Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to catalytic antibodies and, more particularly, to a novel method of producing same. The method of the present invention is predicated in part on the exploitation of the products of catalysis to induce B cell mitogenesis. In a preferred embodiment, a growth factor having an ability to induce B cell mitogenesis is linked to a target antigen to which catalytic antibodies are sought. B cell mitogenesis is then dependent on the catalytic cleavage of the antigen portion of the growth factor by catalytic antibodies on the surface of B cells. The method of the present invention is useful for generating catalytic antibodies for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 9, 2000
Date of Patent:
February 18, 2003
Assignee:
Frank Koentgen Pty Ltd.
Inventors:
Frank Koentgen, Gabriele Maria Suess, David Mathew Tarlinton, Herbert Rudolf Treutlein