Antibodies against angiopoietins 1 and 2, and their use

This application is the U.S. national phase application filed under 35 U.S.C. §371 claiming benefit to International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2011/002338, filed on Apr. 5, 2011, of which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates to antibodies against angiopoietins 1 and 2, and derivatives of these antibodies. More specifically, the present invention relates therapeutic use of the antibodies and fragments thereof which specifically bind to angiopoietins 1 and 2.

The Sequence Listing submitted in the ASCII text file named 204540_0008_00US_602783_ST25.txt is hereby incorporated by reference. The file size is 82 kb and the date of creation is Dec. 3, 2013.

Angiogenesis is a process of new blood vessels growing from pre-existing vessels. While it is a normal and vital physiological process during growth and development, it is often the transition of tumors from a dormant to a malignant state. In this case, tumor angiogenesis refers to the ability of a tumor to stimulate new blood vessel formation, which is a critical step that enables tumor expansion, local invasion, and dissemination through delivery of oxygen and nutrients, in addition to production of growth factors.

Angiogenesis is a well-controlled process during tumor formation, which is regulated by angiogenic, growth, and survival factors that are secreted by the malignant cells as well as other cells within the tumor microenvironment. Two prominent angiogenic factors include vascular endothelial growth factor (VFGF) family members and angiopoietins.

The angiopoietins are growth factors that modulate the processes of physiological angiogenesis and pathological neovascularization. They signal through Tie-2, a tyrosine receptor kinase present in endothelial cells. Angiopoietin family proteins in human so far include angiopoetin 1, angiopoietin 2, angiopoietin 4, angiopoietin like protein 1 (angiopoitein 3), angiopoietin like protein 2, angiopoietin like protein 3 (angiopoietin 5), angiopoietin like protein 4, angiopoietin like protein 5, angiopoietin like protein 6 and angiopoietin like protein 7.

The role of angiopoietins 1 (Ang1) and 2 (Ang2) in angiogenesis has been implicated by multiple reports. Both angiopoietins 1 and 2 are expressed at tumor vasculature (Stratmann et al., 1998). Coexpression of Ang1 and VEGF-A had an additive effect on angiogenesis and resulted in leakage resistant vessels (Thurston et al., 1999). Mice deficient of Ang1 had impaired vascular function, leading to embryonic death of the mice (Suri et al., 1996) while transgenic overexpression or gene transfer of angiopoietin 1 enhances vessel formation (Suri et al., 1998). Tie-2 knock-out mice showed similar phenotypes of the knock-out mice of angiopoietin 1, which suggests that Tie-2 activation by angiopoietin 1 mediates remodeling and stabilization of developing vessels (Suri et al., 1996).

Angiopoietin 2 is expressed only at sites of vascular remodeling in humans, such as placenta, ovary and uterus. It is mainly secreted by endothelial cells at the sites of vascular remodeling and acts in an autocrine manner. In the presence of VEGF-A, Angiopoietin 2 promotes vascular sprouting and destabilizes blood vessels by disrupting interactions between endothelial cells and matrix, thus enhancing VEGF stimulation (Holash et al., 1999). Angiopoietin 2 also can act as an apoptosis survival factor for endothelialcells during serum deprivation (Kim et al., 2000). Furthermore, upregulation of Angiopoietin 2 correlates with the metastasis and malignancy of various types of human cancers such as breast cancer, metastatic melanoma and lung cancer (Schliemann et al., 2007; Scholz et al., 2007; Park et al., 2007). Local production of Angiopoietin-2 has been identified as an early marker of glioma- and glioblastoma-induced neovascularization (Zagzag et al., 1999; Stratmann et al., 1998). More interestingly, upregulation of angiopoietins 1 and 2 has been shown to be a part of “angiogenic rescue” when VEGF mediated angiogenesis is blocked during tumor progression, resulting in acceleration of metastasis (Casanovas et al., 2005; Ebos et al., 2009; Huang et al., 2009; Paez-Ribes et al., 2009).

Given the role of angiopoietins 1 and 2 in angiogenesis, therapeutics against angiopoietins 1 and 2 might provide a benefit to patients with cancer such as, but not limited to, leukemia, lymphoma, and solid cancers, as well as to other non-neoplastic angiogenesis diseases such as, but not limited to, retinopathies, arthritis, atherosclerosis, respiratory disease, obesity, diabetes, asthma, liver regeneration, pulmonary hypertension, and psoriasis.

Technical Problem

The object of present invention is to provide antibodies against angiopoietins 1 and 2.

Another object of the present invention is to provide isolated nucleic acids molecules encoding the antibody against angiopoietin 1 and 2.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide recombinant vectors, host cells, isolated cell lines, and hybridomas for the production of such antibodies.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide pharmaceutical compositions containing the antibodies.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide methods for treating cancer, angiogenesis related diseases such as retinopathies, arthritis, psoriasis and related disease using these antibodies.

Solution to Problem

One aspect of the present invention relates to isolated antibodies, antigen-binding portions or derivatives thereof, that specifically bind to angiopoietins 1 and 2.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides an isolated antibody, an antigen-binding portion or a derivative thereof, comprising:

(a) a first CDR set, CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, that comprise the amino acid sequences of heavy chain CDRs, CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, that are included in the amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID Nos. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44;

(b) a second CDR set, CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, that comprises the amino acid sequences of light chain CDRs, CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, that are included in the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID Nos. 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94; or,

(c) a combination of the first CDR set of (a) and the second CDR set of (b).

In another embodiment, the antibody of the present invention is comprising a heavy chain, a light chain or both of them, wherein said heavy chain comprises a heavy chain variable region having the amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID Nos. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44, or antigen-binding fragments thereof; and said light chain comprises a light chain variable region having the amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID Nos. 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94, or antigen-binding fragments thereof.

In another embodiment, the antibody of the present invention is selected from the group consisting of:

(i) an antibody comprising the amino acid sequences as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:46;

(ii) an antibody comprising the amino acid sequences as set forth in SEQ ID NO:8 and SEQ ID NO:52;

(iii) an antibody comprising the amino acid sequences as set forth in SEQ ID NO:22 and SEQ ID NO:64;

(iv) an antibody comprising the amino acid sequences as set forth in SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:88; and,

(v) an antibody comprising the amino acid sequences as set forth in SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:90;

In another aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated antibody, an antigen-binding portion or a derivative thereof, which competes for binding to angiopoietins 1 and 2 with an antibody comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44 in combination with the amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, and 94.

In one embodiment, the isolated antigen binding agent binds to the human angiopoietins 1 and 2 with substantially high affinity such as K d of less than 10 nM, or competes for binding of angiopoietins 1 and 2 to the receptor with IC 50 values less than 10 nM.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated antibody, an antigen-binding portion or a derivative thereof, comprising:

(a) a first CDR set, CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, that sequentially together are at least 95% identical in amino acid sequence to heavy chain CDRs, CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, sequentially together, that are included in the amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID Nos. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44;

(b) a second CDR set, CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, that sequentially together are at least 95% identical in amino acid sequence to light chain CDRs, CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, sequentially together, that are included in the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID Nos. 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94; or,

(c) a combination of the first CDR set of (a) and the second CDR set of (b),wherein said antibody, antigen-binding portion or derivative competes for angiopoietin binding to angiopoietins 1 and 2.

The antibody may comprise a heavy chain comprising a variable region comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85%, preferably 90%, more preferably 95%, and most preferably 99% identical to the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID No. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 or 44. Further, the antibody may comprise a light chain comprising a variable region comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85%, preferably 90%, more preferably 95%, and most preferably 99% identical to the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID No. 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an isolated antibody, an antigen binding portion or a derivative thereof, comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a heavy chain CDR3 sequence that differs by no more than a total of three amino acid additions, deletions, and/or non-conservative substitutions from a CDR3 sequence selected from SEQ ID Nos. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44;

(b) a light chain CDR3 sequence that differs by no more than a total of three amino acid additions, deletions, and/or non-conservative substitutions from a CDR3 sequence selected from SEQ ID Nos. 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94; and,

(c) a combination of a heavy chain CDR3 sequence of (a) and the light chain CDR3 sequence of (b),

wherein said antibody or antigen binding portion binds to angiopoietins 1 and 2. In one embodiment, the isolated antibody, antigen-binding portion or derivative is a monoclonal antibody.

In another embodiment, the isolated antibody, antigen-binding portion or derivative is selected from the group consisting of a human antibody, a humanized antibody, an antigen-binding antibody fragment, a single chain antibody, a diabody, a triabody, a tetrabody, a F ab fragment, a F (ab′)2 fragment, F d , scF v , a domain antibody, bispecific antibodies, a minibody, a scab, an IgD antibody, an IgE antibody, an IgM antibody, an IgG1 antibody, an IgG2 antibody, an Ig3 antibody, an IgG4 antibody, any derivatives of antibody constant domain, and artificial antibodies based upon protein scaffolds.

In another embodiment, the isolated antibody, antigen-binding portion or derivative is fused to other polypeptides or linked to other chemicals.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition including an antibody or functional fragment thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Compositions of the invention comprise the heavy and/or light chain, the variable domains thereof, or antigen-binding portions thereof, or nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibody, antibody chain, or variable domain thereof, and a mixture with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or fusion partner. Compositions of the invention may further comprise another component, such as a therapeutic agent or a diagnostic agent.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain variable domain, the heavy chain variable domain, or both, of the antibody. The nucleic acid may comprise the nucleotide sequence as set forth in one or more of SEQ ID Nos. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, and 93.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a recombinant expression vector, comprising the nucleic acid of reference sequences.

Still a further aspect of the present invention relates to a host cell transformed with the vector.

Still a further aspect of the present invention relates to an isolated cell line, which produces the antibody, or the heavy chain or light chain or an antigen-binding portion thereof.

Still a further aspect of the present invention relates to a hybridoma producing the antibody, or the heavy chain or light chain or an antigen-binding portion thereof.

Still a further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for treating, preventing or inhibiting type II cancer, dyslipodemia, or a related disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising the step of administering to the subject the antibody, the antigen-binding portion or the derivative thereof, or the pharmaceutical composition. The angiopoietins 1 and 2 antibodies can be administered alone, or in combination with additional antibodies or other medicines.

This invention provides compositions and methods based on interfering with the action of angiopoetins in inducing angiogenesis. Antagonists of the invention, as described herein, provide important therapeutic and diagnostic agents for use in targeting pathological conditions associated with angiogenesis induced by angiopoietins. Accordingly, the invention provides methods, compositions, kits, and articles of manufacture related to modulating angiopoietins 1 and 2 pathway.

FIG. 1 shows the result of competition EILSA of IgG clones converted from scFv phages, wherein many antibodies blocked the binding of angiopoietins 1 (A) and 2 (B) to Tie-2.

FIG. 2 shows tumor volume (A) and weight (B) from Colo205 xenograft study with the selected antibodies.

The present invention provides isolated recombinant and/or synthetic antibodies against angiopoietins 1 and 2, as well as compositions and nucleic acid molecules comprising at least one polynucleotide encoding at least one anti-angiopoietins 1 and 2 antibody. This invention provides compositions and methods based on, but not limited to, interfering with angiopoietins 1 and 2 signaling by binding to the binding domain of Tie-2. Antagonists of the invention, as described herein, provide important therapeutic and diagnostic agents for use in targeting pathological conditions associated with cancer mellitus and related disease. Accordingly, the invention provides methods, compositions, kits, and articles of manufacture related to modulating angiopoietins 1 and 2 pathway.

The term, ‘an antibody,’ as used herein, means a protein consisting of one or more polypeptides substantially encoded by all or part of the recognized immunoglobulin genes. The recognized immunoglobulin genes, for example in humans, include the kappa, lambda, and heavy chain genetic loci, which together comprise the myriad variable region genes, and the constant region genes. Herein, ‘antibody’ may mean ‘a specific antigen binding agent.’ A skilled person in the art would readily appreciate that the antibody can be used as a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, and thus, ‘antibody’ may also be referred to as ‘a therapeutic agent’ or ‘a diagnostic agent.’

An ‘isolated antibody,’ as used herein, is intended to refer to an antibody that is substantially free of other antibodies having different antigenic specificities (e.g., an isolated antibody that specifically binds angiopoietins 1 and 2 is substantially free of antibodies that specifically bind antigens other than angiopoietins 1 and 2). An isolated antibody that specifically binds angiopoietins 1 and 2 may, however, have cross-reactivity to other antigens, such as angiopoietins 1 and 2 from other species. Moreover, an isolated antibody may be substantially free of other cellular material and/or chemicals. Further, an isolated antibody, e.g., an isolated human antibody, can be a chimeric antibody wherein, e.g., variable regions, CDR domains, or isotypes derived from a different human source are grafted to the parent human antibody. An isolated antibody can also be a humanized antibody, which can be generated, for example, by inserting CDRs of non-human antibodies in the framework sequences of human antibodies.

The term, ‘conservative amino acid substitutions,’ as used herein, are substitutions that replace an amino acid residue with one imparting similar or better (for the intended purpose) functional and/or chemical characteristics, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate. Conservative amino acid substitutions are often ones in which the amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue with a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined in the art. For examples, lysine, arginine, histidine for basic side chains, aspartic acid and glutamic acid for acidic side chains, glycine, asparagines, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine, tryptophan for uncharged polar side chains, alanine, valine, leucine, threonine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine for non-polar side chains, and tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine for aromatic side chains. The substitution is of amino acids with generally similar physiochemical properties such that the substitutions do not substantially alter peptide, polypeptide or protein characteristics, or activity.

Percent identity between two amino acid sequences is a function of the number of amino acid positions shared by the sequences (i.e. a number of the positions with the same amino acid divided by total number of positions multiplied by 100), taking into account the number of gaps, and length of each gap, which need to be introduced for optimal alignment of the two sequences. Antibodies of the present invention also include those in which modification have been made to the framework residues within V H and/or V L to improve one of more properties of the antibody. Typically, such framework modifications are made to decrease the immunogenecity or improve the stability of the antibody.

In addition to modifications made within the framework or CDR regions, antibodies of the invention may be engineered to include modifications within the F c region, typically to alter one or more functional properties of the antibody, such as serum half life, complement fixation, Fc receptor binding, and/or antigen dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Antibody fragments or derived agents are a part of antibodies or antibodies in a different format comprising a portion that binds to an antigen, and optionally, a scaffold or framework portion that allows the antigen-binding portion of the antigen-binding protein to the antigen. For example, changes in framework or CDR, such as amino acid substitutions, deletions, or additions, can be made yet to maintain its antigen-binding ability. Alternatively, antigen-binding portion of the invention can be derivatized, linked or recombinantly fused to another molecule (e.g., another peptide, protein, polymers, or chemicals).

Antigen-binding portion of antibodies can be modified to a single chain antibody, a diabody, a triabody, a tetrabody, an isolated V L or V H fragment, a V hh fragment, a F ab fragment (monovalent fragment with V L , C L , V H , and C H1 ), a F (ab′)2 fragment (two F ab fragments linked by a disulfide bridge), F d (V H and C H1 domains), scF v (V L and V H is joined by a linker), a domain antibody, bispecific antibodies, a minibody, a scab (an antibody fragment containing V H and V L as well as either C L or C H1 ), an IgD antibody, an IgE antibody, an IgM antibody, an IgG1 antibody, an IgG2 antibody, an Ig3 antibody, an IgG4 antibody, or any derivatives of antibody constant domain, and artificial antibodies based upon protein scaffolds, including, but not limited to, fibronectin type, avimers, or cytochrome B.

In one aspect, the present invention provides anti-angiopoietins 1 and 2 therapeutic agents suitable for therapeutic use and capable of effecting varying degrees of disruption of the angiopoietins 1 and 2 signaling pathway.

The present invention provides human antibodies against angiopoietins 1 and 2, and derivatives and fragments thereof, comprising a sequence of polynucleotides that encode all or a portion of a polypeptide that binds to the angiopoietins 1 and 2, such as nucleic acid encoding all or part of an anti-angiopoietins 1 and 2 antibody, antibody fragment, or antibody derivative.

In one embodiment, an antibody of the invention is a human antibody that inhibits binding of human angiopoietins 1 and 2 to receptor Tie-2. For example, an antibody of the invention inhibits angiopoietin1 and/or 2 binding with Tie-2 with an IC 50 value of-less than 1 uM, preferably less than 100 nM, more preferably less than 10 nM, and most preferably less than 1 nM.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides isolated angiopoietins 1 and 2 specific antibody molecules which comprise heavy and/or light chain variable regions comprising amino acid sequences that are homologous to the corresponding amino acid sequences of the disclosed antibodies, wherein the antibody molecules inhibit angiopoietins 1 and 2 mediated signaling through Tie-2.

For example, the heavy chain variable domain may comprise a sequence of amino acids that is at least 95, 97 or 99% identical to the sequence of a heavy chain variable domain selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44. Further, the light chain variable domain may comprise a sequence of amino acids that is at least 95, 97 or 99% identical to the sequence of a light chain variable domain selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94. Specific embodiments are antagonists which comprise heavy and/or light chain variable regions which are at least 95%, more preferably 97%, and most preferably 99% homologous to disclosed heavy and/or light chain variable regions, respectively.

In another embodiment, the isolated antigen-binding protein comprises a combination of a light chain variable domain and a heavy chain variable domain selected from the group of combinations consisting of a heavy and light chain in SEQ ID Nos.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides isolated antibody molecules comprising of the heavy and/or light chain variable domain sequences depicted in SEQ ID Nos. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94, and conservative modifications thereof.

In another embodiment, this invention includes antibodies that can be formed by any combination of the variable domains from each light chain and heavy chain sequence as shown in SEQ ID Nos. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94, and equivalents thereof characterized by having one or more conservative amino acid substitutions in any one or more of the CDR sequences, specific embodiments of which inhibit angiopoietins 1 and 2 dependent activation of Tie-2 signaling.

The invention also provides chimeric molecules comprising angiopoietins 1 and 2 antagonist linked or fused to another, heterologous polypeptide or polymer. For instance, techniques are known for deriving an antibody of a different subclass or isotype from an antibody of interest, i.e., subclass switching. These include a humanized antibody, chimeric antibody, a monoclonal antibody, a polyclonal antibody, a recombinant antibody, an antigen-binding antibody fragment such as F (ab′)2 , F ab , F v , F ab′ , F c , and F d fragments, and can be incorporated into single domain antibodies, such as single chain antibodies, maxibodies, minibodies, intrabodies, diabodies, triabodies, tetrabodioes, v-NAR and bis-scF v (Hollinger and Hudson, P. J., 2005).

In additional embodiments, antibodies, fragments, and derivatives of the invention can be fused to other polypeptides or chemicals. The fusion partner can be a peptide, a protein, or a derivative of an antibody that has specific binding activity to other proteins to create bispecific or multispecific molecules or to improve the physiochemical properties of the molecules.

In addition, antibodies can be modified to be glycosylated, pegylated, crosslinked, or conjugated to other proteins or chemicals. Amino acids of antibodies can be substituted by non-natural amino acids.

Angiopoietins 1 and 2 antibodies may carry or be conjugated or recombinantly fused to a toxin, radioactive isotope, radionuclide, a liposome, a targeting moiety, a biosensor, a cationic tail, or an enzyme. Such antagonist compositions form an additional aspect of the present invention.

It may be advantageous to have angiopoietins 1 and 2 antagonist antibody that does not interfere with binding of the receptor. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the invention provides an antibody that does not bind Tie-2 binding site on angiopoietins 1 and 2. In another embodiment, an antibody of the invention does not substantially inhibit angiopoietins 1 and 2 binding to Tie-2. In another embodiment, an antibody of the invention does not substantially compete with Tie-2 for binding to angiopoietins 1 and 2.

In another aspect, the present invention provides use of angiopoietins 1 and 2 antagonist antibody of the invention in the preparation of a medicament for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of angiogenesis related diseases, such as cancer.

In another aspect, the present invention provides use of an expression vector of the invention in the preparation of a medicament for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of angiogenesis related diseases, such as cancer.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides use of a host cell of the invention in the preparation of a medicament for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of angiogenesis related diseases, such as cancer.

In still a further aspect, the present invention provides use of an article of manufacture of the invention in the preparation of a medicament for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of angiogenesis related diseases such as cancer.

The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising an antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition further comprises at least one additional therapeutic agent for treating a disorder in which angiopoietins 1 and 2 overexpression and/or activation is detrimental. The antibodies and antigen-binding portions of the invention can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions suitable for administration to a subject. Typically, the pharmaceutical composition comprises an antibody or antigen-binding portion of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like that are physiologically compatible. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include one or more of water, saline, phosphate buffered saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol and the like, as well as combinations thereof. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, or sodium chloride in the composition. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers may further comprise minor amounts of auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, for example, Tweens and other detergents, or preservatives or buffers, which enhance the shelf life or effectiveness of the antibody or antigen-binding portion.

The compositions of this invention may be in a variety of forms. These include, for example, liquid, semi-solid and solid dosage forms, such as liquid solutions (e.g., injectable and infusible solutions), dispersions or suspensions, tablets, pills, powders, liposomes and suppositories. The preferred form depends on the intended mode of administration and therapeutic application. Typical preferred compositions are in the form of injectable or infusible solutions, such as compositions similar to those used for passive immunization of humans with other antibodies.

The antibodies and antigen-binding portions of the present invention can be administered by a variety of methods known in the art, although for many therapeutic applications, the preferred route/mode of administration is subcutaneous injection, intravenous injection or infusion. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the route and/or mode of administration will vary depending upon the desired results.

Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporated into the compositions. In certain embodiments, an antibody or antigen-binding portion of the invention is co-formulated with and/or co-administered with one or more additional therapeutic agents that are useful for treating disorders in which angiopoietins 1 and 2 activation is detrimental. For example, an anti-angiopoietins 1 and 2 antibody or antigen-binding portion of the invention may be co-formulated and/or co-administered with one or more additional antibodies that bind other targets. Furthermore, one or more antibodies of the invention may be used in combination with two or more of therapeutic agents. Such combination therapies may advantageously utilize lower dosages of the administered therapeutic agents, thus avoiding possible toxicities or complications associated with the various monotherapies.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may include a “therapeutically effective amount” or a “prophylactically effective amount” of an antibody or antigen-binding portion of the invention. A “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired therapeutic result. A therapeutically effective amount of the antibody or antigen-binding portion may vary according to factors such as the disease state, age, sex, and weight of the individual, and the ability of the antibody or antigen-binding portion to elicit a desired response in the individual. A therapeutically effective amount is also one in which any toxic or detrimental effects of the antibody or antigen-binding portion are outweighed by the therapeutically beneficial effects. A “prophylactically effective amount” refers to an amount effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired prophylactic result. Typically, since a prophylactic dose is used in subjects prior to or at an earlier stage of disease, the prophylactically effective amount will be less than the therapeutically effective amount.

An exemplary, non-limiting range for a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of an antibody or antigen-binding portion of the invention is 0.01-100 mg/kg, more preferably 0.1-30 mg/kg. It is to be noted that dosage values may vary with the type and severity of the condition to be alleviated. It is to be further understood that for any particular subject, specific dosage regimens should be adjusted over time according to the individual need and the professional judgment of the person administering or supervising the administration of the compositions, and that dosage ranges set forth herein are exemplary only and are not intended to limit the scope or practice of the claimed composition.

Practical and presently preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrative as shown in the following Examples. However, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, on consideration of this disclosure, may make modifications and improvements within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising an antibody or antigen-binding portion against angiopoietin 1 and 2. The antibody or antigen-binding portion of the present invention can be used for therapeutic and diagnostic agents for use in targeting pathological condition associated with angiogenesis induced by angiopoietins. Therefore, the pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibody or antigen-binding portion of the present invention can be used for diagnosing or treating patients with cancer, retinopathies, arthritis, psoriasis retinopathies, atherosclerosis, respiratory disease, obesity, diabetes, asthma, liver regeneration, pulmonary hypertension, or psoriasis.

Sequence Listing Free Text

SEQ ID NO: 1

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC1

SEQ ID NO: 2

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC1

SEQ ID NO: 3

Nnucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC2

SEQ ID NO: 4

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC2

SEQ ID NO: 5

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC3

SEQ ID NO: 6

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC3

SEQ ID NO: 7

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC4

SEQ ID NO: 8

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC4

SEQ ID NO: 9

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC5

SEQ ID NO: 10

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC5

SEQ ID NO: 11

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC6

SEQ ID NO: 12

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC6

SEQ ID NO: 13

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC7

SEQ ID NO: 14

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC7

SEQ ID NO: 15

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC8

SEQ ID NO: 16

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC8

SEQ ID NO: 17

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC9

SEQ ID NO: 18

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC9

SEQ ID NO: 19

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC10

SEQ ID NO: 20

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC10

SEQ ID NO: 21

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC11

SEQ ID NO: 22

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC11

SEQ ID NO: 23

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC12

SEQ ID NO: 24

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC12

SEQ ID NO: 25

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC13

SEQ ID NO: 26

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC13

SEQ ID NO: 27

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC14

SEQ ID NO: 28

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC14

SEQ ID NO: 29

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC15

SEQ ID NO: 30

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC15

SEQ ID NO: 31

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC16

SEQ ID NO: 32

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC16

SEQ ID NO: 33

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC17

SEQ ID NO: 34

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC17

SEQ ID NO: 35

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC18

SEQ ID NO: 36

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC18

SEQ ID NO: 37

Nucleotide of heavy chain variable

region HC19

SEQ ID NO: 38

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC19

SEQ ID NO: 39

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC20

SEQ ID NO: 40

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC20

SEQ ID NO: 41

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC21

SEQ ID NO: 42

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC21

SEQ ID NO: 43

Nucleotide sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC22

GT

SEQ ID NO: 44

Amino acid sequence of heavy chain

variable region HC22

SEQ ID NO: 45

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC1

SEQ ID NO: 46

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC1

SEQ ID NO: 47

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC2

SEQ ID NO: 48

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC2

SEQ ID NO: 49

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC3

SEQ ID NO: 50

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC3

SEQ ID NO: 51

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC4

SEQ ID NO: 52

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC4

SEQ ID NO: 53

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC5

SEQ ID NO: 54

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC5

SEQ ID NO: 55

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC6

SEQ ID NO: 56

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC6

SEQ ID NO: 57

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC7

SEQ ID NO: 58

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC7

SEQ ID NO: 59

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC8

SEQ ID NO: 60

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC8

SEQ ID NO: 61

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC9

294CAGTCTGTGCTGACTCAGCCACCCTCAGCGTCTGGGACCCCCGGGCA

SEQ ID NO: 62

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC9

SEQ ID NO: 63

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC10

SEQ ID NO: 64

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC10

SEQ ID NO: 65

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC11

SEQ ID NO: 66

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC11

SEQ ID NO: 67

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC12

SEQ ID NO: 68

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC12

SEQ ID NO: 69

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC13

SEQ ID NO: 70

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC13

SEQ ID NO: 71

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC14

SEQ ID NO: 72

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC14

SEQ ID NO: 73

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC15

SEQ ID NO: 74

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC15

SEQ ID NO: 75

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC16

336CAGTCTGTGCTGACTCAGCCACCCTCAGCGTCTGGGACCCCCGGGCG

SEQ ID NO: 76

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC16

SEQ ID NO: 77

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC17

SEQ ID NO: 78

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC17

SEQ ID NO: 79

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC18

SEQ ID NO: 80

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC18

SEQ ID NO: 81

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC19

SEQ ID NO: 82

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC19

SEQ ID NO: 83

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC20

SEQ ID NO: 84

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC20

SEQ ID NO: 85

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC21

SEQ ID NO: 86

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC21

SEQ ID NO: 87

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC22

SEQ ID NO: 88

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC22

SEQ ID NO: 89

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC23

SEQ ID NO: 90

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC23

SEQ ID NO: 91

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC24

SEQ ID NO: 92

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC24

SEQ ID NO: 93

Nucleotide sequence of light chain

variable region LC25

SEQ ID NO: 94

Amino acid sequence of light chain

variable region LC25

In the above amino acid sequences

of light and heavy chain variable

regions (SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10,

12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28,

30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46,

48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64,

66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82,

84, 86, 88, 90, 92, and 94), the

underlined sequences, from left to

right, represent the CDR1, CDR2 and

CDR3, respectively.