Monoclonal antibodies in infectious diseases: clinical pipeline in 2011

Jan Ter Meulen1

  • 1Vaccine Research, Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, PA 19486, USA. jan.ter.meulen@merck.com

Of the more than 20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) generated to combat infectious diseases (ID) that are in clinical development in 2011, most are in phase 1 or 2 and are directed against either viruses or bacterial toxins. Several high-profile anti-ID mAbs have recently failed in clinical trials. Despite the advancement in recombinant engineering technologies, anti-ID mAbs have yet to deliver on their promise as "magic bullets," especially against nosocomial infections. A paradigm shift in favor of developing mAb combinations, which act synergistically with each other or with small molecule drugs, may be required to move the field forward.

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