Therapeutic area |
Cancer, age-related macular degeneration (wet variant) |
Goal |
To develop therapeutic recombinant antibody fragments and IgG-like molecules for diseases characterized by abnormal and excessive angiogenesis. |
Description |
Excessive angiogenesis is in the basis of important human diseases, cancer and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD, wet variant) among them. Antibodies that neutralize the pro-angiogenic effects of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) have already proven to be clinically effective in some of these settings. We have developed novel, fully human antibody fragments and full IgG-like molecules that bind to VEGF through a novel site, not previously reported as important to achieve a final neutralization effect of this angiogenic factor. The original binding site of these recombinant antibodies were obtained from a human scFv phage display library constructed in our center. Our antibody fragments and full IgG-like molecules inhibit the growth of HuVEC cells when incubated with the stimulatory VEGF. These molecules also inhibit the growth of human tumors in nude mice.
Due to their characteristics and biological activity, the anti-VEGF recombinant antibody fragment of the scFv type, produced in E coli, is being developed for the possible treatment of AMD, and the full IgG-like molecule, secreted by mammalian cells, for cancer therapy.
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Patent Status |
Patent filed in Cuba in 2006, and extended to PCT in November 2007. |
Project Status |
Proof of concept in animals being extended. Recombinant antibody fragment and
IgG-like molecule are beginning the development phase.
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Type of collaboration requested |
Corporate partnership.
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Competitives advantages Milestones |
Experience in antibody genetic engineering and experimental oncology, highly skilled staff. Milestones to be developed jointly with the partner.
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Host Insitutions |
Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB). Ave 31, e/158 y 190 Cubanacán, Playa. PO Box 6996, La Habana, 10600, Cuba. Tel. (53-7) 2712397; 2716022. Fax. (53-7) 2736008; 2718070. E -mail: ernesto.lopez@cigb.edu.cu
Web site: http://gndp.cigb.edu.cu
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Project code:
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BIO/CIGB/2008-9
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