Hepatitis C virus E1E2 genes stimulating development of broadly neutralizing antibodies

Unmet Need
185 million people worldwide are infected with Hepatitis C (HCV). It is a major cause of liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent development of potent, oral, interferon-free therapies have improved treatment of HCV significantly, but treatment alone is unlikely to eradicate the disease. There remain the issues of therapy being costly, the possibility of reinfection, and the transmission of drug-resistant HCV. A vaccine may be able to alleviate these issues.
 
Technology Overview
Researchers have identified and cloned 21 hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope genes circulating during acute HCV infection of a human. These gene variants can stimulate development of broadly neutralizing antibodies. These broadly neutralizing antibodies contribute to immune-mediated clearance of infection. This is the first comprehensive set of genes, including transmitted/founder variants, cloned from an individual with immune-mediated clearance of HCV infection. These genes could be used individually or in combination to stimulate development of protective anti-HCV antibodies as part of a prophylactic vaccine again HCV.
 
Stage of Development
Preclinical. The inventors have isolated and characterized antibodies in vitro in detail. In vivo experiments with small lab animals will be performed within 6 months.

Publication
Bailey et al. JCI Insight. 2017 May 4;2(9)

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