A three-pronged antibody made by researchers at the national institute of health (NIH) and by those of the Sanofi laboratory would protect against HIV. An experiment conducted on macaques showed that the monkeys were protected against two strains of the AIDS virusmuch better than with the natural antibodies from which the modified antibody is derived.
An antibody that neutralizes many strains of the virus
This new antibody is unique in that it binds to three different critical locations in HIV, each of which significantly neutralizes many strains of the virus. “Combinations of antibodies that each bind to a distinct part of HIV can better combat the virus’s defenses. This allows for effective antibody-based treatment and prevention” says Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a branch of the NIH.
Scientists now plan to conduct early-stage clinical trials of this ‘trispecific’ antibody on healthy people and people living with HIV, in hopes it can be used later for HIV prevention and treatment. .
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