Norovirus is a leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea, and foodborne illness worldwide, with 700 million cases and 200,000 deaths occurring each year. Despite decades of work in the field, there are no preventive or therapeutic strategies specifically approved for even the most prevalent forms of human norovirus (i.e., GI, GII genogroups), which are highly contagious and carry an increased risk of severe complications in children, older adults, and those with immunocompromising conditions. 

Researchers at the Vaccine Research Center of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have isolated the first broadly reactive monoclonal antibody against GI genogroup noroviruses (mAbs16E10) using samples from a human blood donor. Results of in vitro and in vivo analyses further supported the antibody’s broad binding and blocking specificity to the entire GI norovirus genogroup, neutralization of the GI.1 type, and abrogation of infection in a non-human primate challenge. These complementary findings highlight the technology as a promising candidate for clinical applications, including prophylaxis for at-risk populations, diagnostics, and the development of candidate vaccines based on the newly discovered epitope.

This technology is available for licensing for commercial development in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 209 and 37 CFR part 404.