Courier Challenges Two Global Infectious Diseases, Gates Foundation and Vir Team Up to Develop Neutralizing Antibodies

▎WuXi AppTec Content Team Editor A few days ago, Vir Biotechnology announced the expansion of its partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to advance innovative platform technologies for HIV treatment and malaria prevention Provides broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies with a vaccine effect (vaccinal effect)
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New initiatives related to the collaboration include a proof-of-concept clinical trial designed to evaluate the potential utility of Vir broadly neutralizing antibodies in inhibiting viral replication and transmission in HIV-infected individuals, as well as their ability to produce vaccine-like effects (in Durable suppression of HIV without antiretroviral therapy)
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The parties also plan to conduct additional preclinical studies to evaluate the potential role of the technology in preventing malaria
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The concept of antibodies with vaccine characteristics is currently being applied to Vir's pipeline of candidates for the treatment of 2019-nCoV, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and influenza A (H1N1)
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To support these efforts, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will make a $40 million equity investment in Vir and provide a $10 million research grant
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Although some current treatments for HIV infection, such as antiretroviral therapy, can reduce the viral load of HIV, they cannot completely eliminate it
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Once treatment is stopped, the virus can return, causing serious health problems and patients suffering from long-term medication
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Image source: Researchers at 123RFVir and The Rockefeller University have modified the Fc end of antibodies to not only provide "passive immunity", but also endow them with the ability to promote dendritic cells (dendritic cells) and activate CD8-positive T cells.
ability
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This gives these antibodies a vaccine-like potential to boost active immune responses, potentially further prolonging protection against pathogens
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Related reading: "Nature": Make neutralizing antibodies have vaccine properties? Vir Collaboration Reveals 'Enhanced' Neutralizing Antibody Mechanism "Although HIV has transitioned from a fatal disease to a chronic disease for those who have access to effective antiretroviral therapy, there is no need for antiretroviral therapy in HIV.
There remains a significant unmet medical need in terms of persistent suppression of
HIV
infection," commented Mike McCune, PhD, HIV Frontiers Program Leader at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, "We are pleased to support the development of this novel vaccine antibody technology
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"We look forward to applying the lessons learned to date with COVID-19, HBV infection and influenza to advance our goal of curing HIV and preventing malaria," said Dr.
George Scangos, CEO of Vir
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"Reference: [1] Vir Biotechnology Launches New Antibody Research Initiative Aimed at a Functional Cure for HIV and Prevention of Malaria.
Retrieved January 13, 2022, from https://investors.
vir.
bio/news-releases/news-release -details/vir-biotechnology-launches-new-antibody-research-initiative Disclaimer: WuXi AppTec's content team focuses on introducing global biomedical health research progress
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Nor does it mean that WuXi AppTec supports or opposes the views in the article
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This article is not a recommendation for treatment plans
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If you need guidance on treatment plans, please go to a regular hospital for treatment
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