Theraclone Sciences Technology Uncovers Rare Anti-Influenza Antibodies

Via Business Wire :

" Scientists have identified a new, highly conserved molecular target on the influenza A virus and demonstrated that human antibodies against this target are protective in animal models of seasonal and highly-pathogenic avian influenza. The work was conducted by researchers at Theraclone Sciences, with collaborators at University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Tokyo and Johns Hopkins University; and is reported this week in the online Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Each year in the United States, 5% to 20% of the population is infected with influenza virus, and over 200,000 people are hospitalized as a result of influenza-related complications. Of the different types of influenza virus, influenza A viruses typically cause more serious infections and also pandemics, with potentially severe impacts on global health. Current preventative and therapeutic approaches are only partially effective due to the ability of influenza viruses to multiply and mutate rapidly, making it difficult to identify a universal target for an anti-viral agent. "