A humanized monoclonal antibody targeting Staphylococcus aureus

This current presentation describes the in vitro and in vivo characterization of Aurexis((R)) (tefibazumab), a humanized monoclonal antibody that exhibits a high affinity and specificity and for the Staphylococcus aureus MSCRAMM((R)) (Microbial Surface Components Recognizing Adhesive Matrix Molecules) protein ClfA. Aurexis((R)) inhibited ClfA binding to human fibrinogen, and enhanced the opsonophagocytic uptake of ClfA-coated beads. Preclinical in vivo testing revealed that a single administration of Aurexis((R)) significantly protected against an IV challenge with a methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strain in murine septicemia and rabbit infective endocarditis (IE) models. Safety and pharmacokinetic data from a 19-patient phase I study support continued evaluation of Aurexis((R)) in phase II studies. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.