Integrated BioTherapeutics given 5-year r&d grant
US-based Integrated BioTherapeutics (IBT), has received a five-year, NIH research grant to develop human antibody therapeutics against staphylococcal enterotoxin B, a bacterial-derived toxin from Staphylococcus aureus.
US-based Integrated BioTherapeutics (IBT), has received a five-year, NIH research grant to develop human antibody therapeutics against staphylococcal enterotoxin B, a bacterial-derived toxin from Staphylococcus aureus.
The project is a continuation of a biodefence-related project initiated in September 2006 by USAMRIID, an organisation of the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, using custom monoclonal antibody services from AbD Serotec, a division of MorphoSys, of Germany.
Under the terms of the agreement, IBT will use a selection of HuCAL-based antibodies originally generated by AbD Serotec against staphylococcal eneterotoxin B in in vitro and in vivo experiments to identify lead neutralising candidates.
Staphylococcal enterotoxins are involved in a variety of human pathologies ranging from hospital and community-acquired infections, sepsis and toxic shock syndrome to atopic dermatitis. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B is also considered a potential agent of bioterrorism. Currently no vaccines or immunotherapeutics are available against staphylococcal toxins or S. aureus infections.
The research collaboration between IBT and AbD Serotec follows a novel paradigm in the fight against these pathogens by targeting toxins released by bacteria which can distract the immune system and cause massive and even fatal damage.
"This grant allows us to continue a very promising project initiated by USAMRIID and AbD Serotec," said Dr M Javad Aman, president and cso of IBT. "IBT is extremely pleased to have access to AbD's unique technology for developing antibodies with therapeutic potential in this important medical area."