WO2015200438A1 - Anticorps de haute affinité contre pcsk9 - Google Patents

Anticorps de haute affinité contre pcsk9 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015200438A1
WO2015200438A1 PCT/US2015/037345 US2015037345W WO2015200438A1 WO 2015200438 A1 WO2015200438 A1 WO 2015200438A1 US 2015037345 W US2015037345 W US 2015037345W WO 2015200438 A1 WO2015200438 A1 WO 2015200438A1
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Prior art keywords
antibody
pcsk9
antigen binding
seq
binding fragment
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Inventor
Alison TISDALE
Michael March SCHMIDT
Eric Steven Furfine
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Carisma Therapeutics Inc
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Eleven Biotherapeutics Inc
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
    • C07K16/40—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against enzymes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
    • A61K2039/505—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies comprising antibodies
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/20—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by taxonomic origin
    • C07K2317/24—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by taxonomic origin containing regions, domains or residues from different species, e.g. chimeric, humanized or veneered
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/50—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments
    • C07K2317/56—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments variable (Fv) region, i.e. VH and/or VL
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/90—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by (pharmaco)kinetic aspects or by stability of the immunoglobulin
    • C07K2317/92—Affinity (KD), association rate (Ka), dissociation rate (Kd) or EC50 value

Definitions

  • the field of the invention relates to cholesterol metabolism. More particularly, the field relates to regulation of PCSK9.
  • statins do not work for all patients. For example, some people are statin-intolerant, are not well controlled on statins, or have familial hypercholesterolemia.
  • PCSK9 has been identified as a possible target for treating high cholesterol. However, molecules targeting PCSK9 have exhibited poor pharmacokinetics and therefore require frequent dosing and large volumes.
  • PCSK9 neural apoptosis-regulated convertase 1, NARC-1
  • PCSK9 is a member of the serine protease family that is primarily expressed in hepatocytes.
  • PCSK9 is initially expressed as a proprotein of about 75 kD that undergoes autocatalytic cleavage to produce mature PCSK9.
  • the mature PCSK9 is secreted and binds to LDL receptor at the cell surface creating a bound complex (PCSK9/LDLR).
  • PCSK9/LDLR is directed to the lysosome where it is degraded. This mechanism plays a role in regulating serum LDL-c levels.
  • the invention relates to the discovery of effective inhibitors of PCSK9 (e.g., human PCSK9).
  • PCSK9 inhibitors can be antibodies that target a PCSK9 (e.g., human PCSK9), or the prodomain of PCSK9, or antigen binding fragments or derivatives of such antibodies.
  • the PCKS9 inhibitor is an antibody (e.g., a humanized murine antibody), antibody fragment, or derivative thereof that can specifically bind to the prodomain of a human PCSK9.
  • the PCKS9 inhibitor binds to PCKS9, e.g., to human PCSK9, e.g., to the prodomain of human PCKS9, with relatively high affinity.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor binds to human and/or rhesus PCSK9, e.g., with a Kd, K on , or K 0ff as described herein.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor binds to PCSK9 (e.g., human and/or rhesus
  • PCSK9 with a K d of less than 200 pM, less than 175 pM, less than 150 pM, less than 125 pM, less than 100 pM, less than 75 pM, less than 50 pM, less than 25 pM, or less than 10 pM.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor binds to PCSK9 (e.g., human and/or rhesus PCSK9) with a K d of 1-200, 10-200, 10-150, 10-100, 10-75, 10-50, 10-30, or 10-20 pM.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor binds to PCSK9 (e.g., human and/or rhesus PCSK9) with a K d of ⁇ 0.2 nM, e.g., with a K d of 10 to 200 pM.
  • PCSK9 e.g., human and/or rhesus PCSK9
  • the K d is determined as described herein. In embodiments, the K d is determined using biolayer interferometry, ELISA, FACS, or surface plasmon resonance assay. In embodiments, the K d is determined using biolayer interferometry, FACS, or ELISA. In embodiments, the K d is determined using biolayer interferometry. In embodiments, the K d is determined using ELISA. In embodiments, the K d is determined using FACS.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor binds to PCSK9 (e.g., human and/or rhesus
  • PCSK9 with a dissociation rate (k 0ff ) of 1x10 - " 5 to 1x10 - " 3 s- " 1 , e.g., as determined using SPR.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor binds to PCSK9 (e.g., human and/or rhesus PCSK9) with a dissociation rate (k Qff ) of less than lxlO ' V 1 , less 0.5xl0 ⁇ 4 s _1 , or less than 0.4xl0 ⁇ 4 s _1 , e.g., as determined using surface plasmon resonance (SPR).
  • SPR surface plasmon resonance
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor has a dissociation rate of about 0.36 xlO ' V 1 , or a dissociation rate of about 0.36 xlO ' V 1 or less, e.g., as determined using SPR.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor binds to PCSK9 (e.g., human and/or rhesus PCSK9) with a dissociation rate (k off ) of lxlO "6 to lxlO ' V 1 , lxlO "6 to ⁇ "1 , or lxlO "6 to lxlO ' V 1 , e.g., as determined using biolayer interferometry.
  • PCSK9 e.g., human and/or rhesus PCSK9
  • k off dissociation rate
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor binds to PCSK9 (e.g., human and/or rhesus PCSK9) with a dissociation rate (k 0ff ) of less than lxlO ' V 1 or less than lxlO ' V 1 , e.g., as determined using biolayer interferometry.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor has a dissociation rate of about 6 xlO ' V 1 , or a dissociation rate of about 6 xlO ' V 1 or less, e.g., as determined using biolayer interferometry.
  • the PCKS9 inhibitor exhibits pH-dependent binding to PCSK9.
  • PCSK9 inhibitor examples include a polypeptide that includes at least one of SEQ ID NO:5, 6, or 7 and at least one of SEQ ID NO:8 or 9 and can specifically bind to PCSK9.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor includes at least two sequences selected from SEQ ID NOs: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., the PCSK9 antibody or antigen binding fragment) comprises an immunoglobulin chain, e.g., a heavy chain sequence, e.g., a heavy chain variable domain, comprising one or more sequences disclosed herein, e.g., three heavy chain CDR sequences disclosed herein, e.g., SEQ ID NO:5, 6, and 7.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., the PCSK9 antibody or antigen binding fragment) comprises an immunoglobulin chain, e.g., a light chain sequence, e.g., a light chain variable domain, comprising one or more sequences disclosed herein, e.g., three light chain CDR sequences disclosed herein, e.g., SEQ ID NO:8, 9, and 10.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., the PCSK9 antibody or antigen binding fragment) comprises (e.g., consists essentially of, or consists of) a heavy chain sequence and/or a light chain sequence comprising (e.g., consisting essentially of, or consisting of) one or more sequences described herein.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor comprises heavy chain CDR sequences (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, and 7) and/or light chain CDR sequences (e.g., SEQ ID NO:8, 9, and 10) as disclosed herein.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor comprises a heavy chain sequence comprising heavy chain CDR sequences disclosed herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 5, 6, and 7) and/or a light chain sequence comprising light chain CDR sequences disclosed herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO:8, 9, and 10), or comprises CDRs that differ by at most 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 amino acids (e.g., collectively comprise at most 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 amino acid substitutions) relative to the heavy and/or light chain CDR sequences disclosed herein.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor comprises a heavy chain variable domain sequence disclosed herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 17) and/or a light chain variable domain sequence disclosed herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 18).
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor comprises (i) a heavy chain variable domain sequence that is at least 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99% identical to a heavy chain variable domain sequence disclosed herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 17) and/or (ii) a light chain variable domain sequence that is at least 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99% identical to a light chain variable domain sequence disclosed herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 18).
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor comprises (i) a heavy chain variable domain sequence that differs by at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acids (e.g., comprises at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions) relative to a heavy chain variable domain sequence disclosed herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 17) and/or (ii) a light chain variable domain sequence that differs by at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acids (e.g., comprises at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions) relative to a light chain variable domain sequence disclosed herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 18).
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor comprises a heavy chain sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 19) and/or a light chain sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO:20) disclosed herein.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor comprises (e.g., consists of) (i) a heavy chain sequence that is at least 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99% identical to a heavy chain sequence disclosed herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO:19) and/or (ii) a light chain sequence that is at least 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99% identical to a light chain sequence disclosed herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO:20).
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor comprises (e.g., consists of) (i) a heavy chain sequence that differs by at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or
  • 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acids e.g., comprises at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions
  • a light chain sequence disclosed herein e.g., SEQ ID NO:20.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor e.g., antibody, fragment, or derivative
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor is an antigen binding fragment, e.g., a Fab, Fab', Fab'-SH, Fd, Fv, F(ab')2, scFv, dsFv, or other antigen binding fragment (e.g., as disclosed herein or known in the art).
  • an antigen binding fragment e.g., a Fab, Fab', Fab'-SH, Fd, Fv, F(ab')2, scFv, dsFv, or other antigen binding fragment (e.g., as disclosed herein or known in the art).
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., the PCSK9 antibody) comprises a human Fc region sequence, e.g., a human IgGl, IgG2, IgG3 or IgG4 Fc region sequence.
  • a nucleic acid sequence encoding a PCSK9 inhibitor e.g., a PCSK9 antibody or antigen-binding fragment
  • a vector comprising the nucleic acid sequence.
  • a host cell comprising the nucleic acid sequence or vector.
  • composition comprising a PCSK9 inhibitor
  • a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient e.g., a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier
  • kits comprising a PCSK9 inhibitor disclosed herein and optionally, instructions for use.
  • the kit can include other features or elements disclosed herein.
  • the invention in another embodiment, relates to a method of inhibiting PCSK9.
  • the method includes contacting a sample comprising a PCSK9 with a PCSK9 inhibitor disclosed herein (e.g., an antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof) that can bind, e.g., specifically bind, to a human PCKS9, e.g., to the prodomain of human PCSK9.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor disclosed herein e.g., an antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof
  • a further embodiment includes a method of detecting a PCSK9 polypeptide in a sample.
  • the method includes providing a sample (e.g., a biological sample), contacting the sample with a PCSK9 inhibitor described herein (e.g., under conditions suitable for specific binding of a PCSK9 polypeptide), and detecting a complex comprising the PCSK9 inhibitor.
  • Another embodiment includes a method of treating a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a PCSK9 inhibitor disclosed herein (e.g., a PCSK9 antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof that can bind, e.g., specifically bind, to the prodomain of a human PCSK9).
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor disclosed herein e.g., a PCSK9 antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof that can bind, e.g., specifically bind, to the prodomain of a human PCSK9.
  • the method further comprises administering a second agent (e.g., a conventional treatment, e.g., a statin) to the subject.
  • a second agent e.g., a conventional treatment, e.g., a statin
  • the second agent is administered concurrently with the PCKS9 inhibitor.
  • the second agent is part of the same composition as the PCSK9 inhibitor.
  • the second agent is in a separate composition.
  • the second agent is administered before or after the PCSK9 inhibitor.
  • the second agent can be one or more (e.g., a combination of) agents (e.g., lipid lowering agents or other agents known to be useful in treating a cholesterol-related disorder) disclosed herein or known in the art.
  • the second agent is a second PCSK9 inhibitor.
  • the second PCSK9 inhibitor is a protein or peptide (e.g., a PCSK9 antibody or antigen binding fragment) that binds to PCSK9.
  • the second PCSK9 inhibitor binds to a different epitope of PCSK9 (e.g., the second PCSK9 inhibitor does not bind to the prodomain of PCSK9 or binds to a different epitope of PCSK9 (e.g.
  • the second PCSK9 inhibitor binds to the catalytic domain of PCSK9, e.g., human PCSK9. In one embodiment, the second PCSK9 inhibitor binds to the C terminal domain of PCSK9, e.g., human PCSK9.
  • the second agent is a statin (statins include, e.g., lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin, and mevastatin), a fibrate (fibrates include, e.g., clofibrate, ciprofibrate, bezafibrate, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, and clinofibrate), ezetimibe, cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam, torcetrapib, avasimibe, implitapide, or niacin.
  • statins include, e.g., lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin, and mevastatin
  • a fibrate e.g., clofibrate,
  • the subject is at risk for or has been diagnosed with a cholesterol-related disorder.
  • the subject is at risk for or has been diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, or a dyslipidemia.
  • the dyslipidemia is elevated total serum cholesterol, elevated LDL, elevated triglycerides, elevated very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and/or low HDL.
  • VLDL very low density lipoprotein
  • the subject is a subject having an elevated level of circulating free
  • PCSK9 PCSK9
  • triglycerides e.g., triglycerides
  • LDL e.g., LDL-c
  • method further comprises selecting a subject for treatment with the PCSK9 inhibitor based on intolerance to or an inadequate response to a prior treatment with a lipid-lowering agent.
  • the subject has suffered an adverse effect during a prior treatment with a lipid-lowering agent.
  • adverse effects associated with statin use include increased concentrations of liver enzymes, muscle problems (e.g., muscle pain, myopathy, or rhabdomyolysis), diabetes or increased risk of diabetes, cognitive loss, neuropathy, pancreatic dysfunction, hepatic dysfunction, and sexual dysfunction.
  • Adverse effects associated with fibrate use include, e.g., peroxisome proliferation,
  • the treatment with the PCSK9 inhibitor disclosed herein is not associated with an adverse effect that is associated with another lipid-lowering agent.
  • the method comprises identifying a subject in need of treatment. In embodiments, the method comprises obtaining a sample from the subject prior to treatment (e.g., prior to treatment with the PCSK9 inhibitor or prior to treatment with a statin) and/or
  • the subject in need of treatment has an elevated level of circulating free PCSK9, triglycerides, and/or LDL.
  • the subject has elevated total serum cholesterol, elevated LDL, elevated triglycerides, elevated very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and/or low HDL.
  • VLDL very low density lipoprotein
  • the method is effective to reduce the level of circulating free PCSK9 in the subject (e.g., in the blood, plasma, or serum of the subject).
  • the level of free PCSK9 e.g., the blood, plasma, or serum level
  • the level of free PCSK9 is reduced relative to the level of free PCSK9 prior to administration of the PCSK9 inhibitor.
  • the method is effective to reduce the level of triglycerides and/or LDL
  • the level of triglycerides and/or LDL is reduced relative to the respective level of triglycerides and/or LDL (e.g., LDL-c) prior to administration of the PCSK9 inhibitor.
  • the method comprises obtaining a sample from the subject (e.g., a blood sample, plasma sample, or serum sample) before and/or after treatment with the PCSK9 inhibitor to identify a subject in need of treatment and/or to determine or monitor the efficacy of the treatment.
  • the method comprises analyzing the sample, e.g., determining the level of a variable of interest, e.g., a variable disclosed herein (e.g., (e.g., LDL-c), triglycerides, free PCSK9, serum cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, and/or HDL .
  • the method is effective to improve the level of the variable, e.g., to reduce the level of free PCSK9, triglycerides, and/or LDL (e.g., LDL-c). In embodiments, the method is effective to reduce total serum cholesterol level, reduce LDL level, reduce the level of triglycerides, reduce VLDL level, and/or increase HDL level.
  • LDL e.g., LDL-c
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor is an antibody, fragment, or variant thereof that exhibits pH-dependent binding to a PCSK9.
  • the subject is also treated with a second agent, e.g., a second agent disclosed herein, e.g., a statin.
  • the invention also relates to a PCSK9 inhibitor as disclosed herein (e.g., a PCSK9 antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof) for use in treating a PCSK9-associated disease in a subject.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor can specifically bind to the prodomain of a human PCSK9.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor is an antibody, fragment, or variant thereof that exhibits pH-dependent binding to a PCSK9.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor is used in combination with second agent, e.g., a second agent disclosed herein, e.g., a statin.
  • the invention further relates to use of a PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., a PCSK9 antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof) in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a PCSK9-associated disease in a subject.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor e.g., a PCSK9 antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor can specifically bind to the prodomain of a human PCSK9.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor is an antibody, fragment, or derivative that exhibits pH-dependent binding to a PCSK9.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor is used in combination with a second agent, e.g., a second agent disclosed herein, e.g., a statin.
  • Embodiment 1 An antibody, antibody fragment, or derivative thereof comprising at least one of SEQ ID NO:5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 that can specifically bind to the prodomain of a human PCSK9.
  • Embodiment 2 The antibody of Embodiment 1, wherein the antibody can inhibit an activity of a PCSK9.
  • Embodiment 4 The antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof of Embodiment 1 comprising SEQ ID NO:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
  • Embodiment 5 The antibody or fragment thereof of Embodiment 1, comprising sequences that are at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10.
  • Embodiment 6 The antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof of Embodiment 1, wherein the antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof can specifically bind to S127, D129, or S127 and D129 of SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • Embodiment 7 The antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof of Embodiment 1, wherein the antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof binds to PCSK9 with a 3 ⁇ 4 equal to or less than in a cell-based assay.
  • Embodiment 8 The antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof of Embodiment 1 comprising SEQ ID NOs: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
  • Embodiment 9 A method of inhibiting PCSK9, the method comprising contacting a sample comprising a PCSK9 with a PCSK9 antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof that can specifically bind to the prodomain of human PCSK9 and comprises SEQ ID NOs: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
  • Embodiment 10 A method of detecting a PCSK9 polypeptide in a sample, the method comprising (a) providing a sample, (b) contacting the sample with a PCSK9 antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof of Embodiment 1 under conditions suitable for specific binding of a PCSK9 polypeptide, and (c) detecting a complex comprising the PCSK9 antibody.
  • Embodiment 11 A method of treating a subject in need thereof, the method comprising (a) identifying a subject in need of treatment with a PCSK9 inhibitor; and (b) administering a therapeutically effective amount of a PCSK9 antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof to the subject, wherein the PCSK9 antibody can specifically bind to the prodomain of human PCSK9.
  • Embodiment 12 The method of Embodiment 11, further comprising testing the subject's plasma for free PCSK9 before and after treatment, wherein the subject has decreased free PCSK9 in their serum after treatment with the PCSK9 inhibitor compared to the level of free PCSK9 after treatment.
  • Embodiment 13 The method of Embodiment 11, further comprising testing the subject's plasma for free PCSK9 after treatment and comparing it to a reference.
  • Embodiment 14 The method of Embodiment 11, wherein the subject is at risk for or has been diagnosed with a cholesterol-related disorder.
  • Embodiment 15 The method of Embodiment 11, wherein the subject is at risk for or has been diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, or a dyslipidemia, e.g., elevated total serum cholesterol, elevated LDL, elevated triglycerides, elevated very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and/or low HDL.
  • hypercholesterolemia e.g., elevated total serum cholesterol, elevated LDL, elevated triglycerides, elevated very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and/or low HDL.
  • VLDL very low density lipoprotein
  • Embodiment 16 The method of Embodiment 11, further comprising treating the subject with a statin.
  • Embodiment 17 A vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof of Embodiment 1.
  • Embodiment 18 A host cell comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof of Embodiment 1.
  • Embodiment 19 A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof of Embodiment 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
  • Embodiment 20 A kit comprising an antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof of Embodiment 1 and instructions for use of the antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof.
  • Fig. 1 is a graph depicting the results of ELISA experiments determining the binding affinity of antibodies for human PCSK9.
  • Fig. 2 is a graph depicting the results of a yeast binding titration assay determining binding affinity of PCSK9 antibodies.
  • Fig. 3 is a graph depicting plasma LDL-c levels in monkeys treated with PCSK9 antibodies.
  • Fig. 4 is a graph depicting triglyceride levels in monkeys treated with PCSK9 antibodies.
  • Fig. 5 is a graph depicting cholesterol levels in monkeys treated with PCSK9 antibodies.
  • Fig. 6 is a graph depicting the results of PSCK9 antibody PK assays in monkeys.
  • Fig. 7 is a graph depicting the results of assays determining the amount of unbound PCSK9 in monkeys treated with PCSK9 antibody.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor e.g., an antibody
  • PCSK9 inhibitors disclosed herein were found to be effective in decreasing LDL (e.g., LDL-c), triglycerides, and circulating levels of free PCSK9.
  • PCSK9 inhibitors disclosed herein can be used, e.g., to treat cholesterol-related disorders, either alone or in combination with a second agent, e.g., another treatment for a cholesterol-related disorder (e.g., a statin or a fibrate).
  • PCSK9 inhibitors disclosed herein can also be used to improve pharmacokinetics and/or improve dosing of a second agent.
  • administration of a PCSK9 inhibitor disclosed herein may allow less frequent dosing and/or administration of a lower doseof a second agent, e.g., a second agent described herein.
  • the second agent can be another PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., a protein or peptide (e.g., an antibody or antigen binding fragment) that binds a different epitope of PCSK9 (e.g., human PCSK9), e.g., an epitope in the catalytic domain or the C terminal domain of PCSK9).
  • the second agent can also be any known lipid-lowering agent (e.g., a statin, a fibrate, ezetimibe, cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam, torcetrapib, avasimibe, implitapide, or niacin).
  • lipid-lowering agent e.g., a statin, a fibrate, ezetimibe, cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam, torcetrapib, avasimibe, implitapide, or niacin.
  • PCSK9 inhibitors disclosed herein generally have high affinity for PCKS9.
  • the inhibitors disclosed herein are not targeted to the catalytic domain or the C terminal domain of PCSK9 but instead bind to the prodomain of PCSK9 (e.g., the prodomain of human PCSK9).
  • the terms “treat”, “treating,” “treatment” and the like refer to a measurable or clinically observable therapeutic effect.
  • the effect is an improvement in a patient's condition, e.g., as indicated by prevention or reduction of at least one sign or symptom of the disease, a reduction in the severity of at least one sign or symptom of the disease, or inhibition of the progression of at least one sign or symptom of the disease.
  • a molecule that is a PCSK9 inhibitor can bind to PCSK9.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor can specifically bind to a PCSK9 and does not significantly bind to molecules other than PCSK9, unless the molecule also contains a distinct binding portion that binds to a molecule other than a PCSK9, (for example as in some bispecific or bifunctional molecules that have multiple functions, at least one of which is to specifically bind PCSK9).
  • a molecule as described herein that can specifically bind a PCSK9 generally has a dissociation constant (K d ) of ⁇ 0.4 nM, e.g., ⁇ 0.3 nM, ⁇ 0.2 nM, ⁇ 0.1 nM, ⁇ 0.1 nM when assayed using human PCSK9, e.g., in an ELISA or Octet ® assay.
  • K d dissociation constant
  • the K d is between about 0.01 and 100 nM, 0.1 nM and 100 nM, between about 0.1 nM and 50 nM, between about 0.1 and 20 nM, between about 0.2 nM and 10 nM, between about 0.2 nM and 1 nM, between about 1 nM and 10 nM, between about 0.01 and 10 nM, between about 0.01 and 1 nM, 10 and 100 pM), or between 10 and 20 pM for binding to a PCSK9, e.g., a human PCSK9.
  • a PCSK9 e.g., a human PCSK9.
  • the K d is between 0.1 nM and 100 nM, between 0.1 nM and 50 nM, between 0.1 and 20 nM, between 0.2 nM and 10 nM, between 0.2 and 1 nM, between 1 nM and 10 nM for binding to a PCSK9, e.g., a human PCSK9.
  • a PCSK9 e.g., a human PCSK9.
  • a PCSK9 antibody can specifically bind to an epitope, e.g., an epitope in the prodomain, of PCSK9 that is conserved among PCSK9 from different species, for example, at least between human and one or more of a primate (e.g., rhesus monkey, African green monkey, or cynomologous monkey), rodent (e.g., rat, mouse, guinea pig), or other mammal (e.g., canine, bovine, ovine, equine, or camelid).
  • a primate e.g., rhesus monkey, African green monkey, or cynomologous monkey
  • rodent e.g., rat, mouse, guinea pig
  • other mammal e.g., canine, bovine, ovine, equine, or camelid.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor e.g., an antibody
  • an inhibitor e.g., an antibody
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor inhibits a PCSK9 activity, e.g., with a Ki of less than 10 "5 , 10 " 6 , 10 "7 , 10 "8 , 10 "9 , or 10 "10 M.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor has an IC50 of less than 100 nM, 10 nM, or 1 nM.
  • Affinity of a PCSK9 inhibitor can be determined using methods known in the art.
  • K d can be measured using a radiolabeled antigen binding assay (RIA) performed with the Fab derived from a test PCSK9 antibody and PCSK9.
  • RIA radiolabeled antigen binding assay
  • solution binding affinity of a Fab for PCSK9 is measured by equilibrating the Fab with a minimal concentration of ( 125 I)-labeled PCSK9 in the presence of a titration series of unlabeled PCSK9, then capturing bound antigen with an anti-Fab antibody-coated plate.
  • Methods of performing RIAs are known in the art.
  • K d is determined using a surface plasmon resonance assay with a
  • BIACORE ® -2000 or a BIACORE ® -3000 (BIAcore, Inc., Piscataway, N.J.) with PCSK9 immobilized on carboxymethylated dextran biosensor chips. Methods are generally those recommended by the manufacturer. Association rates (k on ) and dissociation rates (k Q ff) are calculated using a simple one-to-one Langmuir binding model (BIACORE® Evaluation
  • the equilibrium dissociation constant (K d ) is calculated as the ratio k 0 ff/k on (e.g., Chen et al., J Mol Biol 293:865-881, 1999).
  • K d is determined by biolayer interferometry using an Octet ® RED96 System (ForteBIO, Menlo Park, CA).
  • Antibodies are captured on anti-human-IgG-Fc coated tips then incubated in target antigen at a range of concentrations. Optical thickness is measured over time to assess association. Tips are then dipped into buffer and antigen dissociation measured over time. Association and dissociation rates are fit to a 1:1 reversible biomolecular interaction model to determin k on , k Q ff, and Kd.
  • the invention is an antibody that can specifically bind a PCSK9.
  • antibody refers to antibody molecules including, but not limited to monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies), and antibody fragments that exhibit specific binding to PCSK9.
  • An "antibody fragment” refers to a molecule other than an intact antibody that comprises a portion of an intact antibody that binds the antigen to which the intact antibody binds.
  • antibody fragments include without limitation Fv, Fab, Fab', Fab'-SH, F(ab') 2 ; diabodies; triabodies, tetrabodies, linear antibodies; single-chain antibody molecules (e.g., scFv); and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments. Such fragments are further discussed infra.
  • the term "antibody” should be read as “antibody, fragment, or variant thereof except when, as will be apparent to those in the art, the term exclusively refers to an antibody. Examples of CDRs from PCSK9 antibodies that are PCSK9 inhibitors are in Table 1.
  • the invention described herein also encompasses antibodies with a shared epitope with an antibody described herein.
  • Methods of determining whether a first antibody has a shared epitope with a second antibody are known in the art.
  • an antibody with a shared epitope can be identified by the ability of the antibody to block binding of a reference antibody (e.g., a PCSK9 antibody described herein) in a competition assay by at least 50%.
  • Another method for identifying such an antibody is by determining whether a reference antibody described herein can block binding of the antibody to PCSK9 by at least 50%.
  • Another method for determining competition between two antibodies is a bridging assay in which a first antibody is captured on an ELISA plate or SPR chip, PCSK9 is then bound to the first antibody followed by incubation with the second antibody to permit binding. If the second antibody is captured on the plate or chip through the bound PCSK9 then it is non-competitive with the first antibody.
  • Antibodies having a shared epitope and therefore encompassed by the invention include antibodies that have a shared epitope with an antibody described herein as determined using mutation studies, crystallography, or other methods known in the art.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor increases the availability of LDL receptors when administered to an animal, e.g., a mammal such as a human, non-human primate, mouse, rat, guinea pig, pig, sheep, cow, dog, cat, or horse.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor is an antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof that can specifically bind to an epitope within a fragment of PCSK9 as described herein.
  • the antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof binds to an epitope in a fragment of a human PCSK9 polypeptide, the amino acid sequence of which is depicted in SEQ ID NO:l.
  • the functional and/or structural epitope of an antibody according to this invention is between residues 31 and 152 (SEQ ID NO: 12), inclusive (prodomain) of human PCSK9 (as depicted in SEQ ID NO:l). qededgdyee lvlalrseed glaeapehgt tatfhrcakd pwrlpgtyvv vlkeethlsq
  • sertarrlqa qaarrgyltk ilhvfhgllp gflvkmsgdl lelalklphv dyieedssvf aq (SEQ ID NO: 12)
  • the epitope comprises SEQ ID NO: 12.
  • the epitope is between residues 61 and 152, inclusive, of human PCSK9 (e.g., of SEQ ID NO:l), for example, tatfhrcakd pwrlpgtyvv vlkeethlsq sertarrlqa qaarrgyltk ilhvfhgllp gflvkmsgdl lelalklphv dyieedssvf aq (SEQ ID NO: 13).
  • human PCSK9 e.g., of SEQ ID NO:l
  • the epitope comprises SEQ ID NO: 13. In some embodiments, the epitope includes at least residues 31 to 151, inclusive of SEQ ID NO:l (SEQ ID NO: 14) qededgdyee lvlalrseed glaeapehgt tatfhrcakd pwrlpgtyvv vlkeethlsq
  • sertarrlqa qaarrgyltk ilhvfhgllp gflvkmsgdl lelalklphv dyieedssvf a (SEQ ID NO: 14)
  • the epitope comprises SEQ ID NO: 14.
  • the epitope includes at least one residue of human PCSK9 selected from the group consisting of S127 and D129.
  • the functional and/or structural epitope of an antibody, fragment, or derivative according to this invention is not in the catalytic domain of PCSK9, for example the eptitope is not between residues 153 and 447, inclusive, of human PCSK9 (SEQ ID NO: 15).
  • the epitope does not comprise SEQ ID NO: 15.
  • the epitope does not include D192, R194, D238, D374, or S376 of human PCSK9. In some embodiments, the epitope does not include at least two, three, four, or five of these residues.
  • the functional and/or structural epitope of an antibody according to this invention is not in the C-terminal domain of PCSK9, for example the epitope is not within residues 453 to 662 of SEQ ID NO:l, inclusive, e.g., within SEQ ID NO:16, inclusive.
  • wqlfcrtv wsahsgptrm atavarcapd eellscssfs rsgkrrgerm eaqggklvcr
  • the epitope does not comprise SEQ ID NO: 16.
  • the epitope of a PCSK9 antibody does not include one or more of residues R194, E195, D238, A239, A341, Q342, E366, D367, 1369, S376, T377, C378, F379, S381, H391 of SEQ ID NO:l, e.g., the epitope does not include two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen of the residues. In some cases, the epitope of a PCSK9 antibody does not extend from residues 153 to 205 of SEQ ID NO:l, e.g., residues 194-199 of SEQ ID NO:l.
  • Antibodies described herein can include chimeric antibodies.
  • Chimeric antibodies are known in the art, for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; and Morrison et al. (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 81:6851-6855, 1984).
  • a chimeric antibody comprises a non-human variable region (e.g., a variable region derived from a mouse, rat, hamster, rabbit, or non-human primate, such as a monkey) and a human constant region.
  • a chimeric antibody is a class switched antibody in which the class or subclass has been changed to differ from that of the parent antibody. Chimeric antibodies include antigen-binding fragments of a parent antibody or variants of such fragments.
  • a chimeric antibody can be a humanized antibody.
  • a humanized antibody comprises one or more variable domains in which CDRs or portions of CDRs are derived from a non-human antibody, and framework regions or portions of framework regions are derived from human antibody sequences.
  • a humanized antibody also comprises at least a portion of a human constant region.
  • selected framework residues are substituted with corresponding residues from a non-human antibody (e.g., the antibody from which the
  • CDRs are derived), e.g., to restore or improve antibody specificity, affinity, or pH dependence.
  • Humanized antibodies and methods of making them are known in the art, for example, Konterman and Diibel (Antibody Engineering, 2010, Springer), Riechmann et al. (Nature
  • Human framework regions that can be used for humanization include but are not limited to framework regions selected using a best- fit method (e.g., Sims et al. J Immunol 151:2296, 1993); framework regions derived from the consensus sequence of human antibodies of a particular subgroup of light or heavy chain variable regions (e.g., Carter et al.
  • a PCSK9 antibody as described herein can be a human antibody.
  • Such antibodies can be generated using methods known in the art, for example, in Lonberg (Curr Opin Immunol 20:450- 459, 2008).
  • a human antibody is generated by administering an immunogen to a transgenic animal that has been modified to produce intact human antibodies or intact antibodies with human variable regions. Examples of such methods are found in Lonberg, (Nat Biotech 23:1117-1125, 2005); U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,075,181 and 6,150,584; U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,429; U.S. Pat. No. 7,041,870, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0061900. Human variable regions from intact antibodies generated using such animals can be further modified, for example, via combination with other human constant regions.
  • Human antibodies can also be made by hybridoma-based methods. Such methods are known in the art, and are described, for example, in Kozbor (J Immunol, 133:3001,1984);
  • Human antibodies can also be generated by isolating Fv clone variable domain sequences selected from human-derived phage display libraries.
  • the selected variable domain sequences can be combined with a selected human constant domain.
  • PCSK9 antibodies may be isolated by screening combinatorial libraries for antibodies with the desired activity or activities. For example, a variety of methods are known in the art for generating phage display libraries and screening such libraries for antibodies possessing the desired binding characteristics (e.g., Hoogenboom et al. In: Methods in Molecular Biology
  • PCSK9 inhibitors e.g., antibodies
  • methods of identifying PCSK9 inhibitors are those described in the Examples.
  • repertoires of VH and VL genes are separately cloned by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and recombined randomly in phage libraries, which can then be screened for antigen-binding phage as described in Winter et al. (Ann Rev Immunol 12: 433-455, 1994).
  • Phage typically display antibody fragments, either as single-chain Fv (scFv) fragments or as Fab fragments.
  • scFv single-chain Fv
  • the naive repertoire can be cloned (e.g., from human) to provide a single source of antibodies to a wide range of non-self and also self antigens without any immunization as described by Griffiths et al., EMBO J, 12: 725-734 (1993).
  • Naive libraries can be made synthetically by cloning unrearranged V-gene segments from stem cells, and using PCR primers containing random sequence to encode the highly variable CDR3 regions and to accomplish rearrangement in vitro, as described by Hoogenboom and Winter (J Mol Biol, 227: 381-388, 1992).
  • Patent publications describing human antibody phage libraries include, for example: U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,373, and US Patent Publication Nos.
  • yeast display methods such as those known in the art can be used to identify a PCSK9 inhibitor, e.g., antibody, for example, see Feldhaus et al. (Nature
  • a human antibody or fragment that is isolated from a human antibody library is a human antibody or fragment.
  • antibody variants refers to variants and derivatives of an antibody described herein.
  • amino acid sequence variants of the antibodies described herein are contemplated. For example, it may be desirable to improve the binding affinity and/or other biological properties of the antibody.
  • Amino acid sequence variants of an antibody may be prepared by introducing appropriate modifications into the nucleotide sequence encoding the antibody, or by peptide synthesis. Such modifications include, for example, deletions from, and/or insertions into and/or substitutions of residues within the amino acid sequences of the antibody.
  • any combination of deletion, insertion, and substitution can be made to arrive at the final construct, provided that the final construct possesses the desired characteristics, e.g., antigen- binding.
  • antibody variants having one or more amino acid substitutions are provided.
  • Sites of interest for substitution mutagenesis include the HVRs and framework sequences. Examples of such substitutions are provided in Table 2.
  • Amino acid substitutions may be introduced into an antibody of interest and the products screened for a desired activity, e.g., retained/improved antigen binding, decreased immunogenicity, or improved ADCC or CDC. Substitutions may be conservative or non-conservative.
  • one or more hypervariable region residues of a parent antibody are substituted.
  • variants are then selected based on improvements in desired properties compared to a parent antibody, for example, increased affinity, reduced affinity, reduced immunogenicity, increased pH dependence of binding.
  • an affinity matured variant antibody can be generated, e.g., using phage display-based affinity maturation techniques such as those described herein and known in the art.
  • Substitutions can be made in hypervariable regions (HVR) of a parent PCSK9 antibody to generate variants having desirable properties (e.g., as in Chowdhury, Methods Mol Biol 207:179-196, 2008), and/or in SDRs.
  • the variants generated using such methods are generally selected by testing binding affinity.
  • Affinity maturation by constructing and reselecting from secondary libraries has been described, e.g., in Hoogenboom et al. in Methods in Molecular Biology 178:1-37 (O'Brien et al., ed., Humana Press, Totowa, N.J., 2001).
  • variable genes chosen for maturation are introduced into the variable genes chosen for maturation by any of a variety of methods (e.g., error-prone PCR, chain shuffling, or oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis).
  • a secondary library is then created. The library is then screened to identify any antibody variants with the desired affinity.
  • Another method to introduce diversity involves HVR- directed approaches, in which several HVR residues (e.g., 4-6 residues at a time) are
  • HVR residues involved in antigen binding may be specifically identified, e.g., using alanine scanning mutagenesis or modeling. Substitutions can be in one, two, three, four, or more sites within a parent antibody sequence.
  • Amino acid sequence insertions include amino- and/or carboxyl-terminal fusions ranging in length from one residue to polypeptides containing a hundred or more residues, as well as intrasequence insertions of single or multiple amino acid residues.
  • terminal insertions include an antibody with an N-terminal methionyl residue.
  • Other insertional variants of the antibody molecule include the fusion to the N- or C-terminus of the antibody to an enzyme (e.g., for ADEPT) or a polypeptide which increases the serum half-life of the antibody.
  • a PCSK9 antibody is modified such that its glycosylation pattern is altered compared to a parent antibody.
  • Addition or deletion of glycosylation sites to an antibody can be accomplished by altering the amino acid sequence such that one or more glycosylation sites is created or removed.
  • Methods of engineering antibodies to modify glycosylation sites are known in the art.
  • one or more amino acid modifications may be introduced into the Fc region of an antibody provided herein, thereby generating an Fc region variant.
  • the Fc region variant may comprise a human Fc region sequence (e.g., a human IgGl, IgG2, IgG3 or IgG4 Fc region) comprising an amino acid modification (e.g. a substitution) at one or more amino acid positions.
  • the invention relates to an antibody variant that possesses some but not all effector functions, which make it a desirable candidate for applications in which the half-life of the antibody in vivo is important yet certain effector functions (such as complement and ADCC) are unnecessary or deleterious.
  • In vitro and/or in vivo cytotoxicity assays can be conducted to confirm the reduction/depletion of CDC and/or ADCC activities.
  • Fc receptor (FcR) binding assays can be conducted to ensure that the antibody lacks FcyR binding (hence likely lacking ADCC activity), but retains FcRn binding ability.
  • NK cells express FcyRIII only, whereas monocytes express FcyRI, FcyRII and FcyRIII.
  • FcR expression on hematopoietic cells is summarized in Table 3 on page 464 of Ravetch and Kinet (Annu Rev Immunol 9:457-492, 1991).
  • Non-limiting examples of in vitro assays to assess ADCC activity of a molecule of interest is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,362 (see, e.g. Hellstrom et al. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci.
  • non-radioactive assays methods may be employed (see, for example, CytoTox 96® non-radioactive cytotoxicity assay (Promega,
  • PBMC peripheral blood mononuclear cells
  • NK natural killer cells
  • ADCC activity of the molecule of interest may be assessed in vivo, e.g., in an animal model such as that disclosed in Clynes et al. (Proc Nat Acad Sci USA 95:652-656, 1998).
  • Clq binding assays may also be carried out to confirm that the antibody is unable to bind Clq and hence lacks CDC activity (e.g., WO 2006/029879 and WO 2005/100402).
  • a CDC assay can be performed to evaluate complement activity (for example, Gazzano-Santoro et al., J Immunol Meth 202:163, 1996; Cragg et al., Blood 101:1045-1052, 2003; and Cragg and Glennie, Blood 103:2738-2743, 2004).
  • FcRn binding and in vivo clearance/half-life determinations can be performed using methods known in the art (e.g., Petkova et al., Int Immunol 18:1759-1769, 2006).
  • Antibodies with increased half-lives and improved binding to the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) are described in, for example, US2005/0014934A1.
  • Such antibodies comprise an Fc region with one or more substitutions therein which improve binding of the Fc region to FcRn.
  • the Fc variants include those with substitutions at one or more of Fc region residues: 238, 256, 265, 272, 286, 303, 305, 307, 311, 312, 317, 340, 356, 360, 362, 376, 378, 380, 382, 413, 424 or 434, e.g., substitution of Fc region residue 434 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,371,826).
  • Fc region variants are known in the art, for example, Duncan and Winter (Nature 322:738-740, 1988); U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,260; U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,821; and WO 94/29351.
  • a PCSK9 antibody provided herein is further modified to contain one of more non-protein moieties that are known in the art.
  • the moieties include but are not limited to water soluble polymers.
  • Non-limiting examples of water soluble polymers include, polyethylene glycol (PEG), copolymers of ethylene glycol/propylene glycol,
  • polystyrene resin polystyrene resin
  • polystyrene resin polystyrene resin
  • polyvinyl alcohol polyvinyl pyrrolidone
  • poly-l,3-dioxolane poly-l,3,6-trioxane
  • ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymer polyaminoacids (homopolymers or random copolymers)
  • propropylene glycol homopolymers prolypropylene oxide/ethylene oxide co-polymers
  • polyoxyethylated polyols e.g., glycerol
  • polyvinyl alcohol and mixtures thereof.
  • the polymer may be of any molecular weight, and may be branched or unbranched.
  • the number of polymers attached to the antibody may vary. In embodiments in which more than one polymer is attached, the polymers can be the same or different
  • PCSK9 antibodies described herein can be produced using recombinant methods and compositions as are known in the art, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567.
  • isolated nucleic acid encoding a PCSK9 antibody described herein is provided.
  • Such nucleic acid can encode an amino acid sequence comprising the VL and/or an amino acid sequence comprising the VH of the antibody (e.g., the light and/or heavy chains of the antibody).
  • one or more vectors e.g., expression vectors
  • a host cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding all or a fragment of a PCSK9 antibody is provided.
  • a host cell comprises a vector comprising a nucleic acid that encodes an amino acid sequence comprising the VL of the antibody and an amino acid sequence comprising the VH of the antibody, or a first vector comprising a nucleic acid that encodes an amino acid sequence comprising the VL of the antibody and a second vector comprising a nucleic acid that encodes an amino acid sequence comprising the VH of the antibody.
  • the host cell comprises nucleic acid sequences encoding a VH and a VL of a PCSK9 antibody and, optionally a vector or portion of a vector.
  • the VH and VL encoding sequence is integrated into a
  • a method of making a PCSK9 antibody comprises culturing a host cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding the antibody, as provided above, under conditions suitable for expression of the antibody or variant thereof, and optionally recovering the antibody from the host cell or from host cell culture medium.
  • nucleic acid encoding an antibody or variant thereof is isolated and inserted into one or more vectors for further cloning and/or expression in a host cell.
  • a nucleic acid can be isolated and sequenced using methods known in the art.
  • Suitable host cells for cloning or expression of antibody-encoding vectors include prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells described herein.
  • prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells described herein.
  • antibodies or variants thereof may be produced in bacteria, in particular when glycosylation and Fc effector function are not needed or are undesirable.
  • Non-limiting examples of such methods are described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.
  • the antibody can be isolated from the bacteria and further purified.
  • Eukaryotes such as filamentous fungi or yeast can also be used as cloning and/or expression hosts for vectors comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding PCSK9 antibodies or fragments, including fungi and yeast strains whose glycosylation pathways have been
  • Suitable host cells for the expression of an antibody include those of invertebrate origin.
  • Baculovirus strains are known in the art and can be used as vectors in conjunction with insect cells.
  • Plant cells can be utilized as hosts (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,959,177, 6,040,498, 6,420,548, 7,125,978, and 6,417,429, and plantibody technology for producing antibodies in transgenic plants).
  • Cells derived from a vertebrate, e.g., a mammal can be used as hosts.
  • mammalian host cell lines include monkey kidney CV1 line transformed by SV40 (COS-7); human embryonic kidney line (293 or 293 cells); baby hamster kidney cells (BHK); mouse Sertoli cells (TM4 cells as described, e.g., in Mather, Biol Reprod 23:243-251, 1980); monkey kidney cells (CV1); African green monkey kidney cells (VERO-76); human cervical carcinoma cells (HELA); canine kidney cells (MDCK; buffalo rat liver cells (BRL 3A); human lung cells (W138); human liver cells (Hep G2); mouse mammary tumor (MMT 060562); TRl cells (e.g., in Mather et al., Annals N.Y.
  • MRC 5 cells MRC 5 cells
  • FS4 cells Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, including DHFR " CHO cells (Urlaub et al., Proc Nat Acad Sci USA 77:4216, 1980); and myeloma cell lines such as YO, NSO and Sp20. Methods for using such cells are known in the art, for example, Yazaki and Wu (Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 248, B.K.C. Lo, ed., Humana Press, Totowa, NJ, pp. 255-268, 2003).
  • PCSK9 antibodies as described herein can be identified, screened for, or characterized for their physical/chemical properties and/or biological activities by various assays known in the art. Non-limiting methods are known in the art and some are described infra and in the Examples.
  • the PCSK9 binding activity of a PCSK9 antibody is assayed.
  • Methods for conducting such assays are known in the art, for example, using ELISA, Western blot, or related methods.
  • a competitive binding assay can be used to determine whether a selected PCSK9 antibody competes with another antibody.
  • competition can be assayed using solid phase direct or indirect radioimmunoassay (RIA), solid phase direct or indirect enzyme immunoassay (EIA), sandwich competition assay (see, e.g., Stahli et al., 1983, Methods in Enzymology 9:242-253); solid phase direct biotin-avidin EIA (see, e.g., Kirkland et al., 1986, J Immunol 137:3614-3619) solid phase direct labeled assay, solid phase direct labeled sandwich assay (see, e.g., Harlow and Lane, 1988, Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, Cold
  • solid phase direct label RIA using I 125 label (see, e.g., Morel et al., Molec Immunol 25:7-15, 1988); solid phase direct biotin-avidin EIA (see, e.g., Cheung, et al., Virology 176:546-552, 1990); and direct labeled RIA (Moldenhauer et al., Scand J Immunol. 32:77-82, 1990).
  • purified antigen is bound to a solid surface or cells bearing an unlabeled test antigen binding protein and a labeled reference antigen binding protein.
  • Competitive inhibition is measured by determining the amount of label bound to the solid surface or cells in the presence of the test antigen binding protein.
  • the test antigen binding protein is present in excess.
  • Antigen binding proteins identified by competition assay include antigen binding proteins binding to the same epitope as the reference antigen binding proteins and antigen binding proteins binding to an adjacent epitope sufficiently proximal to the epitope bound by the reference antigen binding protein for steric hindrance to occur. Additional details regarding methods for determining competitive binding are provided in the examples herein.
  • a competing antigen binding protein when present in excess, it will inhibit (e.g., reduce) specific binding of a reference antigen binding protein to a common antigen by at least 40-45%, 45-50%, 50-55%, 55-60%, 60-65%, 65-70%, 70-75% or 75% or more. In certain embodiments, binding is inhibited by at least 80-85%, 85- 90%, 90-95%, 95-97%, or 97% or more.
  • a competition assay is used to identify an antibody that can compete with a selected PCSK9 antibody described herein.
  • the competing antibody binds to the same epitope (e.g., a linear or a conformational epitope) that is bound by a PCSK9 antibody described herein.
  • epitope e.g., a linear or a conformational epitope
  • Methods for mapping an antibody epitope are known in the art are described in, for example, Morris (1996, "Epitope Mapping Protocols," in Methods in Molecular Biology vol. 66 (Humana Press, Totowa, NJ).
  • immobilized PCSK9 is incubated in a solution that contains a first labeled antibody that can bind to PCSK9 (e.g., a PCSK9 antibody described herein) and a second unlabeled antibody that is being tested for its ability to compete with the first antibody for binding to PCSK9.
  • the second antibody can optionally be present in a hybridoma supernatant.
  • immobilized PCSK9 is incubated in a solution comprising the first labeled antibody but not the second unlabeled antibody. After incubation under conditions that permit binding of the first antibody to PCSK9, excess unbound antibody is removed, and the amount of label associated with immobilized PCSK9 is measured.
  • An activity assay can be used to identify a PCSK9 antibody having a biological activity.
  • Biological activity of a PCSK9 antibody can include, e.g., blocking, antagonizing, suppressing, interfering, modulating and/or reducing one or more biological activities of PCSK9.
  • Such an assay can be an in vitro assay, for example an ELISA assay measuring the ability of the antibody to block PCSK9-LDLR binding, or a cell-based LDL uptake assay. In some cases, the assay is an in vivo assay.
  • a PCSK9 antibody can specifically bind human PCSK9 and can prevent interaction of PCSK9 with the LDLR.
  • a PCSK9 antibody as provided herein can inhibit binding of human PCSK9 to LDLR by at least about 20%-40%, 40- 60%, 60-80%, 80-85%, or more (as determined, for example, by measuring binding in an in vitro competitive binding assay), for example by at least 20%, at least 40%, at least 60%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95%.
  • the invention provides isolated PCSK9 antibodies that specifically bind to PCSK9 and which antagonize the PCSK9- mediated effect on LDLR levels when measured in vitro using an LDLR down regulation assay in HepG2 cells.
  • a PCSK9 antibody is conjugated (e.g., by a covalent attachment (e.g., via a peptide bind, e.g., via a peptide linker) or non-covalent attachment) to at least one heterologous agent, creating an immunoconjugate.
  • agents can be, e.g., cytotoxic agents, including a chemotherapeutic agent or drug, a growth inhibitory agent, or a toxin (e.g., a protein toxin, toxic enzyme, or radioactive isotope).
  • the PCSK9 antibody is conjugated to one or more drugs, including but not limited to a maytansinoid (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,208,020, 5,416,064 and European Patent EP 0 425 235); an auristatin such as
  • MMAE and MMAF monomethylauristatin drug moieties DE and DF
  • MMAE and MMAF monomethylauristatin drug moieties DE and DF
  • MMAE and MMAF monomethylauristatin drug moieties DE and DF
  • a dolastatin a calicheamicin or derivative thereof
  • U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,712,374, 5,714,586, 5,739,116, 5,767,285, 5,770,701, 5,770,710, 5,773,001, and 5,877,296 Hinman et al., Cancer Res 53:3336-3342, 1993
  • an immunoconjugate comprises an antibody (e.g., an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof) as described herein conjugated to an enzymatically active toxin or fragment thereof, including but not limited to diphtheria A chain, nonbinding active fragments of diphtheria toxin, exotoxin A chain (from Pseudomonas aeruginosa), ricin A chain, abrin A chain, modeccin A chain, alpha-sarcin, Aleurites fordii proteins, dianthin proteins, Phytolaca americana proteins (PAPI, PAPII, and PAP-S), momordica charantia inhibitor, curcin, crotin, sapaonaria officinalis inhibitor, gelonin, mitogellin, restrictocin, phenomycin, enomycin, and the tricothecenes.
  • an antibody e.g., an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof
  • an enzymatically active toxin or fragment thereof including but
  • an immunoconjugate comprises an antibody as described herein conjugated to a radioactive atom to form a radioconjugate.
  • a radioactive atom to form a radioconjugate.
  • radioactive isotopes are available for the production of radioconjugates. Examples include At 211 , 1 131 , 1 125 , Y 90 , Re 186 ,
  • the radioconjugate can include a radioactive atom for scintigraphic studies, or a spin label for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging, e.g., iodine 123 , iodine 131 , indium 111 , fluorine 19 , carbon 13 , nitrogen 15 , oxygen 17 , gadolinium, manganese or iron.
  • NMR nuclear magnetic resonance
  • Conjugates of an antibody and cytotoxic agent can be made using methods known in the art, typically using bifunctional protein coupling agents such as N-succinimidyl-3-(2- pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP), succinimidyl-4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-l- carboxylate (SMCC), iminothiolane (IT), bifunctional derivatives of imidoesters (such as dimethyl adipimidate HC1), active esters (such as disuccinimidyl suberate), aldehydes (such as glutaraldehyde), bis-azido compounds (such as bis (p-azidobenzoyl) hexanediamine), bis- diazonium derivatives (such as bis-(p-diazoniumbenzoyl)-ethylenediamine), diisocyanates (such as toluene 2,6-diisocyanate), and bis-active fluorine compounds
  • a ricin immunotoxin can be prepared as described in Vitetta et al., Science 238:1098 (1987).
  • Carbon- 14-labeled l-isothiocyanatobenzyl-3-methyldiethylene triaminepentaacetic acid (MX-DTPA) is an exemplary chelating agent for conjugation of radionucleotide to the antibody. See WO94/11026.
  • the linker may be a "cleavable linker" facilitating release of a cytotoxic drug in the cell.
  • an acid-labile linker, peptidase- sensitive linker, photolabile linker, dimethyl linker or disulfide-containing linker (Chari et al., Cancer Res. 52:127-131 (1992); U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,020) may be used.
  • the immunuoconjugates herein expressly contemplate, but are not limited to such conjugates prepared with cross-linker reagents including, but not limited to, BMPS, EMCS, GMBS, HBVS, LC-SMCC, MBS, MPBH, SBAP, SIA, SLAB, SMCC, SMPB, SMPH, sulfo-
  • EMCS sulfo-GMBS, sulfo-KMUS, sulfo-MBS, sulfo-SIAB, sulfo-SMCC, and sulfo-SMPB, and SVSB (succinimidyl-(4-vinylsulfone)benzoate) which are commercially available (e.g., from Pierce Biotechnology, Inc., Rockford, 111., U.S.A). Detection ofPCSK9 and Diagnostics
  • a PCSK9 antibody as described herein is useful for detecting the presence of PCSK9, for example, in a biological sample.
  • Detecting encompasses quantitative or qualitative detection.
  • a biological sample can be blood, serum, plasma, CSF, or other samples of biological origin including a cell or a tissue.
  • a PCSK9 antibody for use in a method of diagnosis or detection, for example, in a method of detecting the presence of PCSK9 in a biological sample.
  • the method comprises detecting the presence of PCSK9 protein in a biological sample.
  • PCSK9 is human PCSK9.
  • the method comprises contacting the biological sample with a PCSK9 antibody as described herein under conditions permissive for binding of the PCSK9 antibody to PCSK9, and detecting whether a complex is formed between the PCSK9 antibody and PCSK9.
  • Such method may be an in vitro or in vivo method.
  • a PCSK9 antibody is used to select subjects eligible for therapy with a PCSK9 antibody, e.g. where PCSK9 or LDL-cholesterol is a biomarker for selection of patients.
  • disorders that can be diagnosed using a PCSK9 inhibitor as described herein or for which assay of PCSK9 is otherwise useful include without limitation, cholesterol-related disorders such as hypercholesterolemia, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer' s disease and generally dyslipidemias, which can be manifested, for example, by an elevated total serum cholesterol, elevated LDL, elevated triglycerides, elevated very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and/or low HDL.
  • cholesterol-related disorders such as hypercholesterolemia, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer' s disease and generally dyslipidemias, which can be manifested, for example, by an elevated total serum cholesterol, elevated LDL, elevated triglycerides, elevated very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and/or low HDL.
  • VLDL very low density lipoprotein
  • An embodiment includes a method for treating or preventing hypercholesterolemia, and/or at least one symptom of dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease (CVD) or coronary heart disease, in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a PCSK9 inhibitor.
  • a therapeutically effective amount of an PCSK9 inhibitor is for use in treating or preventing a cholesterol-related disorder (e.g., hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, CVD or coronary heart disease), in a subject.
  • the invention further provides the use of an effective amount of a PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., an inhibitor that decreases the level of extracellular or circulating PCSK9) in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing a cholesterol-related disorder (e.g., hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia,
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor e.g., an inhibitor that decreases the level of extracellular or circulating PCSK9
  • a cholesterol-related disorder e.g., hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia,
  • Labeled PCSK9 inhibitors e.g., PCSK9 antibodies, fragments, and derivatives thereof
  • Labels include, but are not limited to, labels or moieties that can be directly detected (e.g., fluorescent, chromophoric, electron-dense, chemiluminescent, and radioactive labels), as well as moieties, such as enzymes or ligands, that are detected indirectly, e.g., through an enzymatic reaction or molecular interaction.
  • labels include, but are not limited to, the radioisotopes 32 P, 14 C, 125 I, 3 H, and 131 I, fluorophores such as rare earth chelates or fluorescein and its derivatives, rhodamine and its derivatives, dansyl, umbelliferone,
  • luceriferases e.g., firefly luciferase and bacterial luciferase, luciferin, 2,3- dihydrophthalazinediones, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), alkaline phosphatase, f3-galactosidase, glucoamylase, lysozyme, saccharide oxidases, e.g., glucose oxidase, galactose oxidase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, heterocyclic oxidases such as uricase and xanthine oxidase, coupled with an enzyme that employs hydrogen peroxide to oxidize a dye precursor such as HRP, lactoperoxidase, or microperoxidase, biotin/avidin, spin labels, bacteriophage labels, stable free radicals, and the like.
  • HRP horseradish peroxidase
  • lactoperoxidase
  • an article of manufacture or kit comprising a PCSK9 inhibitor disclosed herein (e.g., a PCSK9 antibody or antigen binding fragment) is provided.
  • the article of manufacture may further contain materials useful for the treatment, prevention and/or diagnosis of a condition described herein.
  • the article of manufacture comprises a container containing a composition comprising the PCSK9 inhibitor.
  • a label or package insert is on or associated with the container.
  • Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, IV solution bags, etc.
  • the containers may be formed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic.
  • the container holds a composition which is by itself or combined with another composition effective for treating, preventing and/or diagnosing the condition.
  • the container may have a sterile access port (for example the container may be an intravenous solution bag or a vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle).
  • At least one active agent in the composition is a PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., a PCSK9 antibody or antigen binding fragment) as described herein.
  • the label or package insert indicates that the composition is used for treating the condition of choice.
  • the article of manufacture comprises (a) a first container with a composition that includes a PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., a PCSK9 antibody or antigen binding fragment) disclosed herein; and optionally (b) a second container with a composition containing a second agent disclosed herein.
  • the composition in the first container may further comprise a second agent.
  • the second agent is a statin, a fibrate, ezetimibe, cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam, torcetrapib, avasimibe, implitapide, or niacin.
  • the statin is selected from the group consisting of lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin, and mevastatin.
  • the fibrate is selected from the group consisting of clofibrate, ciprofibrate, bezafibrate, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, and clinofibrate.
  • the second agent is a lipid-lowering or cholesterol-lowering drug, e.g., of the statin class.
  • the statin is and/or comprises atorvastatin (e.g., LIPITOR® or Torvast), fluvastatin (e.g., LESCOLTM), lovastatin (e.g., MEVACOR®, ALTOCOR®, or ALTOPREVTM), mevastatin (pitavastatin (e.g., LIVALO® or PITAVA®), pravastatin (e.g., PRAVACHOL®, SELEKTINE®, LIPOSTAT®), rosuvastatin (e.g.,
  • atorvastatin e.g., LIPITOR® or Torvast
  • fluvastatin e.g., LESCOLTM
  • lovastatin e.g., MEVACOR®, ALTOCOR®, or ALTOPREVTM
  • mevastatin pitavastatin (e.g., LI
  • simvastatin e.g., ZOCOR®, LIPEX®
  • simvastatin e.g., ZOCOR®, LIPEX®
  • any combination thereof e.g., VYTORIN®, ADVICOR® or SIMCOR®.
  • the article of manufacture in this embodiment can also include a package insert indicating that the compositions can be used to treat a particular condition.
  • the article of manufacture can include a second or third container containing a pharmaceutically-acceptable buffer, such as bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI), phosphate-buffered saline, Ringer's solution and dextrose solution. It can further include additional useful materials, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, and syringes.
  • An article of manufacture as described herein can include an immunoconjugate of the invention in place of or in addition to a PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., the PCSK9 antibody or antigen binding fragment).
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor e.g., the PCSK9 antibody or antigen binding fragment.
  • a PCSK9 antibody of the invention can be a fragment of an antibody disclosed herein that binds, e.g., specifically binds, to PCSK9, e.g., to the prodomain of PCSK9, provided that the fragment comprises an antigen binding site.
  • Antibody fragments of the invention are generally obtained starting with a reference (parent) antibody molecule such as those comprising one or sequences disclosed herein, e.g., one or more CDRs as disclosed herein, e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 and derivatives thereof.
  • Antibody fragments can be generated using methods known in the art such as recombinant DNA, enzymatic cleavage (for example, using pepsin or papain), chemical cleavage of an antibody (for example, chemical reduction of disulfide bridges).
  • Antibody fragments that comprise an antibody antigen -binding site include, but are not limited to, molecules such as Fab, Fab', Fab'-SH, scFv, Fv, dAb, Fd and disulfide stabilized variable region (dsFv).
  • Various other antibody molecules including one or more antibody antigen-binding sites can be engineered, including for example F(ab')2, F(ab)3, diabodies, triabodies, tetrabodies, and minibodies.
  • Non-limiting examples of binding fragments are a Fab fragment composed of VL, VH, constant light chain domain (CL) and constant heavy chain domain 1 (CHI) domains; an Fd fragment composed of VH and CHI domains; an Fv fragment composed of the VL and VH domains of a single antibody; a dAb fragment composed of a VH or a VL domain; isolated CDR regions; an F(ab')2 fragment, a bivalent fragment comprising two linked Fab fragments; a single chain Fv molecule (scFv), in which a VH domain and a VL domain are linked by a peptide linker which allows the two domains to associate to form an antigen binding site; a bispecific single chain Fv dimer (for example as disclosed in WO 1993/011161) and a diabody, which is a multivalent or multispecific fragment constructed using gene
  • Fv, scFv, or diabody molecules can be stabilized by the incorporation of disulfide bridges linking the VH and VL domains.
  • Minibodies comprising an scFv joined to a CH3 domain can also be used as a PCSK9 inhibitor.
  • Other fragments and derivatives of an antibody that can be used as a PCSK9 inhibitor include a Fab', which differs from a Fab fragment by the addition of a few amino acid residues at the carboxyl terminus of the heavy chain CHI domain, including one or more cysteines from the antibody hinge region, and Fab'-SH, which is a Fab' fragment in which the cysteine residue(s) of the constant domains bear a free thiol group.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor that is an antibody fragment has been chemically modified to improve or introduce a desirable property, for example PEGylation to increase half- life or incorporation.
  • a dAb domain antibody is a small monomeric antigen-binding fragment of an antibody
  • VH dAbs occur naturally in camelids (e.g., camels and llamas) and can be produced by immunizing a camelid with a target antigen, isolating antigen- specific B cells and directly cloning dAb genes from individual B cells.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor of the present invention can be a dAb comprising a VH or VL domain substantially as set out herein, or a VH or VL domain comprising a set of CDRs substantially as set out herein.
  • PCSK9 inhibitors are useful for treatment of diseases in which a reduction in PCSK9 activity is desirable (PCSK9 related diseases).
  • PCSK9 related diseases include hypercholesterolemia, coronary heart disease, metabolic syndrome, acute coronary syndrome and related conditions, for example, diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease and dyslipidemias exhibiting elevated total serum cholesterol, elevated LDL, elevated triglycerides, elevated VLDL, and/or low HDL.
  • Non- limiting additional examples of primary and secondary dyslipidemias that can be treated using a PCSK9 inhibitor include familial combined hyperlipidemia, familial hypertriglyceridemia, familial hypercholesterolemias, including heterozygous hypercholesterolemia, homozygous hypercholesterolemia, familial defective apoplipoprotein B-100; polygenic
  • hypercholesterolemia remnant removal disease, hepatic lipase deficiency; dyslipidemia.
  • Dyslipidemia may be the result of, for example diet, hypothyroidism, drugs such as estrogen and progestin, beta-blockers, thiazide diuretics; nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal failure, Cushing's syndrome, primary biliary cirrhosis, glycogen storage diseases, hepatoma, cholestasis, acromegaly, insulinoma, isolated growth hormone deficiency, and alcohol-induced
  • PCSK9 inhibitors as described herein can also be useful in preventing or treating atherosclerotic diseases, such as coronary heart disease, coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, stroke (ischaemic or hemorrhagic), angina pectoris, or cerebrovascular disease and acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction.
  • Prophylactic uses of PCSK9 inhibitors include reducing the risk of heart attack, fatal and non-fatal stroke, in certain heart surgeries, hospitalization for heart failure, chest pain in patients with heart disease, and/or cardiovascular events due to prior conditions such as heart attack, heart surgery, and/or chest pain.
  • the PCSK9 antibodies and methods described herein can be used to reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events.
  • Subjects in need of treatment with a PCSK9 inhibitor are treated with a therapeutically effective amount of the inhibitor, e.g., an amount that is effective at dosages and administration regimes sufficient to achieve a desired result as a therapeutic or prophylactic.
  • a therapeutically effective amount of a PCSK9 inhibitor decreases serum cholesterol levels in a subject, e.g., reduces serum LDL-cholesterol levels in a subject compared to levels in the subject before initiating treatment with the PCSK9 inhibitor.
  • a therapeutically effective amount is sufficient to decrease serum cholesterol levels in a subject to below a predetermined level.
  • PCSK9 inhibitors described herein are useful for reducing at least one activity of PCSK9 such as binding of PCSK9 to LDLR and/or reducing or ameliorating at least one sign or symptom of a PCSK9-associated disease.
  • Inhibition of one or more of PCSK9-associated functional properties can be determined using methods known to the art (e.g., Barak and Webb, 1981 J Cell Biol 90:595-604; Stephan and Yurachek, 1993 J Lipid Res 34:325330; and
  • PCSK9 activity is typically assayed relative to activity observed in the absence of the inhibitor.
  • a PCSK9-inhibitor as described herein inhibits a PCSK9 activity by at least 10% compared to a control, for example, decreasing activity by at least 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% and 95% compared to a control.
  • control when applied to assays of PCSK9 activity includes an assay in which PCSK9 activity is compared to a sample that does not contain a component of the assay, typically, the PCSK9 inhibitor, or refers to an assay in which activity of a PCSK9 inhibitor is compared to a predetermined reference activity level.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor as described herein can be used in a method that includes contacting a cell, population of cells, or a tissue that expresses or contains an LDL receptor with a PCSK9 inhibitor disclosed herein under conditions that allow the PCSK9 inhibitor to bind to PCSK9.
  • the binding of PCSK9 by the PCSK9 inhibitor results in increased uptake of cellular LDL.
  • the cell, population of cells or tissue can be in vitro or in vivo and are generally mammalian, e.g., rodents (including rats, mice, rabbits, and guinea pigs), canines (including dogs), bovines (including cattle), ovines, porcine, cats, equines, and camelids.
  • PCSK9 inhibitors described herein can be used in methods for inhibiting PCSK9 in a subject in need of such methods by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a PCSK9 inhibitor described herein.
  • the method is for treating a disease associated with PCSK9 activity.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor is useful for the preparation of a medicament for treating a PCSK9 associated disease, for example, an undesirably high LDL level, e.g., hypercholesterolemia, coronary heart disease, metabolic syndrome, acute coronary syndrome, or related conditions. Treatment of a subject can be prophylactic or therapeutic.
  • terapéuticaally effective refers to the amount necessary at the intended dosage to achieve the desired therapeutic or prophylactic effect for the period of time desired.
  • the desired effect can be, for example, amelioration of at least one symptom associated with condition being treated.
  • the amount of PCSK9 inhibitor administered will vary according to various factors, including but not limited to, the disease state, age, sex and weight of the individual.
  • the response can be assessed using methods known in the art including assay of circulating LDL levels and/or amelioration of other symptoms of disease or predisposition to disease.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor is generally administered as a pharmaceutical composition.
  • Such compositions include a PCSK9 inhibitor and, generally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier that can include an excipient, diluent, stabilizer, buffer, or other component that facilitates administration or storage of the inhibitor.
  • compositions can be formulated using methods known in the art, e.g., McGoff and Scher, 2000 Solution Formulation of Proteins/Peptides, In: McNally, E. J., ed.
  • the composition can be in liquid or solid form.
  • Solid formulations can be produced using methods known in the art including, but not limited to, lyophilization, spray drying, or drying by supercritical fluid technology.
  • An oral formulation can be in, for example, a tablet, capsule, or powder.
  • a solid formulation can be a lyophilized composition and is made into a solution prior to administration for either single or multiple dosing according to methods known to the skilled artisan.
  • Compositions are generally formulated within a biologically relevant pH range and can be buffered to maintain an acceptable pH during storage. Both liquid and solid formulations can require storage at lower temperatures (e.g., 2-8°C).
  • Compositions may contain a bacteriostat to prevent or minimize proteolysis during storage, including but not limited to effective
  • concentrations examples include benzyl alcohol, phenol, m-cresol, chlorobutanol,
  • a lyophilized formulation may be reconstituted in a solution either containing or not containing such a component. Additional components may be added to either a buffered liquid or solid inhibitor formulation, including but not limited to a cryoprotectant (including but not limited to polyhydroxy hydrocarbons such as sorbitol, mannitol, glycerol, and dulcitol and/or disaccharides such as sucrose, lactose, maltose, or trehalose) and, a salt (including but not limited to NaCl, KC1, or LiCl).
  • a cryoprotectant including but not limited to polyhydroxy hydrocarbons such as sorbitol, mannitol, glycerol, and dulcitol and/or disaccharides such as sucrose, lactose, maltose, or trehalose
  • a salt including but not limited to NaCl, KC1, or LiCl
  • Osmolarity of certain formulations is selected to support long term stability at temperatures of, for example, 2-8°C or higher, and parenteral injection.
  • Preservatives, stabilizers, buffers, antioxidants and/or other additives may be included in a formulation.
  • a formulation can contain a divalent cation (including but not limited to MgCl 2 , CaCl 2 , and MnCl 2 ); and/or a non-ionic surfactant (including but not limited to polysorbate-80 (Tween® 80), polysorbate-60 (Tween® 60), polysorbate-40 (Tween® 40), and polysorbate-20 (Tween 20), polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, including but not limited to BrijTM 58, BrijTM 3, Triton® X-100, Triton® X-114, NP40, Span 85 and the Pluronic® series of non-ionic surfactants (e.g.,
  • compositions in liquid format can include a liquid carrier, e.g., water, petroleum, animal oil, vegetable oil, mineral oil, or synthetic oil.
  • the liquid format may also include physiological saline solution, dextrose or other saccharide solution or glycols, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol.
  • compositions can be formulated for administration after dilution in isotonic vehicles such as sodium chloride, Ringer's solution, or lactated Ringer's solution.
  • a PCSK9 pharmaceutical composition can include 50 to 200 mg/mL of a PCSK9- specific inhibitor described herein.
  • a composition can include at least one of the following; a polyhydroxy hydrocarbon (including but not limited to sorbitol, mannitol, glycerol and dulcitol) and/or a disaccharide (including but not limited to sucrose, lactose, maltose and trehalose) at 1% to 6% weight per volume (“w/v") of the formulation; 5 mM to about 200 mM of histidine, imidazole, phosphate or acetic acid, 5 mM to about 200 mM of arginine, proline, phenylalanine, alanine, glycine, lysine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid or methionine; 0.01M to about 0.1M of hydrochloric acid (“HCl”) in an amount sufficient to achieve a pH in the range of about 5.5 to about 7.5; and
  • compositions as disclosed herein have general applicability despite the mode of administration. In specific embodiments, the disclosed pharmaceutical compositions are useful for subcutaneous administration as a liquid or upon reconstitution of a lyophilized form.
  • the pharmaceutical composition comprises about 50 to about 200 mg/mL of a PCSK9 inhibitor as described herein.
  • the composition can include about 1% to about 6% (e.g., from about 2% to about 6%) w/v mannitol, trehalose or sucrose; about 10 mM to about 100 mM of histidine; about 25 mM to about 100 mM of arginine or proline; about 0.02 M to about 0.05M of hydrochloric acid ("HCl”) in an amount sufficient to achieve a pH in the range of about 5.8 to about 7; and a liquid including but not limited to sterile water, petroleum, animal oil, vegetable oil, mineral oil, synthetic oil, physiological saline solution, dextrose or other saccharide solution or glycols, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol; wherein said pharmaceutical composition has a pH in the range of about 5.8 to about 7.
  • the pharmaceutical composition optionally can include about 0.01% to about 1% w/v of the formulation of a non-ionic surfactant (including but not limited to Polysorbate-80, Polysorbate- 60, Polysorbate-40, and Polysorbate-20, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, including but not limited to Brij 58, Brij35, Triton X-100, Triton X-114, NP40, Span 85 and the Pluronic series of non- ionic surfactants (e.g., Pluronic® 121)).
  • a non-ionic surfactant including but not limited to Polysorbate-80, Polysorbate- 60, Polysorbate-40, and Polysorbate-20, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, including but not limited to Brij 58, Brij35, Triton X-100, Triton X-114, NP40, Span 85 and the Pluronic series of non- ionic surfactants (e.g., Pluronic® 121)).
  • compositions that are lyophilized and can be reconstituted.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor concentration in a lyophilized is reconstituted.
  • the reconstituted solution is up to 2-fold higher than in the pre-lyophilized composition.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor concentration in the lyophilized and/or reconstituted pharmaceutical composition is in the range of about 50 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL.
  • Diluents useful for reconstituting the lyophilized pharmaceutical compositions include but are not limited to sterile water, bacteriostatic water for injection ("BWFI"), phosphate -buffered saline, a sterile saline solution, physiological saline solution, Ringer's solution or dextrose solution. Other constituents such as those described supra can be included in such solutions used for
  • a composition comprising a PCSK9 inhibitor is stable.
  • “Stable” as used herein refers to the property of a PCSK9 inhibitor to retain its physical or chemical stability, conformational integrity, at 2-37°C for at least 30 days, for example, for at least 3 months, at least 6 months, at least 12 months, at least 2 years, or at least 3 years when maintained in a specified temperature range, for example, 2°C-37°C, 2°C-10°C, or 2°C-15°C.
  • Degradation of the PCSK9 inhibitor within a composition is generally less than 10%, for example, less than 5%, 3%, or 2% compared with a freshly prepared composition. Stability of a formulation can be tested using methods known in the art including, but not limited to, size exclusion
  • Dosage ranges can be from about 0.01 to 100 mg/kg, e.g., 0.05 to 25 mg/kg, of the host body weight.
  • dosages can be 0.3 mg/kg body weight, 1 mg/kg body weight, 3 mg/kg body weight, 5 mg/kg body weight or 10 mg/kg body weight or within the range of 1-10 mg/kg.
  • a dosage of 5 mg to 2.0 g is used for systemic delivery.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor as described herein can be used alone at appropriate dosages.
  • the inhibitor is administered according to a dosing regime with other agents, for example, with a statin.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor can be used in combination or in conjunction with other drugs (therapeutic and/or prophylactic), including but not limited to cholesterol-lowering drugs, for example, cholesterol absorption inhibitors (e.g., Zetia®) and cholesterol synthesis inhibitors (e.g., Zocor® and Vytorin®).
  • cholesterol-lowering drugs for example, cholesterol absorption inhibitors (e.g., Zetia®) and cholesterol synthesis inhibitors (e.g., Zocor® and Vytorin®).
  • the present invention contemplates such combinations and they form an important embodiment hereof.
  • the present invention relates to methods of treatment as described above where the PCSK9-specific inhibitor is administered/delivered simultaneously with, following or prior to another drug or drugs (therapeutic and/or prophylactic), including but not limited to cholesterol-lowering drugs, cholesterol absorption inhibitors and cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
  • compositions described herein include primates, human and non-human, and include any non-human mammal or vertebrate of commercial or domestic veterinary importance.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., antibody, fragment, or derivative) can be administered to an individual by a route of administration known in the art, including but not limited to oral administration, administration by injection (specific embodiments of which include intravenous, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection), administration by inhalation, intranasal, or topical administration, either alone or in combination with other agents designed to assist in the treatment of the individual.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor can also be administered using an injection device, injector pen, needleless device, or patch delivery systems.
  • the route of administration should be determined based on a number of considerations appreciated by those of skill in the art including, but not limited to, the desired physiochemical characteristics of the treatment.
  • Treatment may be provided on a daily, weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis, or any other regimen that delivers the appropriate amount of PCSK9 inhibitor to the individual at the prescribed times such that the desired treatment is effected and maintained.
  • the formulations may be administered in a single dose or in more than one dose at separate times.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof) described herein can be used in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of a PCSK9-associated disease.
  • the medicament is useful in a subject exhibiting a disease or symptoms associated with undesirable PCSK9 activity.
  • the condition is hypercholesterolemia, coronary heart disease, metabolic syndrome, acute coronary syndrome or a related condition.
  • the invention also relates to use of a PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., a PCSK9 antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof) in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a PCSK9-associated disease in a subject, wherein the PCSK9 inhibitor can specifically bind to the prodomain of a human PCSK9.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor e.g., a PCSK9 antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor can specifically bind to the prodomain of a human PCSK9.
  • a subject in need of treatment with a PCSK9 inhibitor is identified.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor is an antibody, fragment, or variant thereof that exhibits pH-dependent binding to a PCSK9.
  • the subject's plasma is further tested for free PCSK9 before and after treatment, wherein the subject has decreased free PCSK9 in their serum after treatment with the PCSK9 inhibitor compared to the level of free PCSK9 after treatment. In some embodiments, the subject's plasma is further tested for free PCSK9 after treatment and comparing it to a reference. In some embodiments, the subject is at risk for or has been diagnosed with a cholesterol-related disorder. In some embodiments, the subject is at risk for or has been diagnosed with
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor is used in combination with a statin.
  • the invention further relates a PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., a PCSK9 antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof) for use in treating a PCSK9-associated disease in a subject, wherein the PCSK9 inhibitor can specifically bind to the prodomain of a human PCSK9.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor e.g., a PCSK9 antibody, fragment, or derivative thereof
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor can specifically bind to the prodomain of a human PCSK9.
  • a subject in need of treatment with a PCSK9 inhibitor is identified.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor is an antibody, fragment, or variant thereof that exhibits pH- dependent binding to a PCSK9.
  • the subject's plasma is further tested for free PCSK9 before and after treatment, wherein the subject has decreased free PCSK9 in their serum after treatment with the PCSK9 inhibitor compared to the level of free PCSK9 after treatment.
  • the subject's plasma is further tested for free PCSK9 after treatment and comparing it to a reference.
  • the subject is at risk for or has been diagnosed with a cholesterol-related disorder.
  • the subject is at risk for or has been diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer' s disease, atherosclerosis, or a dyslipidemia, e.g., elevated total serum cholesterol, elevated LDL, elevated triglycerides, elevated very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and/or low HDL.
  • a dyslipidemia e.g., elevated total serum cholesterol, elevated LDL, elevated triglycerides, elevated very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and/or low HDL.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor is used in combination with a statin.
  • one or more cells of a subject are transformed with nucleic acid encoding a PCSK9 inhibitor (e.g., an antibody or antigen binding fragment) as described herein.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor e.g., an antibody or antigen binding fragment
  • Subjects treated in this manner can endogenously produce the PCSK9 antibody.
  • An example of the method is provided by Alvarez, et al. (Clin Cancer Res 3:181- 3087, 2000) in which single-chain anti-ErbB2 nucleic acid was introduced into subjects using a gene therapy approach.
  • a subject can be treated for a PCSK9 disease using a nucleic acid-based therapy, e.g., a using a nucleic acid that codes for a PCSK9 inhibitor, e.g., antibody.
  • a nucleic acid encoding a PCSK9 inhibitor is introduced into the cells of a subject using methods known in the art, for example, by incorporating sequences encoding the PCSK9 inhibitor into a viral vector.
  • viral vectors include those derived from lentivirus, herpes virus, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, vaccinia virus, baculovirus, alphavirus, and influenza virus.
  • Such vectors are commercially available, e.g., from Avigen, Inc.
  • adenoviral and AAV vectors adenoviral and AAV vectors
  • Genvec adenoviral vectors
  • IntroGene Leiden, Netherlands
  • adenoviral vectors Molecular Medicine (retroviral, adenoviral, AAV, and herpes viral vectors)
  • Norgen adenoviral vectors
  • Oxford BioMedica Oxford, United Kingdom
  • lentiviral vectors Transgene
  • the vector is replication defective or attenuated in some other way.
  • examples of such vectors include, for example a herpes virus vector (Kanno et al, Cancer Gen Ther 6: 147-154, 1999; Kaplitt et al, J Neurosci Meth 71 : 125-132, 1997 and Kaplitt et al, J Neuro One 19: 137-147, 1994); adenovirus vectors (e.g., Strafford-Perricaudet et al, J Clin Invest 90:626-630, 1992; PCT Publication Nos. W094/26914, W094/28938,
  • Retroviral vectors can also be used to introduce a sequence encoding a PCSK9 inhibitor, for example, see U.S. Patent Nos. 5,399,346, 4,650,764, 4,980,289, and 5,124,263; Mann et al, Cell 33: 153, 1983; Markowitz et al, J. Virol., 62: 1120, 1988; EP 453242 and EP178220.
  • Lentiviral vectors can be used as agents for the direct delivery and sustained expression of nucleic acids encoding a PCSK9-specific inhibitor of the invention in several tissue types, including brain, retina, muscle, liver and blood.
  • the vectors can efficiently transduce dividing and nondividing cells in these tissues, and maintain long-term expression of the PCSK9-specific inhibitor.
  • Lentiviral packaging cell lines are available and known generally in the art. They facilitate the production of high-titer lentivirus vectors for gene therapy.
  • An example is a tetracycline-inducible VSV-G pseudotyped lentivirus packaging cell line which can generate virus particles at titers greater than 10. sup.6 IU/ml for at least 3 to 4 days; see Kafri et al, J. Virol. 73:576-584, 1999.
  • the vector produced by the inducible cell line can be concentrated as needed for efficiently transducing nondividing cells in vitro and in vivo.
  • Sindbis virus is a member of the alphavirus genus and has been studied extensively since its discovery in various parts of the world beginning in 1953. Gene transduction based on alphavirus, particularly Sindbis virus, has been well-studied in vitro (see Straus et al., Microbiol Rev., 58:491-562, 1994; Bredenbeek et al., J Virol, 67:6439-6446, 1993; Ijima et al., Int J Cancer 80: 110-118, 1999 and Sawai et al, Biochim Biophys Res Comm 248:315-323, 1998).
  • alphavirus vectors make them a desirable alternative to other virus-derived vector systems being developed, including rapid engineering of expression constructs, production of high-titered stocks of infectious particles, infection of nondividing cells, and high levels of expression (Strauss et al, 1994 supra).
  • Use of Sindbis virus for gene therapy has been described. (Wahlfors et al., Gene Ther 7:472-480, 2000 and Lundstrom, J Recep Sig Transduct Res 19:673- 686, 1999).
  • a vector can be introduced to cells by lipofection or with other transfection facilitating agents (peptides, polymers, etc.).
  • Synthetic cationic lipids can be used to prepare liposomes for in vivo and in vitro transfection of a gene encoding a marker (Feigner et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 84:7413-7417, 1987 and Wang et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 84:7851-7855, 1987).
  • Useful lipid compounds and compositions for transfer of nucleic acids are described in PCT Publication Nos. WO 95/18863 and WO 96/17823, and in U.S. Pat. No.
  • naked DNA vectors for gene therapy can be introduced into desired host cells by methods known in the art, e.g., electroporation, microinjection, cell fusion, DEAE dextran, calcium phosphate precipitation, use of a gene gun, or use of a DNA vector transporter (see, e.g., Wilson, et al., J Biol Chem 267:963-967, 1992; Williams et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 88:2726-2730, 1991).
  • reagents commonly used for transfection of plasmids include, but are by no means limited to, FuGENE®, Lipofectin®, and Lipofectamine®.
  • Receptor-mediated DNA delivery approaches can also be used (Wu et al., J Biol Chem 263:14621-14624, 1988).
  • U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,580,859 and 5,589,466 disclose delivery of exogenous DNA sequences, free of transfection facilitating agents, in a mammal.
  • Electrotransfer a relatively low voltage, high efficiency in vivo DNA transfer technique can be used (Vilquin et al., Gene Ther 8:1097, 2001; Payen et al., Exp
  • compositions suitable for such gene therapy approaches and comprising nucleic acids encoding a PCSK9 antibody or antigen binding fragment of the present invention are included within the scope of the present invention.
  • the present invention provides a method for identifying, isolating, quantifying or antagonizing PCSK9 in a sample of interest using a PCSK9 antibody provided herein.
  • a PCSK9 antibody or variant thereof can be utilized as a research tool in immunochemical assays, such as Western blots, ELISAs, radioimmunoassay,
  • the inhibitors may have a label incorporated therein or affixed thereto to facilitate ready identification or measurement of the activities associated therewith.
  • detectable labels e.g., enzymes, dyes, or other suitable molecules that are either readily detectable or cause some activity/result that is readily detectable
  • detectable labels e.g., enzymes, dyes, or other suitable molecules that are either readily detectable or cause some activity/result that is readily detectable
  • treatment includes administering a pharmaceutical PCSK9 inhibitor composition to a patient, the composition comprising the PCSK9 inhibitor composition and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the pharmaceutical composition is an oral dosage form.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions comprise, as the active ingredient, a PCSK9 inhibitor, e.g., PCSK9 antibody, in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers (excipients).
  • the agent is typically mixed with an excipient, diluted by an excipient or enclosed within such a carrier in the form of, for example, a capsule, sachet, paper, or other container.
  • the excipient when it serves as a diluent, it can be a solid, semi- solid, or liquid material, which acts as a vehicle, carrier or medium for the active ingredient.
  • the formulations can be in the form of tablets, pills, powders, lozenges, sachets, cachets, elixirs, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, syrups, aerosols (as a solid or in a liquid medium), ointments containing, for example, up to 10% by weight of the active compound, soft and hard gelatin capsules, suppositories, sterile injectable solutions, and sterile packaged powders.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor composition can be milled to provide the appropriate particle size prior to combining with the other ingredients. If the PCSK9 inhibitor composition is substantially insoluble, it can be milled to a particle size of less than 200 mesh. If the agent is substantially water soluble, the particle size can be adjusted by milling to provide a substantially uniform distribution in the formulation, e.g. about 40 mesh.
  • excipients include lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starches, gum acacia, calcium phosphate, alginates, tragacanth, gelatin, calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, water, syrup, and methyl cellulose.
  • the formulations can additionally include: lubricating agents such as talc, magnesium stearate, and mineral oil; wetting agents; emulsifying and suspending agents; preserving agents such as methyl- and propylhydroxy-benzoates; sweetening agents; and flavoring agents.
  • the compositions can be formulated so as to provide quick, sustained or delayed release of the active ingredient after administration to the patient by employing procedures known in the art.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor composition can be formulated in a unit dosage form, each dosage containing from about 5 to about 1000 mg (1 g), more usually about 100 to about 500 mg, of the agent.
  • unit dosage forms refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human subjects and other mammals, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect, in association with a suitable pharmaceutical excipient.
  • a PCSK9 inhibitor composition can be effective over a wide dosage range and is generally administered in a pharmaceutically effective amount. It will be understood by those in the art that the amount of the agent actually administered is typically determined by a physician, according to the relevant circumstances, including the condition to be treated, the chosen route of administration, the actual compound administered, the age, weight, and response of the individual patient, the severity of the patient's symptoms, and the like.
  • the PCSK9 inhibitor composition is mixed with a pharmaceutical excipient to form a solid composition containing a homogeneous mixture of a PCSK9 inhibitor composition.
  • a solid composition containing a homogeneous mixture of a PCSK9 inhibitor composition.
  • Such formulations are typically provided in unit dosage forms, for example, about 0.1 to about 1000 mg of the PCSK9 inhibitor composition.
  • a tablet or pill comprising a PCSK9 inhibitor composition can be coated or otherwise compounded to provide a dosage form affording the advantage of prolonged action.
  • the tablet or pill can comprise an inner dosage and an outer dosage component, the latter being in the form of an envelope over the former.
  • the two components can be separated by an enteric layer which serves to resist disintegration in the stomach and permit the inner component to pass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in release.
  • enteric layers or coatings such materials including a number of polymeric acids and mixtures of polymeric acids with such materials as shellac, cetyl alcohol, and cellulose acetate.
  • a liquid formulation comprising a PCSK9 inhibitor composition can be prepared for oral delivery or for injection, for example, in an aqueous solutions, suitably flavored syrups, aqueous or oil suspensions, or flavored emulsions with edible oils such as cottonseed oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, or peanut oil, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceutical vehicles.
  • Formulations for inhalation or insufflation include solutions and suspensions in pharmaceutically acceptable, aqueous or organic solvents, or mixtures thereof, and powders.
  • the liquid or solid compositions may contain suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients as described supra.
  • the formulations are administered by the oral or nasal respiratory route for local or systemic effect.
  • Solution, suspension, or powder formulations can be administered orally or nasally from devices that deliver the formulation in an appropriate manner.
  • compositions can be administered to a patient already suffering from a disease in an amount sufficient to cure or at least partially arrest the symptoms of the disease and its complications. Effective doses will depend on the disease condition being treated as well as by the judgment of the attending clinician depending upon factors such as the severity of the disease, the age, weight and general condition of the patient, and the like.
  • the therapeutic dosage of a PCSK9 inhibitor composition agents can vary according to, for example, the particular use for which the treatment is made, the manner of administration of the compound, the health and condition of the patient, and the judgment of the prescribing physician.
  • the proportion or concentration of an agent in a pharmaceutical composition can vary depending upon a number of factors including dosage, chemical characteristics (e.g.,
  • the agents can be provided in an aqueous physiological buffer solution containing about 0.1 to about 10% w/v of the compound for parenteral administration.
  • Some typical dose ranges are from about 1 ⁇ g/kg to about 1 g/kg of body weight per day. In some embodiments, the dose range is from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg of body weight per day.
  • the dosage is likely to depend on such variables as the type and extent of progression of the disease or disorder, the overall health status of the particular patient, the relative biological efficacy of the compound selected, formulation of the excipient, and its route of administration. Effective doses can be extrapolated from dose-response curves derived from in vitro or animal model test systems. EQUIVALENTS
  • a murine PCSK9 antibody that specifically binds to the prodomain of PCSK9 was humanized. In brief, this was accomplished using CDR grafting.
  • a human germline framework with maximum homology to the native mouse sequence was selected for the CDR grafting, and the CDRs from the m7F8 were cloned into this framework.
  • the human heavy chain sequence chosen was IGHV1-46*01 I JH1 ; the light chain was IGKV1-16*01 I JK4.
  • the humanized variable regions were cloned into a vector containing an IgG2 HC constant region and a ⁇ LC constant region to yield a humanized antibody, 7F8.1.
  • h7F8 a single amino acid in the light chain framework was mutated back to the original mouse sequence (shown in boldface in SEQ ID NO:2). This change improved the binding affinity of 7F8.1 as shown in Figure 1 and Table 3.
  • the resulting antibody is referred to as h7F8.
  • Humanized h7F8 was expressed both transiently in HEK293 and from HEK293 cells stably transfected with lentiviral vectors. Purification was performed using Protein A
  • Affinity of antibody containing CDRs with the mutations was measured in multiple experiments.
  • the heavy chain variable domain sequence of h7F8ml2 is
  • the light chain variable domain sequence of h7F8ml2 is
  • the heavy chain sequence of of h7F8ml2 is
  • LDL-c levels decreased starting at day 1 following injection (Fig. 3). LDL reached a minimum at 7-10 days post- injection depending on dose, and they returned to approximately baseline (pre-injection) levels by day 21. There was a slight increase in duration of LDL lowering effect at the higher dose of antibody. Also, in both groups, triglycerides decreased following administration of h7F8ml2 (Fig. 4); a maximum decrease of 57% was observed at day 3. Total cholesterol decreased up to 28% after injection (Fig. 5); no changes in HDL were observed over the length of the experiment.
  • Serum samples from all three groups of monkeys were analyzed for antibody PK using the Human Therapeutic IgG2 EIA kit (Cayman Chemical, Ann Arbor, MI). In these analyses, microplate wells were pre-coated with an anti-human IgG capture antibody, and captured IgG was detected with a separate anti-human IgG-HRP detection antibody. Standard curves for each group were generated using the respective chimeric antibody diluted in 5% monkey serum (Bioreclamation Inc., Westbury, NY) at concentrations between 6.25 ng/ml and 400 ng/mL. Test samples were also diluted to appropriate concentrations (between 20- and 200-fold) in 5% monkey serum and were run in duplicate.
  • Fig. 6 shows the data from which the average terminal half-lives are calculated.
  • the immunogenicity of dosed antibody was measured by ELISA.
  • Two assays were developed, one to measure IgG response and one to measure IgM.
  • IgM ELISA plates were coated with the dosed anti-PCSK9 chimera and blocked. Serum from various time points was titrated at 10-fold dilutions and incubated. Plates were washed, then any bound monkey antibodies were detected using an anti-monkey IgM-HRP antibody (Kirkegaard & Perry Laboratories, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD).
  • the IgG assay was carried out similarly, except that plates were coated with the purified Fab version of the dosed antibody, and the detection antibody was an anti-monkey IgG (Fc specific)-HRP (AbD Serotec, Raleigh, NC).
  • Affinity measurements for ch7F8 and h7F8ml2 binding to human and rhesus PCSK9 were performed on an Octet RED96 System (ForteBIO, Menlo Park, CA). All equilibration, binding, and wash steps were performed in PBS + 1% BSA + 0.05% Tween-20 with 200 of sample in a 96 well, black plate (VWR cat# 82050-784). Anti-human-IgG-Fc capture tips (ForteBIO, cat# 18-5060) were pre-equilibrated in buffer for 10 minutes then incubated with 50 nM ch7F8 or h7F8ml2 to capture antibody to an optical thickness value > 1.
  • the tips were dipped in buffer for 2 minutes to measure baseline then incubated with human or rhesus PCSK9 at a range of concentrations to measure association. After 1-2 minutes, tips were switched into buffer and ligand dissociation measured for 5-15 minutes. Optical thickness traces were fit to a 1:1 biomolecular interaction model to determine k on , k Qff , and K d values.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne des anticorps qui ciblent PCSK9, par exemple le prodomaine de PCSK9. L'invention concerne également des compositions contenant ces anticorps et des méthodes de traitement, par exemple de troubles liés au cholestérol, consistant à administrer ces anticorps à un sujet nécessitant un tel traitement.
PCT/US2015/037345 2014-06-24 2015-06-24 Anticorps de haute affinité contre pcsk9 Ceased WO2015200438A1 (fr)

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WO2017211313A1 (fr) * 2016-06-08 2017-12-14 常州博嘉生物医药科技有限公司 Protéine à liaison spécifique et durable à la pcsk9 et son application
CN107840893A (zh) * 2016-09-20 2018-03-27 上海药明生物技术有限公司 新型抗‑pcsk9抗体
WO2018054240A1 (fr) * 2016-09-20 2018-03-29 Wuxi Biologics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. Nouveaux anticorps anti-pcsk9
WO2018189705A1 (fr) 2017-04-13 2018-10-18 Cadila Healthcare Limited Vaccin pcsk9 à base de nouveaux peptides
JP2019509254A (ja) * 2015-12-31 2019-04-04 ジエンス ヘンルイ メデイシンカンパニー リミテッドＪｉａｎｇｓｕ Ｈｅｎｇｒｕｉ Ｍｅｄｉｃｉｎｅ Ｃｏ．，Ｌｔｄ． Ｐｃｓｋ９抗体、その抗原結合フラグメント及び医薬用途
WO2020150473A2 (fr) 2019-01-18 2020-07-23 Dogma Therapeutics, Inc. Inhibiteurs de pcsk9 et leurs procédés d'utilisation
EP3515950A4 (fr) * 2016-09-20 2020-10-28 Wuxi Biologics Ireland Limited. Nouveaux anticorps anti-pcsk9
US11485795B2 (en) 2016-12-24 2022-11-01 Innovent Biologics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd Anti-PCSK9 antibody and use thereof

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US20100166768A1 (en) * 2008-12-15 2010-07-01 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. High Affinity Human Antibodies to PCSK9
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US20100166768A1 (en) * 2008-12-15 2010-07-01 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. High Affinity Human Antibodies to PCSK9
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Cited By (14)

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JP7032662B2 (ja) 2015-12-31 2022-03-09 ジエンス ヘンルイ メデイシンカンパニー リミテッド Ｐｃｓｋ９抗体、その抗原結合フラグメント及び医薬用途
JP2019509254A (ja) * 2015-12-31 2019-04-04 ジエンス ヘンルイ メデイシンカンパニー リミテッドＪｉａｎｇｓｕ Ｈｅｎｇｒｕｉ Ｍｅｄｉｃｉｎｅ Ｃｏ．，Ｌｔｄ． Ｐｃｓｋ９抗体、その抗原結合フラグメント及び医薬用途
EP3398968A4 (fr) * 2015-12-31 2019-08-07 Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd. Anticorps anti-pcsk9, fragment de liaison à l'antigène associé et application médicale associée
WO2017211313A1 (fr) * 2016-06-08 2017-12-14 常州博嘉生物医药科技有限公司 Protéine à liaison spécifique et durable à la pcsk9 et son application
CN107840893A (zh) * 2016-09-20 2018-03-27 上海药明生物技术有限公司 新型抗‑pcsk9抗体
WO2018054240A1 (fr) * 2016-09-20 2018-03-29 Wuxi Biologics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. Nouveaux anticorps anti-pcsk9
EP3515949A4 (fr) * 2016-09-20 2020-10-28 Wuxi Biologics Ireland Limited. Nouveaux anticorps anti-pcsk9
EP3515950A4 (fr) * 2016-09-20 2020-10-28 Wuxi Biologics Ireland Limited. Nouveaux anticorps anti-pcsk9
US11111313B2 (en) 2016-09-20 2021-09-07 WuXi Biologics Ireland Limited Anti-PCSK9 antibodies
CN107840893B (zh) * 2016-09-20 2022-02-25 信立泰(成都)生物技术有限公司 新型抗-pcsk9抗体
US11485795B2 (en) 2016-12-24 2022-11-01 Innovent Biologics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd Anti-PCSK9 antibody and use thereof
WO2018189705A1 (fr) 2017-04-13 2018-10-18 Cadila Healthcare Limited Vaccin pcsk9 à base de nouveaux peptides
WO2020150473A2 (fr) 2019-01-18 2020-07-23 Dogma Therapeutics, Inc. Inhibiteurs de pcsk9 et leurs procédés d'utilisation
EP4470609A2 (fr) 2019-01-18 2024-12-04 Astrazeneca AB Inhibiteurs de pcsk9 et leurs procédés d'utilisation

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