MRC Technology, a technology transfer organization, is collaborating with Boston University to develop an anti-IL-16 antibody for use in treatment of inflammatory diseases and Ischaemic Reperfusion Injury (IRI). The project is funded in part through a Biomedical Catalyst award of $932,000 granted to MRC Technology in 2012.

The antibody has potential in a range of inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn's disease, Lupus, asthma and IRI. IRI is the tissue damage and ensuing inflammatory response resulting from a sudden loss of blood flow, which may occur during surgery or as a result of a blood clot. This can result in poor clinical outcomes and extended hospital stays for patients, a large healthcare burden.

The antibody was developed by Boston University and humanized by MRC Technology. The MRC Technology team will now perform further engineering, as well as detailed x-ray structural analysis to understand more about the functionality of IL-16. Boston University will test and validate the antibody both in vivo and in vitro.