Title of Invention

"HUMAN MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AGAINST HUMAN IL-4"

Abstract Antibodies which are specific for human interleukin-4 and their use in the treatment of IL-4 and/or IgE mediated diseases.
Full Text HUMAN MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AGAINST HUMAN IL-4
The present invention relates to antibodies which are specific for human interleukin-4 (hlL-4).
Allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma and food allergies are
characteristically associated with exacerbated Th2 cell responses to innocuous environmental
antigens (allergens). Allergens are captured by antigen presenting cells, processed and presented
in the context of MHC Class II molecules to allergen-specific T helper (Th) cells. Allergen specific
Th cells belong to the Th2 phenotype and develop from precursor T cells under the influence of
interleukin-4 (IL-4). Once Th2 cells are activated, they secrete IL-4 and interleukin-13 (IL-13),
which together with surface bound signals induce B cells to switch to IgE producing plasma cells.
IgE molecules bind to high affinity FceR on mast cells and, after subsequent encounter with
allergen, induce mast cell activation and the release of mediators of allergic reactions. Th2
cytokines also promote the survival of eosinophils and the growth of mast cells which, after
degranulation, also release additional Th2 cytokines capable of augmenting IgE production, Th2
cell differentiation and eosinophil survival. Thus, Th2 cells play a pivotal role in the induction and
development of allergic responses and therefore, antagonizing their development and/or their
effector functions would be an efficient way to intervene in allergic responses.
IL-4 and IL-13 share many biological activities due to the fact that both cytokines use the IL-4
receptor (IL-4R)-alpha chain as a component of their respective receptor complexes. IL-13 signals
through an heterodimeric complex consisting of an IL-13 binding chain (IL-13Ra1) and the IL-4Ra
chain. IL-4 utilizes this IL-4Ra/IL-13Ra1 complex, called type IIIL-4R, as an alternative to the type
IIL-4R, consisting of IL-4Ra chain and the common y chain (cy) shared by receptors for IL-2, IL-4,
IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). Because T cells do not express
IL-13Ra1, IL-13 in contrast to IL-4 does not support T cell proliferation and cannot induce the
differentiation of naive human Th cells towards the Th2 phenotype (see e.g. J. E. de Vries et al.,
Encyclopedia of Hormones and related cell regulators, Academic Press, 2002). IL-4 plays a pivotal
role in T cell proliferation and thus in the development and maintenance of allergic diseases.
IL-4 gene deficient mice or mice lacking IL-4 (see e.g. Kuhn R. et al., Science, 1991 (5032) 707:10)
or the downstream signaling factor STAT6 (see e.g. Kaplan M.H. et al., Immunity, 1996 (3) 313-9)
do not develop significant numbers of Th2 cells and have reduced IgE responses.
We have now found antibodies with a high affinity for human IL-4 and a strong inhibitory potential
of IL-4 mediated IgE synthesis by naive human B cells.
In one aspect the present invention provides an human IL-4 specific antibody which binds to
human IL-4 with a dissociation constant Kd of equal or less than 800 pM, such as e.g. equal or less
than 200 pM.
In another aspect the present invention provides an antibody having a first domain comprising in
sequence the hypervariable regions CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 and a second domain comprising in
sequence the hypervariable regions CDR1', CDR2' and CDR3' selected from the group consisting
of an antibody wherein
a) said CDR1 has the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Thr-Phe-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Ala-Met-His
(GFTFSSYAMH),
said CDR2 has the amino acid sequence Phe-lle-Trp-Asp-Asp-Gly-Ser-Phe-Lys-Tyr-Tyr-Ala-
Glu-Ser-Val-Lys-Gly(FIWDDGSFKYYAESVKG),
said CDR3 has the amino acid sequence Glu-Gly-Ser-Trp-Ser-Pro-Asp-lle-Phe
(EGSWSPDIF),
said CDR1' has the amino acid sequence Ser-Gln-Gly-lle-Ser-Arg-Ala (SQGISRA),
said CDR2' has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ala-Ser (DAS),
said CDR3' has the amino acid sequence Phe-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Pro-lle (FNSYPI),
b) said CDR1 has the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Thr-Leu-Ser-Ser-Phe-Gly-Met-His
(GFTLSSFGMH),
said CDR2 has the amino acid sequence Val-lle-Trp-Tyr-Asp-Gly-Ser-Asn-Glu-Tyr-Tyr-Ala-Asp-
Ser-Val-Lys-Gly(VIWYDGSNEYYADSVKG),
said CDR3 has the amino acid sequence Glu-Gly-Ser-Trp-Ser-Pro-Asp-lle-Phe
(EGSWSPDIF),
said CDR1' has the amino acid sequence Ser-Gln-Gly-lle-Arg-Ser-Ala (SQGIRSA),
said CDR2' has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ala-Ser (DAS),
said CDR3' has the amino acid sequence Phe-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Pro-Val (FNSYPV),
c) said CDR1 has the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Thr-Leu-Ser-Ser-Tyr-GIy-Met-His
(GFTLSSYGMH),
said CDR2 has the amino acid sequence Val-lle-Trp-Tyr-Asp-Gly-Asn-Asn-Gln-Tyr-Tyr-Ala-Asp-
Ser-Val-Lys-Gly(VIWYDGNNQYYADSCKG),
said CDR3 has the amino acid sequence Glu-Gly-Ser-Trp-Ser-Pro-Asp-lle-Phe
(EGSWSPDIF),
said CDR11 has the amino acid sequence Ser-Gln-Gly-lle-Ser-Ser-Tyr (SQGISSY),
said CDR2' has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ala-Ser (DAS),
said CDR31 has the amino acid sequence Phe-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Pro (FNSYP),
d) said CDR1 has the amino acid sequence Gly-Asp-Thr-Phe-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Ala-lle-Ser
(GDTFSSYAIS),
said CDR2 has the amino acid sequence Gly-lle-lle-lle-Pro-Val-lle-Gly-Thr-Val-Asn-Tyr-Glu-Glu-
Arg-Phe-Gln-Asp-Arg(GIIIPVIGTVNYEERFQD).
said CDR3 has the amino acid sequence Glu-Glu-Gly-Phe-Leu (EEGFL),
said CDR1' has the amino acid sequence Ser-Gln-Gly-lle-Ser-Ser-Ala (SQGISSA),
said CDR2' has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ala-Ser (DAS),
said CDR31 has the amino acid sequence Phe-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Pro-Leu (FNSYPL),
e) said CDR1 has the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Thr-Phe-Ser-Cys-Cys-Gly-Met-His
(GFTFSCCGMH),
said CDR2 has the amino acid sequence Val-lle-Trp-Tyr-Asp-Gly-Ser-Asn-Lys-Tyr-Tyr-Ala-Asp-
Ser-Val-Lys-Gly(VIWYDGSNKYYADSVKG),
said CDR3 has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ser-Ser-Gly-Ser-Phe-Tyr-Glu-Tyr-Phe
(DSSGSFYEYF),
said CDR1' has the amino acid sequence Ser-Gln-Gly-lle-Asn-Ser-Ala (SQGINSA),
said CDR2' has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ala-Ser (DAS),
said CDR31 has the amino acid sequence Phe-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Pro-Tyr (FNSYPY), and
f) said CDR1 has the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Thr-Phe-Ser-Gly-Tyr-Gly-Met-His
(GFTFSGYGMH),
said CDR2 has the amino acid sequence Val-Val-Trp-Tyr-Asp-Gly-Gly-Tyr- Lys- Phe-Tyr-Ala-
Asp-Ser-Val-Lys-Gly(WWYDGGYKFYADSVKG),
said CDR3 has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ser-Ser-Gly-Ser-Phe-Tyr-Glu-Tyr-Leu
(DSSGSFYEYL),
said CDR1' has the amino acid sequence Ser-Gln-Gly-lle-Ser-Ser-Ala (SQGISSA),
said CDR2' has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ala-Ser (DAS),
said CDR31 has the amino acid sequence Phe-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Pro-His (FNSYPH).
CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are part of the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of such antibody
and CDRT, CDR2' and CDR3' are part of the amino acid sequence of the light chain of such
antibody.
We also have found an antibody comprising:
- the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:1 and the
amino acid sequence of the light chain of a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, or
- the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:9 and the
amino acid sequence of the light chain of a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:10, or
- the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 17 and the
amino acid sequence of the light chain of a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:18, or
- the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:25 and the
amino acid sequence of the light chain of a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:26, or
- the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:33 and the
amino acid sequence of the light chain of a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:34, or
- the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:41 and the
amino acid sequence of the light chain of a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:42.
In a further aspect the present invention provides an antibody comprising
a) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:1 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, or
b) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:9 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:10, or
c) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 17 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 18, or
d) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:25 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:26, or
e) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:33 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:34, or
f) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:41 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:42.
We further have found an antibody comprising:
- the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:1 further containing a
leader sequence (= SEQ ID NO:3) and the amino acid sequence of the light chain of a
polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 further containing a leader sequence (= SEQ ID NO:4), or
- the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:9 further containing a
leader sequence (= SEQ ID NO: 11) and the amino acid sequence of the light chain of a
polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:10 further containing a leader sequence (= SEQ ID NO:12), or
- the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:17 further containing
a leader sequence (= SEQ ID NO: 19) and the amino acid sequence of the light chain of a
polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 18 further containing a leader sequence (= SEQ ID NO:20), or
- the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:25 further containing
a leader sequence (= SEQ ID NO:27) and the amino acid sequence of the light chain of a
polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:26 further containing a leader sequence (= SEQ ID NO:28), or
- the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:33 further containing
a leader sequence (= SEQ ID NO:35) and the amino acid sequence of the light chain of a
polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:34 further containing a leader sequence (= SEQ ID NO:36), or
- the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:41 further containing
a leader sequence (= SEQ ID NO:43) and the amino acid sequence of the light chain of a
polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:42 further containing a leader sequence (= SEQ ID NO:44).
In a further aspect the present invention provides an antibody comprising
a) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:3 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4, or
b) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:11 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:12. or
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c) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:19 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:20, or
d) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:27 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:28, or
e) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:35 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:36, or
f) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:43 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:44.
Antibodies provided by the present invention are hereinafter also designated as "compound(s) of
(according to) the present invention".
In another aspect the present invention provides a compound of the present invention which is
selected from the group consisting of an human IL-4 specific monoclonal antibody (hll_-4 mAb), a
fragment thereof and an analog thereof.
An hlL-4 mAb is an antibody which specifically recognizes human IL-4, i.e. includes antigen
binding sites specific for human IL-4, and which has specifically its CDRs but also other parts of
the heavy and light chain derived from human immunoglobulins.
The antibody may be of any isotype including lgG1, lgG2, IgGS and lgG4, preferably of isotype
lgG1.
"A fragment thereof means a part of the heavy and light chain variable sequence of a hlL-4 mAb,
which retains the same antigen binding specificity and/or neutralizing ability as the molecule from
which the fragments are derived, e.g. a Fab fragment or a F(ab')2 fragment derived from hlL-
mAb.
A Fab fragment contains the entire light chain and amino terminal portions of the heavy chain; a
F(ab")2 fragment is the fragment formed by 2 Fab fragments bound by disulfide bonds. Such
fragments can be obtained by conventional means, e.g. cleavage of the monoclonal antibodies
with the appropriate proteolytic enzymes, papain and/or pepsin, or by recombinant methods, and
the fragments themselves are useful as therapeutic and/or prophylactic agents.
"An analog thereof means a hlL-4 mAb with an amino acid sequence which is modified by at least
one amino acid outside of the CDR regions, e.g. outside of CDR1, CDR2 and CDRS of the heavy
chain or outside of CDR1', CDR2' and CDR3' of the light chain. Said modification includes a
chemical modification, a substitution or a rearrangement of one or a few amino acids, i.e. no more
than 10 amino acids, which modification permits the amino acid sequence to retain the biological
characteristics, e.g. antigen specificity and affinity, of the unmodified sequence. For example silent
mutations can be constructed via substitution to create endonuclease restriction sites within or
surrounding the CDR regions.
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An analog may also arise as allelic variation. An "allelic variation or modification" is an alteration in
the nucleic acid sequence encoding an antibody of the present invention outside of the CDR
regions. Such alterations or modifications may be due to the degeneracies of the genetic code or
may be liberately engineered to provide desired characteristics. Such variations or modifications
may or may not result in alterations in any encoded amino acid sequence, but retain the biological
activities, e.g. antigen specificity and affinity.
We have also found polynucleotides encoding compounds of the present invention.
In another aspect the present invention provides isolated polynucleotides comprising
polynucleotides encoding a compound of the present invention.
In another aspect the present invention provides polynucleotides encoding the amino acid
sequence of CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 of a compound of the present invention and polynucleotides
encoding the amino acid sequence of CDR1', CDR2' and CDR3' of a compound of the present
invention.
In another aspect the present invention provides polynucleotides comprising
a) a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:5 and a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:6, or
b) a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:13 and a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:14, or
c) a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:21 and a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:22, or
d) a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:29 and a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:30, or
e) a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:37 and a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:38, or
f) a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:45 and a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:46.
In another aspect the present invention provides polynucleotides encoding
a) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:7 and SEQ ID NO:8, or
b) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:15 and SEQ ID NO:16, or
c) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:23 and SEQ ID NO:24, or
d) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:31 and SEQ ID NO:32, or
e) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:39 and SEQ ID NO:40, or
0 a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:47 and SEQ ID NO:48.
SEQ ID NO:5 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.
SEQ ID NO:6 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
SEQ ID NO:7 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3.
SEQ ID NO:8 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4.
SEQ ID NO:13 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:9.
SEQ ID NO: 14 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10.
SEQ ID NO: 15 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ IDNO:11.
SEQ ID NO: 16 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12.
SEQ ID NO:21 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17.
SEQ ID NO:22 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18.
SEQ ID NO:23 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19.
SEQ ID NO:24 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20.
SEQ ID NO:29 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:25.
SEQ ID NO:30 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26.
SEQ ID NO:31 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:27.
SEQ ID NO:32 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28.
SEQ ID NO:37 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:33.
SEQ ID NO:38 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34.
SEQ ID NO:39 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:35.
SEQ ID NO:40 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36.
SEQ ID NO:45 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41.
SEQ ID NO:46 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42.
SEQ ID NO:47 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:43.
SEQ ID NO:48 is a polynucleotide encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44.
A compound of the present invention may be produced by recombinant DNA techniques. Thus,
one or more DNA molecules encoding the antibody, a fragment thereof or an analog thereof may
be constructed, placed under appropriate control sequences in an appropriate vector and
transferred into a suitable host (organism) for expression. The compound of the present invention
may be obtained according, e.g. analogously, to a method as conventional together with the
information provided herein, e.g. with the knowledge of the amino acid sequence of the
hypervariable and/or variable regions and the polynucleotides encoding these regions. A method
for constructing a variable domain gene is e.g. described in EP 239 400 and may be briefly
summarized as follows:
A replicable expression vector including a suitable promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide
sequence of interest, e.g. encoding at least a variable domain of an immunoglobulin heavy or light
chain comprising CDRs, is prepared, a suitable cell line is transformed with said expression vector,
the transformed cell line is cultured and the corresponding immunoglobulin is obtained.
In another aspect the present invention provides an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide
encoding a compound of the present invention, e.g. at least one polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:5,
SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID No:8, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ
ID No:16, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID No:24, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID
NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID No:40, SEQ ID NO:45, SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:47 or SEQ ID
No:48.
Naturally an expression vector can comprise more than one polynucleotide.
In another aspect the present invention provides
- An expression system comprising a polynucleotide encoding a compound of the present
invention wherein said expression system or part thereof is capable of producing a compound of
the present invention, e.g. a hll_-4 mAb, when said expression system or part thereof is present
in a compatible host cell; and
- An isolated host cell comprising an expression system as defined above.
Expression vectors, e.g. comprising suitable promoter(s) and genes encoding heavy and light
chain constant parts are known, e.g. and are commercially available and include e.g. heavy chain
vector lgG1 and light chain vector human kappa. A conventional expression vector or recombinant
plasmid may be produced by placing the respective polynucleotide in operative association with
conventional regulatory control sequences capable of controlling the replication and expression in,
and/or secretion from, a host cell. Regulatory sequences include promoter sequences, e.g. CMV
promoter, LCK promoter, and appropriate signal sequences.
A selected host cell may be transfected by conventional techniques with the vector of interest to
create a transfected host cell, which then may be cultured by conventional techniques to produce
the compounds of the present invention.
Appropriate cell lines may be found according, e.g. analogously, to a method as conventional.
Appropriate hosts are known or may be found according, e.g. analogously, to a method as
conventional and include cell cultures or transgenic animals.
Suitable host cells or cell lines for the expression of the compounds of the present invention are
preferably eukaryotic cells such as e.g. CHO, COS, a fibroblast cell (e.g. 3T3) and myeloid cells
among others, preferably a mammalian cell, such as a CHO cell or SP2/0.
The compounds of the present invention exhibit pharmacological activity and are therefore useful
as Pharmaceuticals. E.g., the compounds of the present invention interfere strongly with the
binding of IL-4 to an IL-4 receptor and are herein also referred to as IL-4 blocking or neutralizing
compounds of the present invention, including hlL-4 mAb(s). Compounds of the present invention
show activity and their affinity can be determined in the TEST:AFFINITY MEASUREMENT as
described in Example 1.
A compound of the present invention thus shows therapeutic activity against IL-4 and/or IgE
mediated diseases, such as
- various allergic diseases, e.g. including urticaria, allergic reactions to medication, rhinitis, e.g.
allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, e.g. rhinoconjunctivitis, dermatitis, e.g. atopic dermatitis, asthma,
e.g. atopic asthma and allergic asthma, anaphylactic shock;
preferably atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, such as
allergic asthma or atopic dermatitis;
- autoimmune diseases, including e.g. Kawasaki disease, Grave's disease, Sjorgen's syndrome,
autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, autoimmune haemolytic anemia, autoimmune uveitis,
myasthenia gravis, Lupus Erythematosis and Bullous pemphigoid;
- disorders of the digestive system in which IL-4 and/or IgE play a role, including e.g. ulcers, gastric
inflammation, mucosal inflammation, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel
disease and other disorders of the digestive system in which IL-4 and/or IgE play a role;
- diseases wherein IL-4 and/or IgE are overproduced and considered to contribute to pathology,
including e.g. systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), septic arthritis and reactive arthritis.
In another aspect the present invention provides a compound of the present invention, e.g. a hlL-4
mAb, for use as a pharmaceutical, e.g. against IL-4 and/or IgE mediated diseases, e.g. allergic
diseases, e.g. atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, preferably atopic dermatitis.
In another aspect the present invention provides the use of the present invention of a compound of
the present invention which is selected from the group consisting of a hlL-4 mAb, a fragment
thereof and an analog thereof.
For pharmaceutical use a compound of the present invention includes one or more, preferably one,
compounds of the present invention, e.g. a combination of two or more compounds of the present
invention.
In another aspect the present invention provides the use of a compound of the present invention
for the manufacture of a medicament, e.g. a pharmaceutical composition, for the treatment of
diseases mediated by IL-4 and/or IgE, e.g. allergic diseases, e.g. allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic
dermatitis, allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, preferably allergic asthma or atopic dermatitis, such as
atopic dermatitis.
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In a further aspect the present invention provides the use of a compound of the present invention
for the manufacture of a medicament, e.g. a pharmaceutical composition, for the treatment of a
disease as described above, e.g. selected from the group consisting of atopic dermatitis, allergic
asthma and allergic rhinitis.
In a further aspect the present invention provides a compound of the present invention for the uses
as mentioned above, wherein the compound of the present invention is selected from the group
consisting of a hlL-4 mAb, a fragment thereof and an analog thereof.
It has, for example been determined that the affinity constant of a compound of the present
invention, e.g. a hlL-4 mAb, a fragment thereof or an analog thereof, for human IL-4 is equal or
less than 800 pM, e.g. is equal or less than 200 pM, such as of about 30 pM to about 200 pM,
preferably of about 45 pM to about 170 pM, such as about 100 pM, more preferred about 50 pM,
such as about 45 pM.
It has, for example also been determined that the affinity constant of a compound of the present
invention, e.g. a hlL-4 mAb, a fragment thereof or an analog thereof, for human IL-4 is of 30 pM to
200 pM, preferably of 45 pM to 170 pM, such as 100 pM, more preferred 50 pM, such as 45 pM.
It is therefore, indicated that for the treatment of diseases mediated by IL-4, the compounds of the
present invention may be administered to larger mammals, for example humans, by similar modes
of administration at similar dosages than conventionally used with monoclonal antibodies.
In another aspect the present invention provides an antibody which binds to human IL-4 with a
dissociation constant of equal or less than 200 pM, e.g. 30 to 200 pM.
In a further aspect of the present invention the antibody for the uses as mentioned above is a hlL-4
mAb, a fragment thereof or an analog thereof which binds to human IL-4 with a
dissociation constant K In a further aspect the present invention provides a method of treatment of diseases which are
mediated by IL-4 and/or IgE, e.g. allergic diseases, e.g. atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, allergic
rhinitis, preferably atopic dermatitis, which treatment comprises administering to a subject in need
of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of the present invention; e.g. in the form of a
pharmaceutical composition.
In a further aspect of the present invention a compound of the present invention is administered in
combination with another pharmaceutically active agent either simultaneously or in sequence.
Treatment includes treatment and prophylaxis.
For such treatment, the appropriate dosage will, of course, vary depending upon, for example, the
chemical nature and the pharmacokinetic data of an antibody of the present invention employed,
the individual host, the mode of administration and the nature and severity of the conditions being
treated. However, in general, for satisfactory results in larger mammals, for example humans, an
indicated daily dosage is in the range from, e.g. about, 0.1 ng/kg to, e.g. about, 10 mg/kg, such as
from, e.g. about, 100 ng/kg to, e.g. about, 2 mg/kg of a compound of the present invention;
conveniently administered, for example, in divided doses up to four times a day.
A compound of the present invention may be administered by any conventional route, for example
parenterally, e.g. including intravenous, intradermal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intranasal
administration, injectable solutions or suspensions or inhaler powder.
In another aspect the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a
compound of the present invention in association with at least one pharmaceutical excipient, e.g.
appropriate carrier and/or diluent, e.g. including fillers, binders, disintegrators, flow conditioners,
lubricants, sugars and sweeteners, fragrances, preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents and/or
emulsifiers, solubilizers, salts for regulating osmotic pressure and/or buffers.
In another aspect the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition according to the
present invention further comprising another pharmaceutically active agent.
Such compositions may be manufactured according, e.g. analogously to a method as
conventional, e.g. by mixing, granulating, coating, dissolving or lyophilizing processes. Unit dosage
forms may contain, for example, from, e.g. about, 0.5 mg to, e.g. about, 1000 mg, such as 1 mg to
about 500 mg.
A compound of the present invention may be used for pharmaceutical treatment according to the
present invention alone or in combination with one or more other pharmaceutically active agents.
Such other pharmaceutically active agents include e.g. other antibodies, e.g. such as antibodies
neutralizing IgE, cytokines or cytokine receptors, which are chosen according to the particular
condition to be treated.
Combinations include fixed combinations, in which two or more pharmaceutically active agents are
in the same formulation; kits, in which two or more pharmaceutically active agents in separate
formulations are sold in the same package, e.g. with instruction for co-administration; and free
combinations in which the pharmaceutically active agents are packaged separately, but instruction
for simultaneous or sequential administration are given.
In another aspect the present invention also provides a method for diagnosing allergies and other
conditions associated with excess IgE production in a human which comprises
a) contacting a sample of a biological fluid with an antibody of the present invention, and
b) assaying for the occurrence of binding between said antibody and human IL-4.
In the following Examples all temperatures are in degrees Celsius (*C) and are unconnected.
The following abbreviations are used:
FACS buffer PBS, 2% PCS and 0.2% NaN3
PCS fetal calf serum
FITC fluoroescein isothiocyanat
IC50 inhibitory concentration
KLH keyhole limpet hemocyanin
mAb monoclonal antibody
MIX methotrexate
PBS phosphate buffered saline
slgD surface Immunoglobulin D
rmlL-3 recombinant murine interleukin-3
rhll_-4 recombinant human interleukin-4
rhlL-13 recombinant human interleukin-13
rpm revolutions per minute
RPMI Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium
RT room temperature
TF-buffer 272 mM sucrose, 1 mM MgCI2, 7 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.4
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE 1:
a) Antibody production
Plasmids encoding the variable regions of the sequence SEQ ID NO: 5 or 7 (= heavy chain) and
the sequence SEQ ID NO: 6 or 8 (= light chain) of the antibody are cloned into expression
cassettes for human kappa light chains and human lgG1 heavy chains.
The specificity determining regions are combined with the necessary elements to generate
complete monoclonal antibodies, i.e. promoter, leader sequence and splice donor sites for splicing
to the antibody constant region exons that are required for the expression of functional
immunoglobulin proteins. The variable region cassettes for the heavy and light chain antibodies,
encoding for leader sequences, variable region and 3'- prime splice donor sites for splicing the
constant region exons CH1-CH4 and kappa, are transferred into mammalian expression vetors HC
(heavy chain vector, human lgG1) and LC (light chain vector, human kappa).
The light chain containing plasmid.and the heavy chain containing plasmid are introduced into
Sp2/0 cells in a co-transfection approach. E.g. for transfection, cells in exponential growth phase
with a viability of about 95% are used. Cells are washed twice with cold TF-buffer and cell
concentration is adjusted to 2 x 107 cells/ml in TF-buffer. 0.8 ml cell suspension obtained are mixed
with 15 ng each of the heavy chain and light chain plasmid and placed on ice for 10 minutes.
Transfection is done by electroporation using the Biorad Gene Pulser (280 V and 25 uF). After
electroporation, cells are placed on ice for 15 minutes, transferred into 50 ml cold culture medium
and incubated for 1 day at 37" and 5% CO2. For clonal amplification, the G418 resistant cells
obtained are cultivated in the presence of 200 nM MTX. An aliquot of the heterogeneous cell pool
is seeded into 96-well plates at clonal density of 1 viable cell/well in culture medium containing 200
nM MTX allowing selection of clonal populations of amplified cells. Limiting dilution cloning is
applied to generate clonal cell lines after amplification and adaptation to serum-free culture
conditions. Cells are seeded into two 96-well plates at a concentration of 0.5 cell/well. Wells are
screened microscopically for clonality one day after seeding. Only monoclonal antibodies are used
for further testing.
The antibody obtained comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2.
b) Affinity measurements
Affinity measurements of human mAbs of the present invention are carried on a BIAcore™2000
instrument. Anti-human IgG is coated onto a BIAcore sensorchip CM-5 (BIAcore), so that
application of defined amounts of human mAbs results in capturing on this prepared surface and
hence in a change of refractory properties that are measured. A subsequent application of rhlL-4
results in a further change of the refractory properties, which allows determination of the
association rate (Kon, on rate) as well as the dissociation rate (K^, off rate) and the product of
these two, the affinity (K software. Using several concentrations of rhlL-4 in BIAbuffer, an affinity of 43 pM of an mAb as
defined by CDRs as described in claim 2a) is determined.
c) Determination of inhibitory potential on IL-4 mediated IgE
c1) Cell sources
Human B cells are isolated from peripheral blood, respectively, buffy coats by Ficoll-paque density
centrifugation, followed by magnetic separation with MACS beads (Miltenyi Biotech) specific for
human CD 19 or human CD22 on an AutoMACS device.
NaTve human B cells are similarly isolated using anti-human slgD FITC labeled goat F(ab')2
antibodies followed by anti-FITC MACS beads.
c2) Cell culture/maintenance
Transfectants (BaF/3 transfectants carrying the IL-4Ra and the IL-13Ra1) are cultured in RPMI
1640 medium supplemented with Glutamax (Invitrogen), 10% FCS, 1% penicillin/streptomycin and
10 ng/ml rhlL-4 (Novartis). Cells are split 1:1 twice weekly, washed with fresh medium without
rhlL-4 and kept in such medium overnight (=starved cells).
Human ex vivo (naive) B cell cultures are incubated in X-Vivo medium (Cambrex, XV15)
supplemented with Glutamax, 10% FCS, 1% penicillin/streptomycin in 96-well plates (Costar).
c3) BAF cell proliferation assay
Starved cells as described in b) are collected, washed with fresh medium, counted and adjusted to
2 x 105 cells/ml of which 100 ul per well are distributed to 96-well plates (Costar). Fortitration
series the cytokines rhlL-4, rhlL-13 and rmlL-3 are prepared in 4 times the desired final
concentration in the same medium.
For titration series antibodies are either used as cell culture supernatants with ELISA determined
concentrations or from purified material at 4 times the desired concentrations in the same medium.
The pre-dilutions of cytokines and antibodies are mixed at equal volumes and 100 pi of the pre-mix
are transferred to the well prepared with cells. Controls are set up for background proliferation
(medium without cytokine and without antibody = 100% inhibition) and maximum proliferation
(medium with cytokine only = 0% inhibition).
After overnight incubation at 37° in the presence of 5% CO2, [methyl-3H]thimidine (Amersham
TRK120) 1 pCi per well is added in 10 ul of medium and incubated for 8 hours. Following a
freeze/thaw cycle cells are harvested from the plates on filter mats using a Tomtek harvester. Filter
mats are dried in a microwave oven for 2 minutes at 650 W and transferred to a sample bag
together with a sheet of Meltilex Scintillation Wax (Wallac). Wax is melted through the filter and
filters obtained are placed inside appropriate cassettes and inserted into a micro-beta reader
(Wallac) for scintillation counting using a program measuring 30 seconds per field and
extrapolating to counts per minutes.
An ICso of 30 pM is measured in this test system for the antibody.
c4) IL-4 induced CD23 up-regulation on B cells
MACS separated B cells are adjusted to 0.5-1 x 106 cells/ml in XV15 and plated out in 100ul per
well of 96 well round bottom plates. Cytokines (1 ng/ml final) and mAb (2 ug/ml - 2 ng/ml final) are
pre-diluted and pre-mixed as described above and added in 100 ul to reach a final volume of
200 pi.
After culturing overnight at 37° in the presence of 5% CO2 cells are transferred to 96-well plates
(Costar) and centrifuged at 2200 rpm (-1000 x g) for 1 minute after flicking off the supernatant
washed with FACS buffer.
Florochrome labeled mAbs [HLA-DR FITC (Caltag#MHLDR01 1:800), CD19 PE
(Caltag#MHCD1904 1:200) and CD23 ARC (Caltag#MHCD2305 1:200)] are prepared in FACS
buffer and distributed in 50ul per well. After 30-60 minutes incubation at RT, wells are filled up with
FACS buffer, centrifuged and the centrifugation residue obtained is washed with FACS buffer.
Cells are re-suspended in FACS buffer with 2ug/ml propidium iodide and analyzed on a dual laser
FacsCalibur flow cytometer (BD Biosciences). Cells are gated according to their forward scatter
and side scatter properties as well.as their ability to exclude propidium iodide and their CD19
expression. Mean fluorescence intensities and percentage of cells above arbitrary threshold (set
on un-induced cells) in CD23 expression are determined. Baseline expression (100% inhibition) is
determined on cells without cytokine, whereas 0% inhibition is set on cells incubated with cytokine
but without mAb.
An IC50 of 334 pM for this antibody is determined for IL-4 induced CD23 expression on the cells as
described above in the presence of 70 pM recombinant human IL-4.
c5) IL-4 induced IgE production by naYve B cells
Magnetically sorted naYve B cells are adjusted to 3 x 105 cells per ml in XV15 and plated out in
100ul per well of 96-well plates in a 6 x 6 array in the center of the plate, surrounded by PBS filled
wells during the 10 days of culture at 37° in the presence of 5% CO2. One plate each is prepared
per mAb to be tested, consisting of 3 wells each un-induced and induced controls and quintuplicate
repeats of mAb titrations starting at 7ug/ml and running in 3-fold dilution down to 29ng/ml final
concentrations added in 50ul four times concentrated pre-dilution. Inducing conditions are rhlL-4 at
20 ng/ml plus anti-CD40 mAb (Novartis) at 0.5ug/ml final concentrations also added in 50ul of four
times concentrated pre-dilution. IgE concentrations are determined at the end of the culture period
by a standard sandwich ELISA method.
An IC50 of 2806 pM for this antibody is determined for IL-4 induced IgE on the cells as described
above.
Examples 2 to 6:
Antibodies are obtained analogously as described in example 1 and comprise the following amino
acid sequences:
Example 2 is an antibody comprising amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO: 16
Example 3 is an antibody comprising amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 17 and SEQ ID NO: 18.
Example 4 is an antibody comprising amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:25 and SEQ ID NO:26.
Example 5 is an antibody comprising amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:33 and SEQ ID NO:34.
Example 6 is an antibody comprising amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:41 and SEQ ID NO:42.
(Table Removed) summarizes the IC50 values of the antibodies in the various test systems as described in
(amino acid sequence of the mature polypeptide of the heavy chain, underlined amino acids
correspond to CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3)
QVQLVESGGGWQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMHWVRQAPGKGLEWVTFIWDDGSFKYYAES
VKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAREGSWSPDIFDIWGQGTMVTVSS
SEQ ID NO:2
(amino acid sequence of the mature polypeptide of the light chain, underlined amino acids
correspond to CDR1', CDR2' and CDR3')
AIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQGISRALAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYDASSLESGVPSRFSGSG
SGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQFNSYPITFGQGTRLEIKRT
SEQ ID N0:3
(amino acid sequence of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:1 with leader sequence, amino acids
marked in bold correspond to the leader sequence)
MEFGLNWVFLVALFRGVHCQVQLVESGGGWQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMHWVRQAPGK
GLEWVTFIWDDGSFKYYAESVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAREGSWSPDIFDI
WGQGTMVTVSS
SEQ ID NO:4
17
(amino acid sequence of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 with leader sequence, amino acids
marked in bold correspond to the leader sequence)
MDMRVPAQLLGLLLLWLPGARCAIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQGISRALAWYQQKPGK
APKLLIYDASSLESGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQFNSYPITFGQGTRLEIKRT
SEQ ID NO:5
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1)
CAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCGTGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGTCCCTGAGACTCT
CCTGTGCAGCGTCTGGATTCACCTTCAGTAGCTATGCCATGCACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCA
GGCAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTGACATTTATATGGGATGATGGAAGTTTTAAATATTATGCAGAG
TCCGTGAAGGGCCGATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACMTTCCAAGMCACGCTGTATTTGCAAATG
AACAGCCTGAGAGCCGAAGACACGGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAGAGGGCAGCTGGTCTCC
TGATATATTTGATATCTGGGGCCAAGGGACAATGGTCACCGTCTCTTCA
SEQ ID NO:6
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2)
GCCATCCAGTTGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGACAGAGTCACCATC
ACTTGCCGGGCAAGTCAGGGCATTAGCAGAGCTTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAA
AGCTCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGATGCCTCCAGTTTGGAAAGTGGGGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAG
CGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAGATTTTGC
AACTTATTACTGTCAACAGTTTAATAGTTACCCCATCACCTTCGGCCAAGGGACACGACTGGA
GATTAAACGAACT
SEQ ID NO:7
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3)
ATGGAGTTTGGGCTGAACTGGGTTTTCCTCGTTGCTCTTTTCAGAGGTGTCCACTGTCAGGTG
CAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCGTGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGTCCCTGAGACTCTCCTGTG
CAGCGTCTGGATTCACCTTCAGTAGCTATGCCATGCACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGCAAG
GGGCTGGAGTGGGTGACATTTATATGGGATGATGGAAGTTTTAAATATTATGCAGAGTCCGTG
AAGGGCCGATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACGCTGTATTTGCAMTGAACAGC
CTGAGAGCCGAAGACACGGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAGAGGGCAGCTGGTCTCCTGATAT
ATTTGATATCTGGGGCCAAGGGACAATGGTCACCGTCTCTTCA
SEQ ID NO:8
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4)
ATGGACATGAGGGTCCCCGCTCAGCTCCTGGGGCTTCTGCTGCTCTGGCTCCCAGGTGCCAG
ATGTGCCATCCAGTTGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGACAGAGTCAC
CATCACTTGCCGGGCAAGTCAGGGCATTAGCAGAGCTTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAG
GGAAAGCTCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGATGCCTCCAGTTTGGAAAGTGGGGTCCCATCAAGGT
TCAGCGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAGAT
18
TTTGCAACTTATTACTGTCAACAGTTTAATAGTTACCCCATCACCTTCGGCCAAGGGACACGAC
TGGAGATTAAACGAACT
SEQ ID NO:9
(amino acid sequence of the mature polypeptide of the heavy chain, underlined amino acids
correspond to CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3)
QVQLVESGGGWQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTLSSFGMUWVRQAPGKGLEWVAVIWYDGSNEYYADS
yKGRFTTSRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTANA^YCAREGSWSPDIFDIWGQGTMVTVSS
SEQ ID NO:10
(amino acid sequence of the mature polypeptide of the light chain, underlined amino acids
correspond to CDR1', CDR2' and CDR3')
AIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRTSQGIRSALAWYQQNPGKAPKLLIYDASSLESGVPSRFSGSG
SGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQFNSYPVTFGQGTRLEIKRT
SEQ ID NO: 11
(amino acid sequence of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:9 with leader sequence, amino acids
marked in bold correspond to the leader sequence)
MEFGLSWVFLVALLRGVQCQVQLVESGGGWQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTLSSFGMHWVRQAPGK
GLEWVAVIWYDGSNEYYADSVKGRFTTSRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAWYCAREGSWSPDIF
DIWGQGTMVTVSS
SEQIDNO:12
(amino acid sequence of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 10 with leader sequence, amino acids
marked in bold correspond to the leader sequence)
MDMRVPAQLLGLLLLWLPGARCAIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRTSQGIRSALAWYQQNPGK
APKLLIYDASSLESGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQFNSYPVTFGQGTRLEIKRT
SEQIDNO:13
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:9)
CAGGTGCAACTGGTGGAGTCGGGGGGAGGCGTGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGTCCCTGAGACTC
TCCTGTGCAGCGTCTGGATTCACCTTAAGTAGCTTTGGCATGCACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCC
AGGCAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTGGCAGTTATATGGTATGATGGAAGTAATGAATACTATGCAG
ACTCCGTGAAGGGCCGATTCACCACCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACGCTGTATCTGCAA
ATGAACAGCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACGGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAGAGGGCAGCTGGT
CTCCTGATATTTTTGATATCTGGGGCCAAGGGACAATGGTCACCGTCTCTTCA
SEQ ID NO:14
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10)
GCCATCCAGTTGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGACAGAGTCACCATC
ACTTGCCGGACAAGTCAGGGCATTCGCAGTGCTTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAACCCCGGGAA
AGCTCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGATGCCTCCAGTTTGGAAAGTGGGGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAG
CGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAGATTTTG
19
CAACTTATTACTGTCAACAGTTTAATAGTTACCCCGTCACCTTCGGCCAAGGGACACGACTGG
AGATTAAACGAACT
SEQIDNO:15
(nucleotides encoding an am/no acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 11)
ATGGAGTTTGGGCTGAGCTGGGTTTTCCTCGTTGCTCTTTTAAGAGGTGTCCAGTGTCAGGTG
CAACTGGTGGAGTCGGGGGGAGGCGTGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGTCCCTGAGACTCTCCTGTG
CAGCGTCTGGATTCACCTTAAGTAGCTTTGGCATGCACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGCAAG
GGGCTGGAGTGGGTGGCAGTTATATGGTATGATGGAAGTAATGAATACTATGCAGACTCCGT
GAAGGGCCGATTCACCACCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACGCTGTATCTGCAAATGAACA
GCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACGGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAGAGGGCAGCTGGTCTCCTGA
TATTTTTGATATCTGGGGCCAAGGGACAATGGTCACCGTCTCTTCA
SEQIDNO:16
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 12)
ATGGACATGAGGGTCCCCGCTCAGCTCCTGGGGCTTCTGCTGCTCTGGCTCCCAGGTGCCA
GATGTGCCATCCAGTTGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGACAGAGTCA
CCATCACTTGCCGGACAAGTCAGGGCATTCGCAGTGCTTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAACCCC
GGGAAAGCTCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGATGCCTCCAGTTTGGAAAGTGGGGTCGCATCAAG
GTTCAGCGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAG
ATTTTGCAACTTATTACTGTCAACAGTTTAATAGTTACCCCGTCACCTTCGGCCAAGGGACACG
ACTGGAGATTAAACGAACT
SEQ ID NO:17
(amino acid sequence of the mature polypeptide of the heavy chain, underlined amino acids
correspond to CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3)
QVQLVESGGGMVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTLSSYGMHWVRQAPGKGLEWVTVIWYDGNNQYYAD
SyKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAREGSWSPDIFDIWGQGTMVTVSS
SEQIDNO:18
(amino acid sequence of the mature polypeptide of the light chain, underlined amino acids
correspond to CDR1', CDR2' and CDR3')
AIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQGISSYLAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYDASSLESGVPSRFSGSG
SGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQFNSYPITFGQGTRLEIKRT
SEQ ID NO:19
(amino acid sequence of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 17 with leader sequence, amino acids
marked in bold correspond to the leader sequence)
MEFGLSWVFLVALLRGVQCQVQLVESGGGMVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTLSSYGMHWVRQAPGK
GLEWVWIWYDGNNQYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAREGSWSPDIF
DIWGQGTMVTVSS
SEQ ID N0:20
20
(am/no acid sequence of the polypeptide ofSEQ ID NO: 18 with leader sequence, am/no acids
marked in bold correspond to the leader sequence)
MDMRVPAQLLGLLLLWLPGARCAIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQGISSYLAWYQQKPGK
APKLLIYDASSLESGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQFNSYPITFGQGTRLEIKRT
SEQ ID N0:21
(nucleotides encoding an am/no acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17)
CAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCATGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGTCCCTGAGACTCT
CCTGTGCAGCGTCTGGATTCACCCTCAGTAGCTATGGCATGCACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCA
GGCAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTGACAGTTATATGGTATGATGGAAATAATCAATACTATGCAGA
CTCCGTGAAGGGCCGATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACGCTGTATCTGCAAAT
GAACAGCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACGGCTGTATATTACTGTGCGAGAGAGGGCAGCTGGTCT
CCTGATATTTTTGATATCTGGGGCCAAGGGACAATGGTCACCGTCTCTTCA
SEQ ID NO:22
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18)
GCCATCCAGTTGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGACAGAGTCACCATC
ACTTGCCGGGCAAGTCAGGGCATTAGCAGTTATTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAA
AGCTCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGATGCCTCCAGTTTGGAAAGTGGGGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAG
CGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGMGATTTTG
CAACTTATTACTGTCAACAGTTTMTAGTTACCCCATCACC1TCGGCCAAGGGACACGACTGG
AGATTAAACGAACT
SEQ ID NO:23
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19)
ATGGAGTTTGGGCTGAGCTGGGTTTTCCTCGTTGCTCTTTTAAGAGGTGTCCAGTGTCAGGTG
CAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCATGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGTCCCTGAGACTCTCCTGTG
CAGCGTCTGGATTCACCCTCAGTAGCTATGGCATGCACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGCAAG
GGGCTGGAGTGGGTGACAGTTATATGGTATGATGGAAATAATCAATACTATGCAGACTCCGTG
AAGGGCCGATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACGCTGTATCTGCAAATGAACAGC
CTGAGAGCCGAGGACACGGCTGTATATTACTGTGCGAGAGAGGGCAGCTGGTCTCCTGATAT
TTTTGATATCTGGGGCCAAGGGACAATGGTCACCGTCTCTTCA
SEQ ID NO:24
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20)
ATGGACATGAGGGTCCCCGCTCAGCTCCTGGGGCTTCTGCTGCTCTGGCTCCCAGGTGCCA
GATGTGCCATCCAGTTGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGACAGAGTCA
CCATCACTTGCCGGGCAAGTCAGGGCATTAGCAGTTATTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCA
GGGAAAGCTCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGATGCCTCCAGTTTGGAAAGTGGGGTCCCATCAAG
GTTCAGCGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAG
ATTTTGCAACTTATTACTGTCAACAGTTTAATAGTTACCCCATCACCTTCGGCCAAGGGACACG
ACTGGAGATTAAACGAACT
SEQ ID N0:25
(amino acid sequence of the mature polypeptide of the heavy chain, underlined amino acids
correspond to CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3)
QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGDTFSSYAISWVRQAPGQGFEWMGGIIPVIGTVNYEERF
QDRVTITADNSTSTAYMELTSLRSEDTAVYFCGREEGFLDYWGQGTLVTVSS
SEQ ID NO:26
(amino acid sequence of the mature polypeptide of the light chain, underlined amino acids
correspond to CDR1', CDR2' and CDR3')
AIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQGISSALAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYDASSLESGVPSRFSGSG
SGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQFNSYPLLTFGGGTKVEIKRT
SEQ ID N0:27
(amino acid sequence of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:25 with leader sequence, amino acids
marked in bold correspond to the leader sequence)
MD.WTWRFLFWAAATGVQSQVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGDTFSSYAISWVRQAPGQ
GFEWMGGIIPVIGTVNYEERFQDRVTITADNSTSTAYMELTSLRSEDTANA'FCGREEGFLDYWGQ
GTLVTVSS
SEQ ID NO:28
(amino acid sequence of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:26 with leader sequence, amino acids
marked in bold correspond to the leader sequence)
MDMRVPAQLLGLLLLWLPGARCAIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQGISSALAWYQQKP
GKAPKLLIYDASSLESGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQFNSYPLLTFGGGTK
VEIKRT
SEQ ID N0:29
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:25)
CAGGTCCAGCTGGTGCAGTCTGGGGCTGAGGTGAAGAAGCCTGGGTCCTCGGTGAAGGTCT
CCTGCMGGCTTCTGGAGACACCTTCAGCAGTTATGCTATCAGTTGGGTGCGACAGGCCCCT
GGACAAGGGTTTGAGTGGATGGGAGGGATCATCCCTGTCATTGGTACAGTAAATTATGAAGA
GAGATTCCAGGACAGAGTCACGATTACCGCGGACAATTCCACGAGCACAGCCTACATGGAGT
TGACTAGTCTGAGATCTGAAGACACGGCCGTGTAI I I I IGTGGGAGAGAAGAGGGCTTCCTT
GACTATTGGGGCCAGGGAACCCTGGTCACCGTCTCCTCA
SEQ ID NO:30
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26)
ATGGACATGAGGGTCCCCGCTCAGCTCCTGGGGCTTCTGCTGCTCTGGCTCCCAGGTGCCA
GATGTGCCATCCAGTTGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGACAGAGTCA
CCATCACTTGCCGGGCAAGTCAGGGCATTAGCAGTGCTTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCA
22
GGGAAAGCTCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGATGCCTCCAGTTTGGAAAGTGGGGTCCCATCAAG
GTTCAGCGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAG
ATTTTGCAACTTATTACTGTCAACAGTTTAATAGTTACCCTCTTCTCACTTTCGGCGGAGGGAC
CAAGGTGGAGATCAAACGTACG
SEQ ID NO:31
(nucleotides encoding an am/no acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:27)
ATGGACTGGACCTGGAGGTTCCTCTTTGTGGTGGCAGCAGCTACAGGTGTCCAGTCCCAGGT
CCAGCTGGTGCAGTCTGGGGCTGAGGTGAAGAAGCCTGGGTCCTCGGTGAAGGTCTCCTGC
AAGGCTTCTGGAGACACCTTCAGCAGTTATGCTATCAGTTGGGTGCGACAGGCCCCTGGACA
AGGGTTTGAGTGGATGGGAGGGATCATCCCTGTCATTGGTACAGTAAATTATGAAGAGAGATT
CCAGGACAGAGTCACGATTACCGCGGACAATTCCACGAGCACAGCCTACATGGAGTTGACTA
GTCTGAGATCTGAAGACACGGCCGTGTATTTTTGTGGGAGAGAAGAGGGCTTCCTTGACTATT
GGGGCCAGGGAACCCTGGTCACCGTCTCCTCA
SEQ ID NO:32
(nucleotides encoding an am/no acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28)
ATGGACATGAGGGTCCCCGCTCAGCTCCTGGGGCTTCTGCTGCTCTGGCTCCCAGGTGCCA
GATGTGCCATCCAGTTGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGACAGAGTCA
CCATCACTTGCCGGGCAAGTCAGGGCATTAGCAGTGCTTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCA
GGGAAAGCTCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGATGCCTCCAGTTTGGAAAGTGGGGTCCCATCMG
GTTCAGCGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAG
ATTTTGCMCTTATTACTGTCMCAGTTTAATAGTTACCCTCTTCTCACTTTCGGCGGAGGGAC
CAAGGTGGAGATCAAACGTACG
SEQ ID NO:33
(amino acid sequence of the mature polypeptide of the heavy chain, underlined am/no acids
correspond to CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3)
QVQLVESGGGWQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSCCGMHWVRQAPGKGLEWVAVIWYDGSNKYYAD
S^KGRFTISRDTSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCATDSSGSFYEYFQHWGQGTLVTVSS
SEQ ID NO:34
(amino acid sequence of the mature polypeptide of the light chain, underlined amino acids
correspond to CDR1', CDR2' and CDR3')
AIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQGINSAU\WYQQKPGKAPKLLIYDASSLESGVPSRFSGSG
SGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQFNSYPYTFGQGTKLEIKRT
SEQ ID NO:35
(amino acid sequence of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:33 with leader sequence, amino acids
marked in bold correspond to the leader sequence)
23
MEFGLSWVFLVALLRGVQCQVQLVESGGGWQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSCCGMHWVRQAPGK
GLEWVAVIWYDGSNKYYADSVKGRFTISRDTSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCATDSSGSFYEYF
QHWGQGTLVTVSS
SEQ ID NO:36
(amino acid sequence of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:34 with leader sequence, amino acids
marked in bold correspond to the leader sequence)
MDMRVPAQLLGLLLLWLPGARCAIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQGINSALAWYQQKPGK
APKLLIYDASSLESGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQFNSYPYTFGQGTKLEIKRT
SEQ ID NO:37
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:33)
CAGGTGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCGTGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGTCCCTGAGACTCT
CCTGTGCAGCGTCTGGATTCACCTTCAGTTGCTGTGGCATGCACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCA
GGCAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGGTGGCAGTTATATGGTATGATGGAAGTAATAAATACTATGCAGA
CTCCGTGAAGGGCCGATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACACTTCCAAGAACACGCTGTATCTGCAAAT
GAACAGCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACGGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCGACAGATAGTTCGGGGAGTT
TTTATGAATACTTCCAGCACTGGGGCCAGGGCACCCTGGTCACCGTCTCCTCA
SEQ ID NO:38
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34)
GCCATCCAGTTGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGACAGAGTCACCATC
ACTTGCCGGGCAAGTCAGGGCATTAACAGTGCTTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAA
AGCTCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGATGCCTCCAGTTTGGAAAGTGGGGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAG
CGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAGATTTTG
CAACTTATTACTGTCAACAGTTTAATAGTTACCCGTACACTTTTGGCCAGGGGACCAAGCTGG
AGATCAAACGAACT
SEQ ID NO:39
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:35)
ATGGAGTTTGGGCTGAGCTGGGTTTTCCTCGTTGCTCTTTTAAGAGGTGTCCAGTGTCAGGTG
CAGCTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCGTGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGTCCCTGAGACTCTCCTGTG
CAGCGTCTGGATTCACCTTCAGTTGCTGTGGCATGCACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGCAAG
GGGCTGGAGTGGGTGGCAGTTATATGGTATGATGGAAGTAATAAATACTATGCAGACTCCGT
GAAGGGCCGATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACACTTCCAAGAACACGCTGTATCTGCAAATGAACA
GCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACGGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCGACAGATAGTTCGGGGAGI II I I AT
GAATACTTCCAGCACTGGGGCCAGGGCACCCTGGTCACCGTCTCCTCA
SEQ ID NO:40
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36)
ATGGACATGAGGGTCCCCGCTCAGCTCCTGGGGCTTCTGCTGCTCTGGCTCCCAGGTGCCA
GATGTGCCATCCAGTTGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGACAGAGTCA
24
CCATCACTTGCCGGGCAAGTCAGGGCATTAACAGTGCTTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCA
GGGAAAGCTCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGATGCCTCCAGTTTGGAAAGTGGGGTCCCATCAAG
GTTCAGCGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAG
ATTTTGCMCTTATTACTGTCAACAGTTTAATAGTTACCCGTACACTTTTGGCCAGGGGACCAA
GCTGGAGATCAAACGAACT
SEQ ID NO:41
Cam/no acid sequence of the mature polypeptide of the heavy chain, underlined am/no acids
correspond to CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3)
QVQLVESGGGWQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSGYGMHWVRQAPGRGLDWVAWWYDGGYKFYA
DSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARDSSGSFYEYLQHWGQGTLVTVSS
SEQ ID NO:42
(amino acid sequence of the mature polypeptide of the light chain, underlined amino acids
correspond to CDR1', CDR2' and CDR3')
AIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQGISSALAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYDASSLESGVPSRFSGSG
SGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQFNSY£HFWPGDQAGDQTNCG
SEQ ID NO:43
(amino acid sequence of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:41 with leader sequence, amino acids
marked in bold correspond to the leader sequence)
MEFGLSWVFLVALLRGVQCQVQLVESGGGWQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSGYGMHWVRQAPGR
GLDWVANAWYDGGYKFYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARDSSGSFYEY
LQHWGQGTLVTVSS
SEQ ID NO:44
(amino acid sequence of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:42 with leader sequence, amino acids
marked in bold correspond to the leader sequence)
MDMRVPAQLLGLLLLWLPGARCAIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQGISSALAWYQQKPGK
APKLLIYDASSLESGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQFNSYPHFWPGDQAGDQT
NCG
SEQ ID NO:45
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41)
CAGGTGCAGTTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCGTGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGTCCCTGAGACTCT
CCTGTGCAGCGTCTGGATTCACCTTCAGTGGCTATGGCATGCACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCA
GGCAGGGGGCTGGACTGGGTGGCAGTTGTGTGGTATGATGGAGGTTATAAGTTCTATGCAGA
CTCCGTGAAGGGCCGATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACGCTGTATCTGCAAAT
GAACAGCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACGGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAGATAGTTCGGGGAGTT
TTTATGAATACTTACAACATTGGGGCCAGGGCACCCTGGTCACCGTCTCCTCA
SEQ ID NO:46
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42)
25
GCCATCCAGTTGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGACAGAGTCACCATC
ACTTGCCGGGCAAGTCAGGGCATTAGCAGTGCTTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAA
AGCTCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGATGCCTCCAGTTrGGAAAGTGGGGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAG
CGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAGATTTTG
CAACTTATTACTGTCAACAGTTTAATAGTTACCCTCACTTTTGGCCAGGGGACCAAGCTGGAG
ATCAAACGAACT
SEQ ID NO:47
(nucleotides encoding an am/no acid sequence of SEQ IDNO:43)
ATGGAGT7TGGGCTGAGCTGGGTTTTCCTCGTTGCTCTTTTAAGAGGTGTCCAGTGTCAGGTG
CAGTTGGTGGAGTCTGGGGGAGGCGTGGTCCAGCCTGGGAGGTCCCTGAGACTCTCCTGTG
CAGCGTCTGGATTCACCTTCAGTGGCTATGGCATGCACTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGCAG
GGGGCTGGACTGGGTGGCAGTTGTGTGGTATGATGGAGGTTATAAGTTCTATGCAGACTCCG
TGAAGGGCCGATTCACCATCTCCAGAGACAATTCCAAGAACACGCTGTATCTGCAAATGAACA
GCCTGAGAGCCGAGGACACGGCTGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAGATAGTTCGGGGAGI I I I I AT
GAATACTTACAACATTGGGGCCAGGGCACCCTGGTCACCGTCTCCTCA
SEQ ID N0:48
(nucleotides encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44)
ATGGACATGAGGGTCCCCGCTCAGCTCCTGGGGCTTCTGCTGCTCTGGCTCCCAGGTGCCA
GATGTGCCATCCAGTTGACCCAGTCTCCATCCTCCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGACAGAGTCA
CCATCACTTGCCGGGCAAGTCAGGGCATTAGCAGTGCTTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCA
GGGAAAGCTCCTAAGCTCCTGATCTATGATGCCTCCAGTTTGGAAAGTGGGGTCCCATCAAG
GTTCAGCGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGAAG
ATTTTGCAACTTATTACTGTCMCAGTTTAATAGTTACCCTCACTTTTGGCCAGGGGACCAAGC
TGGAGATCAAACGAACT


Patent Claims
1. An human IL-4 specific antibody which binds to human IL-4 with a dissociation constant Kj of
equal or less than 800 pM.
2. An antibody of claim 1 having a first domain comprising in sequence the hypervariaWe regions
CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 and a second domain comprising in sequence the hypervariable
regions CDR1', CDR21 and CDR31 selected from the group consisting of an antibody wherein
a) said CDR1 has the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Thr-Phe-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Ala-Met-His,
said CDR2 has the amino acid sequence Phe-lle-Trp-Asp-Asp-Gly-Ser-Phe-Lys-Tyr-Tyr-
Ala-Glu-Ser-Val-Lys-Gly,
said CDR3 has the amino acid sequence Glu-Gly-Ser-Trp-Ser-Pro-Asp-lle-Phe,
said CDRV has the amino acid sequence Ser-Gln-Gly-lle-Ser-Arg-Ala,
said CDR2' has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ala-Ser,
said CDR3' has the amino acid sequence Phe-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Pro-lle,
b) said CDR1 has the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Thr-Leu-Ser-Ser-Phe-Gly-Met-His,
said CDR2 has the amino acid sequence Val-lle-Trp-Tyr-Asp-Gly-Ser-Asn-Glu-Tyr-Tyr-Ala-
Asp-Ser-Val-Lys-Gly,
said CDR3 has the amino acid sequence Glu-Gly-Ser-Trp-Ser-Pro-Asp-lle-Phe,
said CDRV has the amino acid sequence Ser-Gln-Gly-lle-Arg-Ser-Ala,
said CDR2' has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ala-Ser,
said CDR3' has the amino acid sequence Phe-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Pro-Val,
c) said CDR1 has the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Thr-Leu-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Met-His,
said CDR2 has the amino acid sequence Val-lle-Trp-Tyr-Asp-Gly-Asn-Asn-Gln-Tyr-Tyr-Ala-
Asp-Ser-Val-Lys-Gly,
said CDR3 has the amino acid sequence Glu-Gly-Ser-Trp-Ser-Pro-Asp-lle-Phe,
said CDR11 has the amino acid sequence Ser-Gln-Gly-lle-Ser-Ser-Tyr,
said CDR2' has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ala-Ser,
said CDR31 has the amino acid sequence Phe-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Pro,
d) said CDR1 has the amino acid sequence Gly-Asp-Thr-Phe-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Ala-lle-Ser,
said CDR2 has the amino acid sequence Gly-lle-lle-lle-Pro-Val-lle-Gly-Thr-Val-Asn-Tyr-
Glu-Glu-Arg-Phe-Gln-Asp-Arg,
said CDR3 has the amino acid sequence Glu-Glu-Gly-Phe-Leu,
said CDR1' has the amino acid sequence Ser-Gln-Gly-lle-Ser-Ser-Ala,
said CDR2' has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ala-Ser,
said CDR3' has the amino acid sequence Phe-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Pro-Leu,
e) said CDR1 has the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Thr-Phe-Ser-Cys-Cys-Gly-Met-His,
27
said CDR2 has the amino acid sequence Val-lle-Trp-Tyr-Asp-Gly-Ser-Asn-Lys-Tyr-Tyr-Ala-
Asp-Ser-Val-Lys-Gly,
said CDR3 has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ser-Ser-Gly-Ser-Phe-Tyr-Glu-Tyr-Phe,
said CDR1' has the amino acid sequence Ser-Gln-Gly-lle-Asn-Ser-Ala,
said CDR2' has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ala-Ser,
said CDR3' has the amino acid sequence Phe-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Pro-Tyr, and
f) said CDR1 has the amino acid sequence Gly-Phe-Thr-Phe-Ser-Gly-Tyr-Gly-Met-His,
said CDR2 has the amino acid sequence Val-Val-Trp-Tyr-Asp-Gly-Gly-Tyr-Lys-Phe-Tyr-
Ala-Asp-Ser-Val-Lys-Gly,
said CDR3 has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ser-Ser-Gly-Ser-Phe-Tyr-Glu-Tyr-Leu,
said CDR1' has the amino acid sequence Ser-Gln-Gly-lle-Ser-Ser-Ala,
said CDR2' has the amino acid sequence Asp-Ala-Ser,
said CDR3' has the amino acid sequence Phe-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Pro-His.
3. An antibody of claim 1 or 2 comprising
a) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:1 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, or
b) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:9 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 10, or
c) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:17 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:18, or
d) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:25 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:26, or
e) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:33 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:34, or
f) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:41 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:42.
4. An antibody of any one of claims 1 to 3 comprising
a) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:3 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4, or
b) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:11 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:12, or
c) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:19 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:20, or
d) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:27 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:28, or
e) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:35 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:36, or
f) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:43 and a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:44.
5. An antibody of any one of claims 1 to 4 which is selected from the group consisting of
an human IL-4 specific monoclonal antibody, a fragment thereof and an analog thereof.
6. Isolated polynucleotides comprising polynucleotides encoding an antibody of claim 1.
7. Polynucleotides of claim 6 encoding the amino acid sequence of an antibody of any one of
claims 2 to 5.
8. Polynucleotides of any one of claims 6 or 7 comprising
a) a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:5 and a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:6, or
b) a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:13 and a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:14, or
c) a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:21 and a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:22, or
d) a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:29 and a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:30, or
e) a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:37 and a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:38, or
f) a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:45 and a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:46.
9. Polynucleotides of any one of claims 6 to 8 encoding
a) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:7 and SEQ ID NO:8, or
b) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:15 and SEQ ID NO:16, or
c) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:23 and SEQ ID NO:24, or
d) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:31 and SEQ ID NO:32, or
e) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:39 and SEQ ID NO:40, or
f) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:47 and SEQ ID NO:48.
10. An expression vector comprising polynucleotides of any one of claims 6 to 9.
11. An expression system comprising a polynucleotide of any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein said
expression system or part thereof is capable of producing an antibody of any one of claims 1
to 5 when said expression system or part thereof is present in a compatible host cell.
12. An isolated host cell comprising an expression system of claim 11.
13. Use of an antibody of any one of claims 1 to 5 as a pharmaceutical.
14. Use of an antibody of any one of claims 1 to 5 for the manufacture of a medicament for the
treatment of diseases mediated by IL-4 and/or IgE.
15. Use of claim 14 wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of atopic dermatitis,
allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis.
16. Use of any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the antibody is selected from the group
consisting of an human IL-4 monoclonal antibody, a fragment thereof and an analog thereof.
17. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody of any one of claims 1 to 5 in
29
association with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
18. A method of treatment of diseases mediated by IL-4 and/or IgE which treatment comprises
administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of an antibody of any one of claims1to5.

Documents:

1121-delnp-2007-Abstract-(26-02-2013).pdf

1121-delnp-2007-abstract.pdf

1121-delnp-2007-Assignment-(28-01-2013).pdf

1121-delnp-2007-Claims-(26-02-2013).pdf

1121-delnp-2007-claims.pdf

1121-delnp-2007-Correspondence Others-(26-02-2013).pdf

1121-delnp-2007-Correspondence Others-(28-01-2013).pdf

1121-delnp-2007-Correspondence-Others-(05-02-2013).pdf

1121-delnp-2007-Correspondence-Others-(27-02-2013).pdf

1121-delnp-2007-correspondence-others.pdf

1121-delnp-2007-description (complete).pdf

1121-delnp-2007-form-1.pdf

1121-delnp-2007-form-2.pdf

1121-delnp-2007-Form-3-(05-02-2013).pdf

1121-delnp-2007-Form-3-(26-02-2013).pdf

1121-delnp-2007-form-3.pdf

1121-delnp-2007-form-5.pdf

1121-delnp-2007-GPA-(28-01-2013).pdf

1121-delnp-2007-pct-210.pdf

1121-delnp-2007-pct-237.pdf

1121-delnp-2007-pct-373.pdf

1121-delnp-2007-pct-notification.pdf

1121-delnp-2007-Petition-137-(27-02-2013).pdf

1121-delnp-2007-Petition-138-(27-02-2013).pdf


Patent Number 256775
Indian Patent Application Number 1121/DELNP/2007
PG Journal Number 31/2013
Publication Date 02-Aug-2013
Grant Date 29-Jul-2013
Date of Filing 09-Feb-2007
Name of Patentee NOVARTIS AG.
Applicant Address LICHTSTRASSE 35, CH-4056 BASEL SWITZERLAND.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 CARBALLIDO HERRERA JOSE M. BERNHARD WEISSGASSE 6/3, A-2380 PERCHTOLDSDORF AUSTRIA.
2 DE VRIES JAN E. NEUE WELT GASSE 16/1, A-1130 WIEN AUSTRIA.
3 SCHWAERZLER CHRISTOPH ARNDTSTRASSE 42/37R, A-1120 WIEN AUSTRIA.
PCT International Classification Number C07K 16/24
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2005/008361
PCT International Filing date 2005-08-02
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 0417301.9 2004-08-03 U.K.
2 0417302.7 2004-08-03 U.K.
3 0417304.3 2004-08-03 U.K.
4 0417306.8 2004-08-03 U.K.
5 0417303.5 2004-08-03 U.K.