# Development of broadly neutralizing antibodies to treat hantavirus infections

> **NIH NIH R43** · ICHOR BIOLOGICS, LLC · 2020 · $55,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Hantaviruses are an emerging family of highly pathogenic viruses that cause 100-200,000 cases of two severe
febrile illnesses a year; Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal
syndrome (HFRS). While the annual incidence of infections are relatively low compared to other viral
infections, some hantavirus strains are particularly deadly, causing a 35-40% mortality rate in otherwise
healthy young adults. In fact, because of their high mortality rates hantaviruses are considered a potential
bioterrorism agent by the NIH, CDC and the Department of Defense. Coupled with the fact that there is no
virus-specific treatment or globally approved vaccine to protect against infections, these emerging viruses
represent a considerable threat to global public health. While there is no virus-specific treatment, evidence
indicates that neutralizing antibodies (Abs) can control hantavirus infections in humans. Studies also show that
some HFRS and HCPS patients possess Abs that can cross-neutralize heterologous strains. Thus, we
hypothesize that some HPCS and HFRS convalescent patients evolve Abs that can broadly neutralize multiple
hantavirus strains. Ichor Biologics has developed a platform for the isolation of naturally-occurring human
monoclonal Abs (mAbs), which we have used to isolate several hundred hantavirus-specific mAbs from a
cohort of HCPS convalescent patients. In characterizing these patients, we observed that some patients
developed Abs that recognized a heterologous strain, suggesting that some patients may possess Abs that
broadly neutralize multiple hantavirus strains. Therefore, the Product to be developed is a broadly neutralizing
Ab(s) therapeutic to treat HCPS and HFRS caused by hantavirus infections. To examine the feasibility of this
product, in aim 1 we will screen the hundreds of mAbs previously isolated from HCPS patients for their
capacity to neutralize multiple hantavirus strains. This screen will be facilitated by a BSL2-safe, rapid
hantavirus neutralization assay developed by Ichor Biologics. Since viruses can acquire mutations that allow
them to evade Ab responses, in aim 2, we will determine the functional epitopes bound by any broadly
neutralizing Abs in order to identify the Abs that can be combined into a therapeutic cocktail. These studies will
determine the potential for developing a broadly neutralizing Ab-based therapeutic from hantavirus
convalescent patients and accelerate the commercialization of any therapeutic for use in the clinic. Considering
the high safety and efficacy profiles of biologics, plus our strong positioning in the hantavirus space (e.g. strong
scientific, legal and business advisors, and Chilean government funding), we are uniquely situated to
successfully develop and commercialize a broadly neutralizing Ab(s) therapeutic to treat HCPS and HFRS
caused by hantavirus infections.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10088067
- **Project number:** 3R43AI138740-01A1S1
- **Recipient organization:** ICHOR BIOLOGICS, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Raymond Alvarez
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $55,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-05-03 → 2020-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10088067

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10088067, Development of broadly neutralizing antibodies to treat hantavirus infections (3R43AI138740-01A1S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10088067. Licensed CC0.

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