of the graft by HCV. Studies conducted in several laboratories support the rationale for using antibodies to prevent liver infection or re-infection with HCV.
SOURCE: Genmab
Post Views: 148
