PATH and iBody partner to develop a diagnostic for Nipah virus and Hendra virus

PATH and iBody welcomes a new grant from the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund of approximately JPY 99 million. This project aims to develop a tool to enable early NiV and HeV outbreak detection in rural and low-resource settings, reducing transmission and saving lives.

Collectively known as the Henipaviruses (HNVs), Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV) are two high-priority zoonotic pathogens with pandemic potential for which there are no medical countermeasures (diagnostics, vaccines, or treatment options). The mortality rates associated with Nipah virus are 40% to 75%, with 20% of convalescent cases having longer-term sequelae. While reported cases of Hendra virus are very rare, the mortality rate is over 50%. Their diagnosis is dependent on centralized laboratory testing via culture and molecular methods, which are slow, costly, and inaccessible in low-resource settings. Delays in diagnosis increase transmission risk and mortality, especially in settings where early isolation and contact tracing are critical for containment. The lack of point-of-care tools also hampers One Health surveillance, limiting the ability to monitor spillover events in animals and humans.

The Strategic High-Performance Immunoglobulins for Epidemic and Lethal Diseases (SHIELD) project will develop critical reagents towards a prototype rapid antigen test (RAT) capable of point-of-care detection and differentiation of infections caused by NiV and HeV. Leveraging iBody’s innovative Ecobody antibody discovery technology for targeted antibody development and PATH’s expertise in antibody screening and RAT development, the project will deliver antibodies that support the development of a highly specific diagnostic tool and future incorporation into commercial RAT formats. This effort is critical to strengthening global pandemic preparedness and protecting vulnerable populations from future HNV outbreaks.

• “Diagnostics play a pivotal role in outbreak response; they enable accurate case confirmation and improve surveillance data quality. Currently, there are few or no quality diagnostic tests for several of the priority pandemic pathogens. We’re excited to partner with iBody to bring this critical solution to the community and continue to provide fit-for-purpose health products.”
  
  –Gonzalo Domingo, Global Program Leader, Diagnostics, PATH
  
  
• “Rapid and accurate diagnosis is essential for controlling outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases. Through this collaboration with PATH, we are excited to apply our Ecobody technology to discover high-performance antibodies for challenging targets. We hope our antibodies will contribute to the development of accessible diagnostic tools and help protect communities around the world.”
  
  –Yo (Max) Amakusa, CEO, iBody Inc.

Antibody targets that are specific to NiV and HeV have been identified. By advancing RAT development and fostering industry engagement via global access to qualified, low-cost, high-quality antibodies and standard operating procedures for rapid translation into RAT manufacturing, SHIELD will help close critical diagnostic gaps and enable timely outbreak detection, ultimately reducing the global health threat posed by the HNVs.

About PATH

PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships, and expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing health challenges. Learn more at www.path.org

About iBody

iBody Inc. is a biotechnology company originating from Nagoya University, Japan, specializing in the discovery of high-performance monoclonal antibodies. Its proprietary technology combines single B-cell screening with cell-free antibody expression to rapidly identify antibodies with desired functionality, including those against challenging targets. iBody supports pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and research organizations worldwide through its antibody discovery technology. For more information visit: www.ibody.co.jp/en/