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AIDS vaccines

Breakthrough in HIV Vaccine Development: Rockefeller University Publishes Patented Broadly Neutralizing Antibody

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Rockefeller University has made a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against HIV with the publication of a patented broadly neutralizing antibody that has the potential to prevent HIV infection. The patent, filed on March 6, 2024, and published online on September 30, 2025, describes a non-naturally occurring anti-HIV gp120 antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, which comprises a heavy chain variable region (VH) and a light chain variable region (VL). This innovative approach aims to provide a more effective and targeted treatment for HIV infection.

Key Takeaways:

  • The patented antibody is designed to neutralize HIV virus ZM53M.PB12 at an IC 50 concentration of less than 1.0 mg/ml, and HIV virus R1166.c1 at an IC 50 concentration of less than 1.0 mg/ml, or DU172.17 at an IC 50 concentration of less than 30 mg/ml.
  • The antibody has shown to neutralize a VRC01-resistant HIV virus at an IC 50 concentration of less than 30 mg/ml.
  • The present invention provides a method of producing an isolated HIV antibody comprising one or both of the heavy chain consensus sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and the light chain consensus sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
  • The antibody is formatted for prolonged serum half-life, providing a potential improvement over existing treatments.
  • The patent describes a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence encoding the anti-HIV antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.
  • The present invention further provides a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule, a cultured cell comprising the vector, and a method for making an anti-HIV antibody or a fragment thereof.

Statistics:

  • The IC 50 concentration of less than 1.0 mg/ml indicates a high level of affinity and specificity for the antibody.
  • The antibody is capable of neutralizing multiple strains of HIV, including VRC01-resistant viruses.
  • The patented antibody has the potential to prevent HIV infection in individuals with a broad range of HIV strains.

Sources:

  • Patent: U.S. Patent Number 12428472
  • Inventors: Bjorkman, Pamela J. et al.
  • Publication Date: September 30, 2025
  • Filing Date: March 6, 2024

References:

  • Mascola, 2000
  • Shibata, 1999
  • Veazey, 2003
  • Parren, 2001
  • Mascola, 1999
  • Trkola, 2005
  • Wei, 2003
  • Frost, 2005
  • Burton, 2004
  • Mascola, 2007
  • Karlsson Hedestam, 2008
  • McMichael, 2006
  • Zolla-Pazner, 2004

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