NIDDK Scientists Detect New Epitope On HIV-1 Protein Gp41 Using AbD Serotec-generated Recombinant Mini-Antibody

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 09 Jan 2008 - 14:00 PDT

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AbD Serotec, a division of MorphoSys AG, announced the publication of a scientific research paper from one of its customers. Scientists working in the team of Drs. Clore and Bewley at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH), have detected a new epitope on the HIV-Protein gp41 using antibodies generated by AbD Serotec from the MorphoSys HuCAL GOLD antibody library and demonstrated the antibody's capability to neutralize diverse laboratory-adapted B-strains of HIV-1 and primary isolates of subtypes A, B and C. Their results have been published in the Journal of Virology.

The ability of HIV to escape a neutralizing immune response has been a major challenge of the vaccine development effort. To date, only four potent and broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies derived from infected patients have been reported but escape mutants of HIV have been described. Using a chimeric version of HIV-1 protein gp41 provided by Dr. G. Marius Clore for antibody selection, AbD Serotec successfully selected the first broadly neutralizing recombinant mini-antibody. The synthetically derived Fab-fragment targets a new epitope on the HIV-1 protein gp41 which is a potential target for therapeutic intervention being crucial in the process of envelope mediated cell fusion between virus and victim cell.

To view an abstract of the Journal of Virology paper "A Monoclonal Fab Derived From a Human Non-Immune Phage Library Reveals a New Epitope on gp41 and Neutralizes Diverse HIV-1 Strains" please visit http://www.pubmed.com.

About AbD Serotec

AbD Serotec is the research antibody division of MorphoSys, one of the world's leading human antibody technology companies with sales offices in Germany (Munich), the U.S. (Raleigh, NC), the U.K. (Oxford) and France. AbD Serotec's comprehensive product catalog comprises more than 10,000 research antibodies and immunology reagents guaranteed to perform to specification, with the majority in stock for next-day shipping. Custom monoclonal antibodies for research applications can be generated in just 8 weeks using fully recombinant HuCAL technology from MorphoSys.

Additionally, AbD Serotec offers ISO-certified large-scale antibody production and a range of customized services including antibody conjugations for end-users and OEM customers. A comprehensive metasearch of the entire AbD Serotec range of ready-made antibodies can be performed at http://www.ab-direct.com.

Disclaimer

This communication contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the MorphoSys group of companies. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the judgment of MorphoSys as of the date of this release and involve risks and uncertainties. Should actual conditions differ from the Company's assumptions, actual results and actions may differ from those anticipated. MorphoSys does not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements as far as the wording of the relevant press release is concerned.
HuCAL(R) and HuCAL GOLD(R) are registered trademarks of MorphoSys AG.

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