MAU868: A novel approach to neutralizing BK virus
MAU868 is a first-in-class investigational monoclonal antibody designed to neutralize BK virus (BKV), a common virus that can have significant consequences in kidney transplant recipients. With no approved treatments available today, BKV remains a challenge for patients and clinicians.
MAU868 is an investigational therapy that has not been approved by any regulatory authority. Its safety and efficacy have not been established.
Understanding BK Virus (BKV)
BKV is a polyomavirus that lies dormant in most healthy adults. BK virus infection is extremely common, with most people acquiring it in childhood, and the virus often remains latent without causing symptoms. However, when the immune system is suppressed, such as after kidney or stem cell transplantation, the virus can reactivate and lead to serious clinical complications.1,2
How MAU868 is designed to work
MAU868 is being studied for its potential to neutralize BKV by binding to the virus and preventing it from attaching to and entering host cells. This upstream mechanism aims to interrupt the viral life cycle at an early stage.1
References
- Ambalathingal GR, Francis RS, Smyth MJ, et al. BK Polyomavirus: Clinical Aspects, Immune Regulation, and Emerging Therapies. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2017;30(2):503-528. doi:10.1128/CMR.00074-16
- Jordan SC, Limaye A, Fischbach B, et al. A randomized phase 2 study of MAU868 vs. placebo to treat BK viremia in kidney transplant recipients: SA-OR43. JASN 2022;33(11S):46. https://doi.org/10.1681/ASN.20223311S146a