MedImmune initiates MEDI8897 phase I clinical studies for treatment of RSV infections

Jul 2 2014

AIMM Therapeutics, a leading human therapeutic antibody company, today announced that its partner MedImmune, LLC, the global biologics unit of AstraZeneca, has initiated phase I clinical studies with MEDI8897, a best-in-class antibody for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in young, at risk children. MEDI8897 originated from AIMM's D25 antibody. Under the terms of their partnering agreement, AIMM will receive a non-disclosed milestone payment from MedImmune.

D25 was developed from immortalized B cells of an individual exposed to RSV utilizing AIMM's proprietary antibody technology platform. Preclinical studies have shown that D25 neutralizes RSV with high efficiency by recognizing a unique epitope on the prefusion structure of the F protein expressed on the virus coat.

"MedImmune is the world leader in RSV infection drug development so the validation associated with the initiation of clinical studies with MEDI8897 is very pleasing to see. This milestone is further confirmation of AIMM's unique capabilities to discover exceptional human antibodies, with high therapeutic potency, against biological targets that normally are difficult to address," said Dr. Jan de Vries, AIMM's CEO.

MedImmune's Head of Research Dr. Yong-Jun Liu added: "We are excited that our partnership with AIMM Therapeutics resulted in the development of a powerful RSV antibody aimed at preventing the high morbidity and mortality of RSV infections in young children at risk."