# Development of AAV vectors for long-term expression of eCD4-Ig

> **NIH NIH R44** · EMMUNE, INC · 2020 · $999,443

## Abstract

ABSTRACT / SUMMARY / PROJECT DESCRIPTION
A single intramuscular injection of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector that expresses eCD4-Ig has the
potential to treat or prevent HIV-1 infection for a lifetime. eCD4-Ig is a synthetic antibody or “immunoadhesin”
constructed by fusing parts of the viral receptor (CD4) and coreceptor (CCR5) to the constant region of an
antibody. Because eCD4-Ig binds the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) through the same contacts used by
Env to recognize its receptor and coreceptor, eCD4-Ig neutralizes 100% of HIV-1 isolates and presents
fundamental barriers to viral escape. We have previously shown that rhesus macaques inoculated with AAV
expressing eCD4-Ig exhibited sterilizing protection against high-dose intravenous challenges with simian-
human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV). Now, we propose several practical innovations designed to maximize
the concentrations of eCD4-Ig in plasma that are sustained over the long term by AAV-transduced muscle.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9979748
- **Project number:** 5R44AI134269-04
- **Recipient organization:** EMMUNE, INC
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL DAVID ALPERT
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $999,443
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9979748

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9979748, Development of AAV vectors for long-term expression of eCD4-Ig (5R44AI134269-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9979748. Licensed CC0.

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