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Theraclone to use I-STAR technology to discover therapeutic antibodies against Ebola virus

US-based biopharmaceutical firm Theraclone and BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) will collaborate in a project to identify potential therapeutic antibodies against the Ebola virus using I-STAR, the company’s powerful human memory B-cell interrogation platform.

Ebola virus virion

I-STAR technology can rapidly screen antibodies from survivors of Ebola to uncover those with exceptional biologic activity that may lead to the development of a therapeutic antibody.

BVGH, which was instrumental in forming a consortium of Ebola experts for the endeavor, will be responsible for the management of the project in collaboration with Theraclone.

Theraclone chief executive officer Clifford Stocks said: "Our platform offers a comprehensive and rapid means to identify fully human immunotherapies for even the most difficult-to-treat infectious diseases, such as Ebola.

"This Ebola project expands upon the multitude of ongoing partnerships we have with our I-STAR technology demonstrating its broad applicability across diverse areas, including oncology, HIV and other infectious diseases."

In order to fund the initial screening and development efforts, Theraclone will receive about $4.4m in a Series C financing, which includes an investment from the Wellcome Trust along with existing investors.

BVGH president Jennifer Dent said: "Ebola, like many infectious diseases, is now a global threat. New collaborative approaches with researchers and clinicians from impacted countries, disease experts, and antibody therapeutic scientists from biotechnology companies are desperately needed to develop new and effective products."


Image: Electron micrograph of an Ebola virus virion. Photo: courtesy of CDC/Cynthia Goldsmith.