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Gilead Sciences Licenses Broadly Neutralizing Antibody Portfolio from The Rockefeller University for HIV Prevention and Treatment

Jan 13, 2020 12:34 CST Updated 12:34
Gilead Sciences

Antiviral Drug Developer

The Rockefeller University

The Rockefeller University is a world-leading center for biomedical education and research. Located in New York, United States, it was formerly known as the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research and was established with funding from American oil magnate John D. Rockefeller. The Rockefeller University is one of the birthplaces of modern cell biology, where scientists first discovered blood types, identified DNA as genetic material, and demonstrated that viruses can cause cancer. The university does not have any academic departments; instead, it comprises 75 independent laboratories. As of 2021, The Rockefeller University had 38 Nobel laureates among its alumni and faculty in the fields of Physiology or Medicine and Chemistry, making it the institution with the most Nobel Prizes in the biomedical field worldwide. If it were a country, its number of Nobel laureates in biomedicine would rank only behind the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The Rockefeller University is the research institution with the highest number of Nobel laureates per capita in the world.


January 13, 2020 /BioonBIOON/ -- Gilead Sciences recently announced that it has licensed from The Rockefeller University a combination of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV, including two clinical-stage candidates, 3BNC117 and 10-1074. These investigational drugs have the potential to be developed into long-acting therapies for the treatment and prevention of HIV, as well as cure strategies.

HIV-bNAbs are a class of immunotherapeutic agents originally derived from HIV-infected individuals who exhibit potent anti-HIV immune responses. These agents are designed to target HIV, particularly viruses originating from the latent viral reservoir (LVR). Preliminary preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that HIV-bNAbs can elicit an enhanced, long-lasting immune response against HIV. This represents a promising new approach for HIV treatment or prevention, either in combination with other long-acting agents or to extend periods of virologic remission without the use of antiretroviral drugs. This licensing agreement provides Gilead Sciences with an additional avenue for innovation in its HIV pipeline, addressing evolving and unmet medical needs.

bNAb Targets on the HIV Virus (Image source: avac.org)

Under the agreement, Gilead Sciences has obtained an exclusive global license to develop and commercialize Rockefeller University’s entire portfolio of HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Rockefeller University will receive an upfront payment and is eligible for cumulative milestone payments as well as royalties on net sales. In addition, Rockefeller University will retain the right to conduct non-clinical and early-stage clinical research on the HIV antibody combinations.

Diana Brainard, M.D., Senior Vice President of HIV and Emerging Viruses at Gilead Sciences, stated, “The broadly neutralizing HIV antibodies developed by The Rockefeller University in earlyClinical Trial"demonstrates exceptional promise. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to combat HIV, we seek to continue driving scientific innovation, thereby transforming the care of all people living with HIV and improving overall outcomes."

Dr. Jeanne Farrell, Vice President for Technological Advancement at Rockefeller University, stated, “Our scientists have amassed a substantial body of research demonstrating that neutralizing antibodies have the potential to transform the treatment landscape for patients with HIV/AIDS. We are committed to collaborating with business professionals who can translate academic initiatives into potential future products that may benefit patients, thereby ensuring that this and other promising discoveries fulfill their promise to impact healthcare.”(Bioon.com)