hMPV antibodies

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory virus spreading via droplets/fomites, causing significant global respiratory illness, particularly in children and the elderly. The virus often causes bronchiolitis and pneumonia, with a high burden of hospitalizations. Vaccine development focuses on the highly conserved Fusion (F) protein as the primary target for inducing neutralizing antibodies.

Transmission
• Mode: Primarily through direct or close contact with infected respiratory droplets, large-particle aerosols, or contaminated surfaces (fomites).
• Contagion: Highly contagious, particularly among young children, often spreading in schools and daycare settings.
• Seasonality: Shows predictable, generally winter-spring, seasonality.
• Management: No licensed vaccine or antiviral treatment exists; management is focused on relieving symptoms.

Disease Burden
• Population Affected: Almost all children are infected by age 5, with significant risk of reinfection throughout life, especially in the elderly and immunocompromised.
• Clinical Impact: Causes upper respiratory infection, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia.
• Global Impact: In 2018, estimated to cause 11.1 million cases of acute lower respiratory tract infections in young children, resulting in over 500,000 hospitalizations and over 11,000 deaths.

F Antigen in Vaccine Development
• Target: The Fusion (F) protein which is a homotrimeric viral surface antigen is the main target for vaccine development because it is essential for viral entry and is highly conserved (>90%) across different strains.
• Mechanism: Vaccines aim to prompt immune responses against the prefusion conformation of the F protein, which elicits strong neutralizing antibodies.

GenHunter currently has 1 monoclonal antibody against hMPV.

hMPV Antibody Products Available: