September 5, 2007

   

Notice of Launching Anti HIV Monoclonal Antibody


 

We hereby announce that TRANS GENIC INC. (hereinafter referred to as q�weq�) have released anti HIV-1(gp120) monoclonal antibody (*1,*2) (hereinafter referred to as q㏄he antibodyq�) developed by our unique GANP®Mouse Technology (*3) on September 5, 2007.


The antibody has been developed under the project q㌧evelopment of basic technologies for discovering therapeutic antibodies using GANP mice, which produce high-affinity antibodies ?modeled on anti-AIDS drugsq�. The theme was adopted for the FY2002 supplementary budget program q⑧rant for Practical Application of University R&D Result under the Matching Fund Method (R&D) / Grant for Feasibility Study of University Projects under the Matching Fund Method (F/S)q� by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, know as NEDO.q� The antibody was revealed to have a high-affinity characteristic with a neutralizing activity against HIV-1 infection in vitro. Kumamoto Technology and Industry Foundation (herein after referred to as q㏄he foundationq�) has filed an international application for a patent (q㌢nti HIV antibody (PCT/JP2004/003046)q�).

We have been granted an exclusive license of the patent by the foundation since July 13, 2006 with the aim of promoting a new business using the antibody. Launch of the antibody as a research reagent this time is a part of these achievements.

Usefulness of the GANP®Mouse Technology and the antibody was published in qⅠhe Journal of Immunologyq�, a prestigious scientific journal in the U.S., by Dr. Nobuo Sakaguchi, professor of Faculty of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University.

Reference:
q②doption of the Collaborative Research Projectq� released on April 1st, 2003
q⑮otice of Conclusion of License Agreement for Anti-HIV antibodyq� released on July 13th, 2006

Note:

*1

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

It is a virus which develops AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) by infecting human immune cells. There are two types, HIV-1 and HIV-2.
*2

gp120

gp120 is a glycoprotein exposed on the surface of the HIV envelope.
gp120 binding to CD4 molecules on the surface of immune cells is the most obvious step in HIV-1 infection, therefore preventing the binding leads to preventing HIV-1 infection to immune cells.
*3

GANP®Mouse Technology

This is our unique technology to produce antibodies using q⑧ANP® miceq�, genetically engineered mice whose GANP gene expression is increased. Compared to conventional methods of antibody production, GANP®Mouse Technology can produce higher-affinity and higher-specificity antibodies with a higher success rate. Therefore it is considered that the technology has many advantages in applying it to development of diagnostic reagents and pharmaceuticals.
We regard it as a fundamental technology in our antibody-related technological platforms and promote various businesses utilizing it. For example, we are developing our original products, offering custom production services and granting its license to pharmaceutical companies and diagnostic reagent manufacturers to gain profits from its licensing fees and product royalties.

- What is GANP (Germinal Center Associated Nuclear Protein)?
It is a new nuclear factor increasingly expressed in germinal-center B cells. Dr. Nobuo Sakaguchi of Kumamoto University discovered it.

- What are characteristics of GANP®mice?
Expression of GANP genes in germinal-center B cells is more increased in GANP mice than in normal mice. These GANP proteins cause the genetic alteration of the V regions with increased mutations. Therefore high-affinity and high-specificity antibodies can be produced with a high success rate.

- Reference
Sakaguchi N. et al., J Immunol. 2005 Apr 15;174(8):4485-94.


 
 
 
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