Anti-IL31 Antibodies for Veterinary Use

Abstract

Provided are various embodiments relating to anti-IL31 antibodies binding to canine IL31. Such antibodies can be used in methods to treat IL31-induced conditions in companion animals, such as canines, felines, and equines.

1 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method of treating a companion animal species having an IL31-induced condition, the method comprising administering to the companion animal species a therapeutically effective amount of an isolated antibody that binds to an epitope of canine IL31 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the companion animal species is canine or feline. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the IL31-induced condition is a pruritic or allergic condition. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the IL31-induced condition is selected from atopic dermatitis, pruritus, asthma, psoriasis, scleroderma and eczema. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the antibody is administered parenterally. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the antibody is administered by an intramuscular route, an intraperitoneal route, an intracerebrospinal route, a subcutaneous route, an intra-arterial route, an intrasynovial route, an intrathecal route, or an inhalation route. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the method comprises administering in combination with the antibody a Jak inhibitor, a PI3K inhibitor, an AKT inhibitor, or a MAPK inhibitor. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the method comprises administering in combination with the antibody one or more antibodies selected from an anti-IL17 antibody, an anti-TNFα antibody, an anti-CD20 antibody, an anti-CD19 antibody, an anti-CD25 antibody, an anti-IL4 antibody, an anti-IL13 antibody, an anti-IL23 antibody, an anti-IgE antibody, an anti-CD11α antibody, anti-IL6R antibody, anti-α4-Intergrin antibody, an anti-IL12 antibody, an anti-IL1β antibody, and an anti-BlyS antibody. 
     
     
         38 .- 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the antibody binds to canine IL31 with a dissociation constant (Kd) of less than 5×10 −11  M, as measured by biolayer interferometry. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the antibody binds to canine IL31 with a dissociation constant (Kd) of less than 1×10 −11  M, as measured by biolayer interferometry. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the antibody reduces IL31 signaling function in a canine or feline cell, as measured by a reduction in STAT-3 phosphorylation. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the antibody binds to feline IL31, as determined by immunoblot analysis or biolayer interferometry. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the antibody competes with monoclonal M14 antibody in binding to canine IL31. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the antibody competes with monoclonal M14 antibody in binding to feline IL31. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the antibody comprises:
 (a) a variable light chain sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24 and a variable heavy chain sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25; or   (b) a variable light chain sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16 and a variable heavy chain sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15.