Anti-il-6 antibodies, compositions, methods and uses

Abstract

The present invention relates to at least one novel chimeric, humanized or CDR-grafted anti-IL-6 antibodies derived from the murine CLB-8 antibody, including isolated nucleic acids that encode at least one such anti-IL-6 antibody, vectors, host cells, transgenic animals or plants, and methods of making and using thereof, including therapeutic compositions, methods and devices.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . An isolated antibody or antibody fragment that binds to human IL-6 comprising a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain containing complementarity determining regions (CDRs), and a constant region derived from one or more human antibodies, wherein the heavy chain variable domain comprises the CDR3 of SEQ ID No. 3. 
     
     
         4 . The antibody or fragment according to  claim 3 , wherein said antibody or fragment competitively inhibits in vivo the binding to human IL-6 of the anti IL-6 murine antibody CLB-8 or an antibody having substantially the same binding characteristics of the CLB-8 antibody. 
     
     
         5 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An isolated fully human antibody or specified portion or variant thereof, wherein said antibody or specified portion or variant binds the same epitope or antigenic region as an IL-6 antibody or fragment according to  claim 3 . 
     
     
         23 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . An isolated IL-6 antibody or fragment thereof, comprising a murine variable and human constant region, wherein said antibody or specified portion or variant specifically binds at least one epitope comprising amino acids Gln29-Lev34 of human IL-6. 
     
     
         41 . An IL-6 antibody or fragment thereof according to  claim 40 , wherein said antibody or specified portion or variant binds IL-6 with an affinity of at least 10 −9  M.