# MV2C2 antibody as a new therapeutic for Myasthenia Gravis

> **NIH NIH R43** · MIMIVAX, LLC · 2022 · $463,979

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by muscle weakness, and caused by
autoantibodies, mainly targeting the muscle acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and the muscle specific kinase
(MuSK) in the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). These antibodies are produced by a specific subset of lymphocytes
yet not fully characterized. For this reason, no MG treatment is able to specifically target the cells producing
autoantibodies and current treatments are poorlyeffective and uniformly have adverse effects, which negatively
impact quality of life. Despite being a rare disease, MG is a costly one with a hospitalization expense of half a
billion dollars per year. To overcome this clinical, scientific and socio-economic challenge MimiVax proposes the
development of a new specific therapy, the MV2C2 antibody, that will target the specific subset of cells proving
that they are the ones playing a critical role in the production of autoantibodies. The specific eradication of this
subset of cells will eliminate the presence of autoantibodies and significantly improve the signs and symptoms
of the disease reducing dramatically the adverse effects of the current therapies. To collect data proving the
technical feasibility and the clinical potential of this innovation MimiVax will perform pivotal in vivo studies on
experimental MG animal model to complete the characterization of the new therapeutic agent confirming its
specificity whilst understanding the system in mechanism of action and the pathophysiological changes induced
by it. Furthermore, in vitro studies on MG patients’ lymphocytes will be performed to investigate the cellular and
molecular mechanism of action of the MV2C2 Ab. Finally, MimiVax will proceed with the humanization of the
MV2C2 Ab. These activities aim to de-risk and accelerate the path towards the Phase II activities that include
critical pre-IND safety/toxicology, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics studies that will pave the way
towards pilot trials, IND approval and clinical validation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10546538
- **Project number:** 1R43NS124329-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MIMIVAX, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael J. Ciesielski
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $463,979
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10546538

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10546538, MV2C2 antibody as a new therapeutic for Myasthenia Gravis (1R43NS124329-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10546538. Licensed CC0.

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