Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody that binds to the surface antigen (HBsAg) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to neutralize the hepatitis B virus. The surface antigen-binding site of the antibody was found to play a very important role in viral replication, and when a mutation in the site occurs, viral replication is significantly inhibited, and thus at least HBV virus cannot cause a mutation in the site. In the present invention, it was confirmed by the use of patient-derived virus that the antibody of the present invention binds to either YMDD mutant hepatitis B virus, produced by conventional viral replication inhibitors, or G145R HBsAg mutants to which plasma-derived HBIG (hepatitis B immunoglobulin) does not bind. In addition, the in vivo effect of the antibody of the present invention was examined using chimpanzees which are unique animal models for hepatitis B virus. As a result, it was found that the antibody has the effect of neutralizing even wild-type hepatitis B virus in the in vivo model.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody that binds to the surface antigen (HBsAg) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to neutralize the hepatitis B virus. The surface antigen-binding site of the antibody was found to play a very important role in viral replication, and when a mutation in the site occurs, viral replication is significantly inhibited, and thus at least HBV virus cannot cause a mutation in the site. In the present invention, it was confirmed by the use of patient-derived virus that the antibody of the present invention binds to either YMDD mutant hepatitis B virus, produced by conventional viral replication inhibitors, or G145R HBsAg mutants to which plasma-derived HBIG (hepatitis B immunoglobulin) does not bind. In addition, the in vivo effect of the antibody of the present invention was examined using chimpanzees which are unique animal models for hepatitis B virus. As a result, it was found that the antibody has the effect of neutralizing even wild-type hepatitis B virus in the in vivo model.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody that binds to the surface antigen (HBsAg) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to neutralize the hepatitis B virus. The surface antigen-binding site of the antibody was found to play a very important role in viral replication, and when a mutation in the site occurs, viral replication is significantly inhibited, and thus at least HBV virus cannot cause a mutation in the site. In the present invention, it was confirmed by the use of patient-derived virus that the antibody of the present invention binds to either YMDD mutant hepatitis B virus, produced by conventional viral replication inhibitors, or G145R HBsAg mutants to which plasma-derived HBIG (hepatitis B immunoglobulin) does not bind. In addition, the in vivo effect of the antibody of the present invention was examined using chimpanzees which are unique animal models for hepatitis B virus. As a result, it was found that the antibody has the effect of neutralizing even wild-type hepatitis B virus in the in vivo model.