Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has been linked to the widespread outbreaks of respiratory illness and acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in the United States and Europe in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Although EV-D68 is now the most frequently encountered enterovirus (41.1% of cases), with an estimated global prevalence of 4%, there are no specific, FDA-approved therapeutic interventions targeting this virus.

Researchers at the Vaccine Research Center (VRC) of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) have identified four monoclonal antibodies that potently bind and neutralize multiple subclades of EV-D68, including B3 and A2 variants. Animal studies have indicated that these Rhesus macaque-derived monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are likely to confer protection against respiratory illness in young children (particularly those under age 5) and in individuals with respiratory or immunocompromising conditions. Analyses conducted using standard techniques such as cryo-EM have enabled the inventors to further characterize the epitopes of two unique EV-D68-specific antibodies, suggesting the value of this technology for developing multi-specific approaches that confer broad protection against EV-D68.

Humanization and combination of these mAbs with other antibodies exhibiting unique epitope specificities may prove beneficial for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes, especially within the context of a broader pandemic preparedness program. Further, these antibodies could be incorporated into diagnostic assays/kits for the rapid and accurate detection of EV-D68 in clinical or non-clinical settings.

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