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Kirin Unit Develops Fully Human Antibody for Flu Prevention

Posted on: Sunday, 18 December 2005, 21:00 CST

Tokyo, Dec. 18 (Jiji Press)--Kirin Brewery Co. said Sunday that a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary has developed a novel, fully human monoclonal antibody useful in preventing infection with and treating influenza.

In preliminary in vitro and in vivo studies implemented by the San Diego, California-based unit, called Gemini Science Inc., the antibody to the M2 protein of influenza A acted against a wide range of human and avian influenza strains, including the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, Kirin said.

Gemini Science has already filed for a patent for the achievement and has initiated preclinical studies for the human antibody in the run-up to the commencement of human clinical trials.

Gemini Science is the world's first entity to confirm a fully human antibody's disease prevention effects, according to Kirin officials. Influenza A accounts for about 85 pct of all human flu cases.

In the in vitro studies, the human antibody bound to a broad range of M2 peptide analogs tested, including those corresponding to the M2 sequence of the H5N1 strain, Kirin said. In the in vivo studies, the antibody helped curb the death of influenza A-infected mice, and also dramatically inhibited virus replication in the lung of the mice, the firm said.

The studies were conducted jointly with the San Diego-based La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology.END

Source: Jiji Press English News Service

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