Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods of inhibiting a tripartite VAP-A, ORP3 and Rab7 (VOR) protein complex in multicellular organisms, to methods of identifying agents which inhibit such complex and to the medical use of those agents. Inhibition of the VOR complex causes interference with at least one mechanism of intercellular communication, wherein the intercellular communication is mediated by receptor-ligand interaction and/or EVs, and viral infection involving the transport of endocytosed biomaterials to the nucleus of recipient cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antigen-binding fragment (Fab) and/or an aptamer that recognises a target epitope in an extracellular part of CD9, wherein the Fab and/or the aptamer bind directly to the extracellular part of the CD9, and wherein the Fab binds to the extracellular part of the CD9 at a similar location as that of the aptamer. Specifically, the Fab is a fragment of a monoclonal antibody and has a size of approximately 40-60 kDa, 45-55 kDa, 48-52 kDa or 50 kDa, and wherein the monoclonal antibody is at least one of an anti-human CD9 and an anti-CD9. Also, disclosed is a biological molecular assay that recognises an epitope in an extracellular part of a CD9. The biological molecular assay includes use of an antigen-binding fragment (Fab) and an aptamer.