Medimmune Limited

The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

Jose Casas-Finet

Guillermo Tous

Mark Schenerman

Ziping Wei

David Pfarr

Herren Wu

Melissa Marie Damschroder

William Dall'Acqua

Louis E Henderson

Robert J Fisher

Alan Rein

Matthew Fivash

Jinhua Feng

William Dall'acqua

The present invention relates to novel respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F peptides and compositions comprising them. The present invention also relates to methods of evaluating anti-RSV antibody binding to F peptides. The present invention also relates to antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an F peptide of the present invention. The invention further provides methods and protocols for the administration of F peptides and/or antibodies that immunospecifically bind to F peptides for the prevention, neutralization, treatment of RSV infection. Additionally, the methods of the invention may be useful for the treatment, prevention and the amelioration of symptoms associated with RSV infection.

Antibodies against and methods for producing vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus

The present invention relates to novel molecules (Fc variants) comprising at least one antigen binding region and an Fc region that further comprises a modified hinge which alters the binding of Fc to one or more Fc ligand (e.g., Fc&#x3b3;Rs) and/or modulates effector function. More specifically, this invention provides Fc variants that have modified binding affinity to one or more Fc&#x3b3;R and/or C1q. Additionally, the Fc variants have altered antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and/or complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) activity. The invention further provides methods and protocols for the application of said Fc variants particularly for therapeutic purposes.

Modulation of antibody effector function by hinge domain engineering

The present invention provides stabilized immunoglobulin molecules that have increased storage stability and/or in vivo half-lives due to the mutation of one or more amino acids that would otherwise render the immunoglobulin molecules susceptible to degradation. In a preferred embodiment, the stabilized immunoglobulins of the invention have mutations at the heavy chain constant domain hinge region. Such stabilized immunoglobulin molecules, i.e., immunoglobulin molecules with increased storage stability have one or more of the following advantages they are more readily transported and/storable for longer periods and/or less stringent conditions than non-stabilized counterparts; that smaller amounts and or less frequent dosing is required in the therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic use of such stabilized molecules.

Stabilized immunoglobulins

The invention provides oligonucleotides which bind to retroviral nucleocapsid proteins with high affinity, molecular decoys for retroviral nucleocapsid proteins which inhibit viral replication, targeted molecules comprising high affinity oligonucleotides, assays for selecting test compounds, and related kits.

Oligonucleotides which specifically bind retroviral nucleocapsid proteins

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Gaithersburg, MD, United States of America

Jose Casas-Finet