Cryo-EM pipeline for determining structure of prefusion NiV-F in complex with 2A1-Fab. (A) NiV-pre F in complex with 2A1 Fabs. Representative motion-corrected micrograph, 2D class averages, and volumes from 3D reconstruction and refinement. Particle numbers and software programs are listed beside each step. (B) High-resolution 3D reconstructions. Credit: Science Translational Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adw8573
An international research team led by investigators in the Department of Microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has developed the first fully human monoclonal antibody cocktail shown to provide complete protection against lethal Nipah and Hendra virus infection. The protection was seen even when treatment was given after infection had begun.
Published in Science Translational Medicine, the study identifies two fully human antibodies that target different stages of the Nipah virus infection process. When used together, the antibodies provided complete protection in hamster models exposed to otherwise lethal doses of the virus.
The findings represent an important step toward developing the first antibody-based therapy for Nipah virus and establish a promising strategy for combating emerging infectious diseases.
