Emergent Product Development Gaithersburg Inc.

Novartis Ag

Fei Wang

Angray Singh Kang

Ritsuko Sawada

Wolfgang Scholz

Ivy Jiang

Jeanne Morrow, Legal Representative

Jennifer Brogdon

Glenn Dranoff

Deborah A Knee

Daniela Cipolletta

The present invention provides antibody compositions, including, e.g., antibodies, engineered antibodies and antibody fragments that bind to a tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member (i.e., 18). Provided compositions are useful in enhancing CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, and in the treatment, amelioration and prevention of diseases that can be counteracted with an augmented immune response, e.g., cancers. Also provided in the invention are polynucleotides and vectors that encode such molecules and host cells that harbor the polynucleotides or vectors; as well as pharmaceutical compositions that comprise such molecules and methods of use thereof.

Compositions and methods of use for augmented immune response and cancer therapy

A highly efficient method for generating human antibodies using recall technology is provided. In one aspect, human antibodies which are specific to the anthrax toxin are provided. In one aspect, human peripheral blood cells that have been pre-exposed to anthrax toxin are used in the SCID mouse model. This method results in high human antibody titers which are primarily of the IgG isotype and which contain antibodies of high specificity and affinity to desired antigens. The antibodies generated by this method can be used therapeutically and prophylactically for preventing or treating mammals exposed to anthrax. Thus, in one embodiment, a prophylactic or therapeutic agent used to counter the effects of anthrax toxin, released as a mechanism of bioterrorism, is provided. In one embodiment, a formulation and method for preventing and/or treating anthrax infection comprising a binding agent that prevents the assembly of the PA63 heptamer is also provided. Methods for diagnosis and methods to determine anthrax contamination are also described.

Antibodies against protective antigen and methods of use for passive immunization and treatment of anthrax

Immunization and treatment methods for anthrax

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Fei Wang