NOVEL ANTIBODIES SPECIFICALLY BINDING TO ZIKA VIRUS EPITOPES AND USES

THEREOF

The present invention relates to antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof, that bind specifically to Zika virus (ZIKV) epitopes. Such antibodies (i) potently neutralize infection of Zika virus (ZIKV) or (ii) are directed against NS1 ZIKV and can be used as diagnostics. The invention also relates to antigenic sites to which the antibodies and antigen binding fragments bind to, as well as to nucleic acids that encode the antibodies and immortalized B cells that produce such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies and antibody fragments of the invention in screening methods as wel l as in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of ZIKV infection.

Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is a public health emergency. ZIKV was first isolated from macaques in 1 947 in the Zika forest in Uganda ( G. W. A. Dick, S. F. Kitchen, A. J. Haddow, Zika virus. I. Isolations and serological specificity. Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 46, 509-520 (1 952)) and the first human infection was reported in Nigeria in 1 954 F. N. Macnamara, Zika virus: a report on three cases of human infection during an epidemic of jaundice in Nigeria. Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 48, 1 39-145 (1 954)). Since then, ZIKV infections were sporadically reported in Africa and southeast Asia (D. Musso, Van Mai Cao- Lormeau, D. J. Gubler, Zika virus: following the path of dengue and chikungunya? The Lancet. 386, 243-244 (201 5)), but epidemics were reported in Micronesia in 2007 (M. R. Duffy et a/., Zika virus outbreak on Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia. /V Engl J Med. 360, 2536-2543 (2009)) and in French Polynesia in 201 3-14, with the virus subsequently spreading to other countries in the Oceanian continent ( V.-M. Cao-Lormeau, D. Musso, Emerging arboviruses in the Pacific. Lancet. 384, 1 571 -1 572 (201 4); D. Musso, E. J. Nilles, V.-M. Cao-Lormeau, Rapid spread of emerging Zika virus in the Pacific area. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 20, Ο595-6 (2014)). After its introduction into Brazil in 201 5, ZIKV has spread rapidly and in February 201 6 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern ( L. R. Baden, L. R. Petersen, D. J. Jamieson, A. M. Powers, M. A. Honein, Zika Virus. /V. Engl. J. Med. 374, 1 552-1 563 (201 6); A. S. Fauci, D. M. Morens, Zika Virus in the Americas - Yet Another Arbovirus Threat. N Engl J Med, 1 601 1 3142101 009 (201 6); D. L. Heymann et al., Zika virus and microcephaly: why is this situation a PHEIC? Lancet 387, 71 9-721 (201 6)). The main route of ZIKV infection is through bites by Aedes mosquitos, but the virus may also be sexually (D. Musso et al., Potential sexual transmission of Zika virus. Emerg Infect Dis. 21 , 359-361 (201 5)) and vertically transmitted (J. Mlakar et al., Zika Virus Associated with Microcephaly. N Engl J Med. 374, 951 -958 (201 6)). While most of the ZIKV infections are asymptomatic or cause only mild symptoms, there is evidence that ZIKV infection can lead to neurological complications, such as Guillain- Barre Syndrome in adults ( V.-M. Cao-Lormeau et al., Guillain-Barre Syndrome outbreak associated with Zika virus infection in French Polynesia: a case-control study. Lancet 0 (201 6), doi:1 0.1 01 6/S0140-6736(1 6)00562-6) and congenital birth defects including microcephaly in the developing fetus G. Calvet, R. S. Aguiar, A. Melo, S. A. Sampaio, Detection and sequencing of Zika virus from amniotic fluid of fetuses with microcephaly in Brazil: a case study. Lancet Infect Dis (201 6), doi: 1 0.1 01 6/s1473-3099(1 6)00095-5; J. Mlakar et al., Zika Virus Associated with Microcephaly. N Engl J Med. 374, 951 -958 (201 6); E. J. Rubin, M. F. Greene, L. R. Baden, Zika Virus and Microcephaly. N Engl J Med (201 6), doi: 1 0.1 056/NEJMe1 601 862), likely through its ability to infect human neural progenitor cells ( H. Tang et al., Zika Virus Infects Human Cortical Neural Progenitors and Attenuates Their Growth. Stem Cell, 1 -5 (201 6)).

ZIKV belongs to the genus flavivirus, which also includes the West Nile virus, dengue virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, yellow fever virus, and several other viruses which may cause encephalitis. Flaviviruses are enveloped, with icosahedral and spherical geometries. The diameter is around 50 nm. Genomes are l inear positive-sense RNA and non-segmented, around 1 0-1 1 kb in length. The genome of flaviviruses encodes 3 structural proteins (Capsid, prM, and Envelope) and 8 non-structural proteins (NS1 , NS2A, NS2 B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5 and NS5B).

While flavivirus envelope (E) proteins mediate fusion and are the main target of neutralizing antibodies, the non-structural protein 1 (NS1 ) is secreted by infected cells and is involved in immune evasion and pathogenesis (D. A. Mulier, P. R. Young, The flavivirus NS1 protein: molecular and structural biology, immunology, role in pathogenesis and application as a diagnostic biomarker. Antiviral Res. 98, 1 92-208 (201 3)). Two recent structural studies showed a high level of structural similarity between the E protein of ZIKV and that of other flaviviruses, such as dengue virus (DENV), yellow fever virus (YFV) and West Nile virus (WNV) but also revealed unique features that may be related to the ZIKV neurotropism ( L. Dai et a/., Structures of the Zika Virus Envelope Protein and Its Complex with a Flavivirus Broadly Protective Antibody. Cell Host Microbe (201 6), doi:1 0.1 01 6/j.chom.201 6.04.013; D. Sirohi etai, The 3.8 A resolution cryo-EM structure of Zika virus. Science, aaf531 6 (201 6)). Similarly, the structural analysis of ZIKV NS1 revealed conserved features with NS1 of other flaviviruses although with different electrostatic characteristics ( J. Kim et a!, Zika virus NS1 structure reveals diversity of electrostatic surfaces among flaviviruses, 1 -6 (201 6)).

A phenomenon that is characteristic of certain flaviviruses is the disease-enhancing activity of cross-reactive antibodies elicited by previous infection by heterologous viruses. In the case of Dengue virus (DENV), for which 4 serotypes are known, there is epidemiological evidence that a primary infection protects from reinfection with the same serotype, but represents a risk factor for the development of severe disease upon reinfection with a different serotype (S. B. Haistead, Dengue Antibody-Dependent Enhancement: Knowns and Unknowns. Microbiol Spectr. 2, 249-271 (2014)). The exacerbated disease is triggered by E and prM-specific antibodies that fail to neutralize the incoming virus but instead enhance its capture by Fc receptor-expressing (FcR ⁺ ) cells, leading to enhanced viral replication and activation of cross- reactive memory T cells. The resulting cytokine storm is thought to be the basis of the most severe form of disease known as dengue hemorragic fever/dengue shock syndrome (S. B. Haistead, Neutralization and antibody-dependent enhancement of dengue viruses. Adv Virus Res. 60, 421 -467 (2003); G. Screaton, J. Mongkolsapaya, S. Yacoub, C. Roberts, New insights into the immunopathology and control of dengue virus infection. Nat Rev Immunol. 1 5, 745- 759 (201 5). The role of antibodies in severe dengue is supported by studies showing that waning levels of maternal antibodies in infants represent a higher risk for development of severe dengue disease (S. B. Haistead, Neutralization and antibody-dependent enhancement of dengue viruses. Adv Virus Res. 60, 421 -467 (2003); S. B. Haistead et a/., Dengue hemorrhagic fever in infants: research opportunities ignored. Emerging Infect Dis. 8, 1474- 1479 (2002); T. H. Nguyen et al., Dengue hemorrhagic fever in infants: a study of clinical and cytokine profiles. J In feet Dis. 1 89, 221 -232 (2004); A. L. Rothman, Dengue: defining protective versus pathologic immunity. J Clin Invest 1 1 3, 946-951 (2004)). Recently, it was shown that most antibodies that reacted to DENV envelope protein also bound to ZIKV, but those that recognize the major linear fusion-loop epitope (FLE) did not neutralize ZIKV and instead promoted antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of ZIKV infection (Dejnirattisai W, Supasa P, Wongwiwat W, Rouvinski A, Barba-Spaeth G, Duangchinda T, Sakuntabhai A, Cao-Lormeau VM, Malasit P, Rey FA, Mongkoisapaya J, Screaton GR: Dengue virus sero-cross-reactivity drives antibody-dependent enhancement of infection with zika virus. Nat Immunol. 201 6 Jun 23. doi: 1 0.1 038/ni.351 5. [Epub ahead of print]).

Moreover, according to the WHO, the recent increase in cases of microcephaly and other neurological disorders potentially associated with Zika virus infection has prompted an increase in demand for laboratory testing to detect Zika virus infection. In this context, high specificity of the antibodies is required in order to distinguish ZIKV infection from infection of other flaviviruses. However, known anti-Zika antibodies are typically cross-reactive for other flaviviruses and, thus, not useful to distinguish ZIKV infection from infection of other flaviviruses.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide novel antibodies, which specifically bind to ZIKV epitopes. It is also an object of the present invention to provide potently neutralizing anti-ZIKV antibodies. Such antibodies do preferably not contribute to antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of Zika virus infection. It is also an object of the present invention to provide highly specific anti-ZIKV antibodies useful in diagnosis and testing of ZIKV infection and diagnosis methods using such antibodies.

The object underlying the present invention is solved by the claimed subject matter. Although the present invention is described in detail below, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodologies, protocols and reagents described herein as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention which wil l be limited only by the appended claims. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In the following, the elements of the present invention wi ll be described. These elements are listed with specific embodiments, however, it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments. The variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the present invention to only the explicitly described embodiments. This description should be understood to support and encompass embodiments which combine the explicitly described embodiments with any number of the disclosed and/or preferred elements. Furthermore, any permutations and combinations of all described elements in this application should be considered disclosed by the description of the present application unless the context indicates otherwise.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", wi ll be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated member, integer or step but not the exclusion of any other non-stated member, integer or step. The term "consist of" is a particular embodiment of the term "comprise", wherein any other non-stated member, integer or step is excluded. In the context of the present invention, the term "comprise" encompasses the term "consist of". The term "comprising" thus encompasses "including" as well as "consisting" e.g., a composition "comprising" X may consist exclusively of X or may include something additional e.g., X + Y.

The terms "a" and "an" and "the" and simi lar reference used in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

The word "substantially" does not exclude "completely" e.g., a composition which is "substantially free" from Y may be completely free from Y. Where necessary, the word "substantially" may be omitted from the definition of the invention. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value x means x ± 1 0%.

The term "disease" as used herein is intended to be general ly synonymous, and is used interchangeably with, the terms "disorder" and "condition" (as in medical condition), in that all reflect an abnormal condition of the human or animal body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning, is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms, and causes the human or animal to have a reduced duration or quality of life.

As used herein, reference to "treatment" of a subject or patient is intended to include prevention, prophylaxis, attenuation, amelioration and therapy. The terms "subject" or "patient" are used interchangeably herein to mean all mammals including humans. Examples of subjects include humans, cows, dogs, cats, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, and rabbits. In one embodiment, the patient is a human.

As used herein, the terms "antigen binding fragment," "fragment," and "antibody fragment" are used interchangeably to refer to any fragment of an antibody of the invention that retains the antigen-binding activity of the antibody. Examples of antibody fragments include, but are not limited to, a single chain antibody, Fab, Fab', F(ab') ₂ , Fv or scFv. Further, the term "antibody" as used herein includes both antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof. As used herein, the term "antibody" encompasses various forms of antibodies including, without being limited to, whole antibodies, antibody fragments, in particular antigen binding fragments, human antibodies, chimeric antibodies, humanized antibodies, recombinant antibodies and genetically engineered antibodies (variant or mutant antibodies) as long as the characteristic properties according to the invention are retained. Human antibodies and monoclonal antibodies are preferred and especially preferred are human monoclonal antibodies, in particular as recombinant human monoclonal antibodies.

Human antibodies are well-known in the state of the art (van Dijk, M. A., and van de Winkel, J. G., Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 5 (2001 ) 368-374). Human antibodies can also be produced in transgenic animals (e.g., mice) that are capable, upon immunization, of producing a full repertoire or a selection of human antibodies in the absence of endogenous immunoglobulin production. Transfer of the human germ-line immunoglobulin gene array in such germ-l ine mutant mice wi ll result in the production of human antibodies upon antigen challenge (see, e.g., Jakobovits, A., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90 (1 993) 2551 -2555; Jakobovits, A., et al., Nature 362 (1 993) 255-258; Bruggemann, M., et al., Year Immunol. 7 (1 993) 3340). Human antibodies can also be produced in phage display libraries (Hoogenboom, H. R., and Winter, G., /. Mol. Biol. 227 (1 992) 381 -388; Marks, J. D., et al., / Mol. Biol. 222 (1 991 ) 581 - 597). The techniques of Cole et al. and Boerner et al. are also available for the preparation of human monoclonal antibodies (Cole et al., Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, p. 77 (1 985); and Boerner, P., et al., /. Immunol. 1 47 (1 991 ) 86-95). Preferably, human monoclonal antibodies are prepared by using improved EBV-B cel l immortalization as described in Traggiai E, Becker S, Subbarao K, Kolesnikova L, Uematsu Y, Gismondo MR, Murphy BR, Rappuoli R, Lanzavecchia A. (2004): An efficient method to make human monoclonal antibodies from memory B cells: potent neutralization of SARS coronavirus. Nat Med. 1 0(8):871 -5. The term "human antibody" as used herein also comprises such antibodies which are modified, e.g. in the variable region, to generate the properties according to the invention as described herein. As used herein, the term "variable region" (variable region of a light chain (Vt), variable region of a heavy chain (V _H )) denotes each of the pair of l ight and heavy chains which is involved directly in binding the antibody to the antigen.

Antibodies of the invention can be of any isotype {e.g., IgA, IgG, IgM i.e. an α, γ or μ heavy chain), but will preferably be IgG. Within the IgG isotype, antibodies may be IgGI , lgG2, lgG3 or lgG4 subclass, whereby lgG1 is preferred. Antibodies of the invention may have a κ or a λ light chain. Preferably, the antibody according to the present invention, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is a purified antibody, a single chain antibody, Fab, Fab', F(ab')2, Fv or scFv. The antibodies of the invention may thus preferably be human antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, human monoclonal antibodies, recombinant antibodies or purified antibodies. The invention also provides fragments of the antibodies of the invention, particularly fragments that retain the antigen-binding activity of the antibodies. Such fragments include, but are not limited to, single chain antibodies, Fab, Fab', F(ab')2, Fv or scFv. Although the specification, including the claims, may, in some places, refer explicitly to antigen binding fragment(s), antibody fragment(s), variant(s) and/or derivative(s) of antibodies, it is understood that the term "antibody" or "antibody of the invention" includes all categories of antibodies, namely, antigen binding fragment(s), antibody fragment(s), variant(s) and derivative(s) of antibodies.

Fragments of the antibodies of the invention can be obtained from the antibodies by methods that include digestion with enzymes, such as pepsin or papain, and/or by cleavage of disulfide bonds by chemical reduction. Alternatively, fragments of the antibodies can be obtained by cloning and expression of part of the sequences of the heavy or light chains. Antibody "fragments" include Fab, Fab', F(ab')2 and Fv fragments. The invention also encompasses single-chain Fv fragments (scFv) derived from the heavy and light chains of an antibody of the invention. For example, the invention includes a scFv comprising the CDRs from an antibody of the invention. Also included are heavy or light chain monomers and dimers, single domain heavy chain antibodies, single domain light chain antibodies, as well as single chain antibodies, e.g., single chain Fv in which the heavy and light chain variable domains are joined by a peptide linker.

Antibody fragments of the invention may impart monovalent or multivalent interactions and be contained in a variety of structures as described above. For instance, scFv molecules may be synthesized to create a trivalent "triabody" or a tetravalent "tetrabody." The scFv molecules may include a domain of the Fc region resulting in bivalent minibodies. In addition, the sequences of the invention may be a component of multispecific molecules in which the sequences of the invention target the epitopes of the invention and other regions of the molecule bind to other targets. Exemplary molecules include, but are not limited to, bispecific Fab2, trispecific Fab3, bispecific scFv, and diabodies (Holliger and Hudson, 2005, Nature Biotechnology 9: 1 126-1 1 36).

Antibodies according to the present invention may be provided in purified form. Typically, the antibody will be present in a composition that is substantially free of other polypeptides e.g., where less than 90% (by weight), usually less than 60% and more usually less than 50% of the composition is made up of other polypeptides.

Antibodies according to the present invention may be immunogenic in human and/or in non-human (or heterologous) hosts e.g., in mice. For example, the antibodies may have an idiotope that is immunogenic in non-human hosts, but not in a human host. Antibodies of the invention for human use include those that cannot be easi ly isolated from hosts such as mice, goats, rabbits, rats, non-primate mammals, etc. and cannot generally be obtained by humanization or from xeno-mice.

As used herein, a "neutralizing antibody" is one that can neutralize, i.e., prevent, inhibit, reduce, impede or interfere with, the ability of a pathogen to initiate and/or perpetuate an infection in a host. The terms "neutralizing antibody" and "an antibody that neutralizes" or "antibodies that neutralize" are used interchangeably herein. These antibodies can be used alone, or in combination, as prophylactic or therapeutic agents upon appropriate formulation, in association with active vaccination, as a diagnostic tool, or as a production tool as described herein.

Doses are often expressed in relation to the bodyweight. Thus, a dose which is expressed as [g, mg, or other unit]/kg (or g, mg etc.) usually refers to [g, mg, or other unit] "per kg (or g, mg etc.) bodyweight", even if the term "bodyweight" is not explicitly mentioned. The term "specifically binding" and similar reference does not encompass non-specific sticking. The term "vaccine" as used herein is typically understood to be a prophylactic or therapeutic material providing at least one antigen, preferably an immunogen. The antigen or immunogen may be derived from any material that is suitable for vaccination. For example, the antigen or immunogen may be derived from a pathogen, such as from bacteria or virus particles etc., or from a tumor or cancerous tissue. The antigen or immunogen stimulates the body's adaptive immune system to provide an adaptive immune response. In particular, an "antigen" or an "immunogen" refers typically to a substance which may be recognized by the immune system, preferably by the adaptive immune system, and which is capable of triggering an antigen-specific immune response, e.g. by formation of antibodies and/or antigen-specific T cells as part of an adaptive immune response. Typically, an antigen may be or may comprise a peptide or protein which may be presented by the MHC to T-cells.

As used herein, "sequence variant" (also referred to as "variant") refers to any alteration in a reference sequence, whereby a reference sequence is any of the sequences listed in the "Tables of Sequences and SEQ ID Numbers" (sequence listing), i.e. SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 402. Thus, the term "sequence variant" includes nucleotide sequence variants and amino acid sequence variants. Of note, the sequence variants referred to herein are in particular functional sequence variants, i.e. sequence variants maintaining the biological function of, for example, the antibody. In the context of the present invention such a maintained biological function is preferably the neutralization of ZIKV infection, the binding of the antibody to the ZIKV E protein and/or the binding of the antibody to the ZIKV NS1 protein. Preferred sequence variants are thus functional sequence variants having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity to a reference sequence. The phrase "functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity", as used herein, means (i) that the sequence variant is functional as described herein and (ii) the higher the % sequence identity, the more preferred the sequence variant. In other words, the phrase "functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity", means in particular that the functional sequence variant has at least 70% sequence identity, preferably at least 75% sequence identity, preferably at least 80% sequence identity, more preferably at least 85% sequence identity, more preferably at least 88% sequence identity, even more preferably at least 90 % sequence identity, even more preferably at least 92% sequence identity, still more preferably at least 95% sequence identity, still more preferably at least 96% sequence identity, particularly preferably at least 97% sequence identity, particularly preferably at least 98% sequence identity and most preferably at least 99% sequence identity to the respective reference sequence. The term "sequence variant" includes in particular such variants that comprise mutations and/or substitutions in comparison to the reference sequence. Exemplary variants of an Fc moiety sequence include, but are not limited to, those that have an L to A substitution at position CH2 4, CH2 5, or both. Sequence identity is usually calculated with regard to the full length of the reference sequence (i.e. the sequence recited in the application). Percentage identity, as referred to herein, can be determined, for example, using BLAST using the default parameters specified by the NCBI (the National Center for Biotechnology Information; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) [Blosum 62 matrix; gap open penalty=1 1 and gap extension penalty=1 ] .

As used herein, a "nucleotide sequence variant" has an altered sequence in which one or more of the nucleotides in the reference sequence is deleted, or substituted, or one or more nucleotides are inserted into the sequence of the reference nucleotide sequence. Nucleotides are referred to herein by the standard one-letter designation (A, C, G, or T). Due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, a "nucleotide sequence variant" can either result in a change in the respective reference amino acid sequence, i.e. in an "amino acid sequence variant" or not. Preferred sequence variants are such nucleotide sequence variants, which do not result in amino acid sequence variants (si lent mutations), but other non-silent mutations are within the scope as well, in particular mutant nucleotide sequences, which result in an amino acid sequence, which is at least 80%, preferably at least 90 %, more preferably at least 95% sequence identical to the reference sequence. An "amino acid sequence variant" has an altered sequence in which one or more of the amino acids in the reference sequence is deleted or substituted, or one or more amino acids are inserted into the sequence of the reference amino acid sequence. As a result of the alterations, the amino acid sequence variant has an amino acid sequence which is at least 80% identical to the reference sequence, preferably, at least 90% identical, more preferably at least 95% identical, most preferably at least 99% identical to the reference sequence. Variant sequences which are at least 90% identical have no more than 1 0 alterations, i.e. any combination of deletions, insertions or substitutions, per 1 00 amino acids of the reference sequence.

While it is possible to have non-conservative amino acid substitutions, it is preferred that the substitutions be conservative amino acid substitutions, in which the substituted amino acid has similar structural or chemical properties with the corresponding amino acid in the reference sequence. By way of example, conservative amino acid substitutions involve substitution of one aliphatic or hydrophobic amino acids, e.g. alanine, valine, leucine and isoleucine, with another; substitution of one hydoxyl-containing amino acid, e.g. serine and threonine, with another; substitution of one acidic residue, e.g. glutamic acid or aspartic acid, with another; replacement of one amide-containing residue, e.g. asparagine and glutamine, with another; replacement of one aromatic residue, e.g. phenylalanine and tyrosine, with another; replacement of one basic residue, e.g. lysine, arginine and histidine, with another; and replacement of one small amino acid, e.g., alanine, serine, threonine, methionine, and glycine, with another.

Amino acid sequence insertions include amino- and/or carboxyl-terminal fusions rangi ng in length from one residue to polypeptides containing a hundred or more residues, as well as intrasequence insertions of single or multiple amino acid residues. Examples of terminal insertions include the fusion to the N- or C-terminus of an amino acid sequence to a reporter molecule or an enzyme. Importantly, the alterations in the sequence variants do not abolish the functionality of the respective reference sequence, in the present case, e.g., the functionality of a sequence of an antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, to bind to the same epitope and/or to sufficiently neutralize infection of ZIKV. Guidance in determining which nucleotides and amino acid residues, respectively, may be substituted, inserted or deleted without abol ishing such functionality are found by using computer programs well known in the art. As used herein, a nucleic acid sequence or an amino acid sequence "derived from" a designated nucleic acid, peptide, polypeptide or protein refers to the origin of the nucleic acid, peptide, polypeptide or protein. Preferably, the nucleic acid sequence or amino acid sequence which is derived from a particular sequence has an amino acid sequence that is essentially identical to that sequence or a portion thereof, from which it is derived, whereby "essentially identical" includes sequence variants as defined above. Preferably, the nucleic acid sequence or amino acid sequence which is derived from a particular peptide or protein, is derived from the corresponding domain in the particular peptide or protein. Thereby, "corresponding" refers in particular to the same functionality. For example, an "extracellular domain" corresponds to another "extracellular domain" (of another protein), or a "transmembrane domain" corresponds to another "transmembrane domain" (of another protein). "Corresponding" parts of peptides, proteins and nucleic acids are thus easi ly identifiable to one of ordinary skill in the art. Likewise, sequences "derived from" other sequence are usually easily identifiable to one of ordinary skill in the art as having its origin in the sequence.

Preferably, a nucleic acid sequence or an amino acid sequence derived from another nucleic acid, peptide, polypeptide or protein may be identical to the starting nucleic acid, peptide, polypeptide or protein (from which it is derived). However, a nucleic acid sequence or an amino acid sequence derived from another nucleic acid, peptide, polypeptide or protein may also have one or more mutations relative to the starting nucleic acid, peptide, polypeptide or protein (from which it is derived), in particular a nucleic acid sequence or an amino acid sequence derived from another nucleic acid, peptide, polypeptide or protein may be a functional sequence variant as described above of the starting nucleic acid, peptide, polypeptide or protein (from which it is derived). For example, in a peptide/protein one or more amino acid residues may be substituted with other amino acid residues or one or more amino acid residue insertions or deletions may occur. As used herein, the term "mutation" relates to a change in the nucleic acid sequence and/or in the amino acid sequence in comparison to a reference sequence, e.g. a corresponding genomic sequence. A mutation, e.g. in comparison to a genomic sequence, may be, for example, a (naturally occurring) somatic mutation, a spontaneous mutation, an induced mutation, e.g. induced by enzymes, chemicals or radiation, or a mutation obtained by site- directed mutagenesis (molecular biology methods for making specific and intentional changes in the nucleic acid sequence and/or in the amino acid sequence). Thus, the terms "mutation" or "mutating" shall be understood to also include physically making a mutation, e.g. in a nucleic acid sequence or in an amino acid sequence. A mutation includes substitution, deletion and insertion of one or more nucleotides or amino acids as well as inversion of several successive nucleotides or amino acids. To achieve a mutation in an amino acid sequence, preferably a mutation may be introduced into the nucleotide sequence encoding said amino acid sequence in order to express a (recombinant) mutated polypeptide. A mutation may be achieved e.g., by altering, e.g., by site-directed mutagenesis, a codon of a nucleic acid molecule encoding one amino acid to result in a codon encoding a different amino acid, or by synthesizing a sequence variant, e.g., by knowing the nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide and by designing the synthesis of a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a variant of the polypeptide without the need for mutating one or more nucleotides of a nucleic acid molecule.

Several documents are cited throughout the text of this specification. Each of the documents cited herein (including all patents, patent applications, scientific publications, manufacturer's specifications, instructions, etc.), whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols and reagents described herein as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention which will be limited only by the appended claims. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary ski ll in the art.

Antibodies potently neutralizing Zika virus infection

The present invention is based, amongst other findings, on the discovery and isolation of antibodies that bind specifically to Zika virus epitopes. Such antibodies are either (i) highly potent in neutralizing Zika virus, if directed to an antigenic site of Zika virus envelope (E) protein or to a ZIKV quaternary epitope or (ii) useful in diagnosis of Zika virus infection, if directed to Zika virus NS1 protein. Such antibodies are desirable, as only small quantities of the antibodies are required in order to neutralize Zika virus. In particular, there is currently no prevention/treatment available for Zika virus infection. The antibodies according to the present invention are highly effective in preventing as well as treating or attenuating Zika virus infection. Moreover, due to the specificity of the antibodies for Zika virus, they do not el icit ADE, but rather block ADE. In diagnosis, Zika-specific antibodies provide an important tool for distinguishing Zika virus infection from infection with other flaviviruses, such as Dengue virus. In a first aspect the present invention provides an isolated antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds to a Zika virus epitope and neutralizes Zika virus infection. In other words, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, reduces viral infectivity of Zika virus. To study and quantitate virus infectivity (or "neutralization") in the laboratory the person skilled in the art knows various standard "neutralization assays". For a neutralization assay animal viruses are typically propagated in cells and/or cell lines. In the context of the present invention a neutralization assay is preferred, wherein cultured cells are incubated with a fixed amount of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the presence (or absence) of the antibody to be tested. As a readout for example flow cytometry may be used. Alternatively, also other readouts are conceivable, such as determining the amount of ZIKV non-structural proteins (such as ZIKV NS1 ) secreted into culture supernatant. For example, a ZIKV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1 ) antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based tissue culture infectious dose-50 (TCID50) test (TCID50-ELISA) may be used as an alternative to the standard plaque assay for titrating Zika virus - in a similar manner as described for dengue virus (DENV) by Li J, Hu D-M, Ding X-X, Chen Y, Pan Y-X, Qiu L-W, Che X-Y: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-format tissue culture infectious dose-50 test for titrating dengue virus. PLoS ONE 201 1 , 6:e22553. In such an assay for example the ZIKV NS1 -binding antibodies as described in the present application may be advantageously used.

In a preferred embodiment of a ZIKV neutralization assay, cultured cells, for example Vero cells, are incubated with a fixed amount of ZIKV in the presence or absence of the antibody to be tested, for example for about four days. After incubation, cells may be washed and further cultivated. To measure virus infectivity, flow cytometry may be used. To this end, cells may be fixed, e.g. with 2% formaldehyde, permeabilizes, e.g. in PBS (phosphate buffered saline) 1 % FCS (fetal calf serum) 0.5% saponin, and stained, e.g. with mouse antibody 4G2. Cells may then be incubated with a goat anti-mouse IgG conjugated to a dye, such as Alexa Fluor488 and analyzed by flow cytometry. Alternatively, viable cells may be detected by flow cytometry using for example the WST-1 reagent (Roche). A preferred ZIKV strain to be used in such a neutralization assay is ZIKV H/PF/201 3. The antibody and antigen binding fragment of the invention have high neutralizing potency. The concentration of the antibody required for 50% neutralization of Zika virus (ICso) as compared to no-antibody controls, is, for example, up to about 3 pg/ml or up to about 1 pg/ml. Preferably, the concentration of the antibody of the invention required for 50% neutralization of ZIKV (ICso) is up to about 500 ng/ml, more preferably the concentration of the antibody of the invention required for 50% neutralization of ZIKV (ICso) is up to about 250 ng/ml, even more preferably the concentration of the antibody of the invention required for 50% neutralization of ZIKV (ICso) is up to about 150 ng/ml. Most preferably, the concentration of the antibody of the invention required for 50% neutralization of ZIKV (ICso) is about 1 00 ng/ml or less, e.g. about 90 ng/ml or less, about 80 ng/ml or less, about 70 ng/ml or less, about 60 ng/ml or less, about 50 ng/ml or less, about 45 ng/ml or less, about 40 ng/ml or less, about 35 ng/ml or less, about 30 ng/ml or less, about 25 ng/ml or less, about 20 ng/ml or less or, particularly preferably, about 1 5 ng/ml or less. In particular, the concentration of the antibody of the invention required for 50% neutralization of ZIKV (IC50) is preferably about 50 ng/ml or less. This means that only low concentrations of the antibody are required for 50% neutralization of ZIKV. The concentration of the antibody of the invention required for 50% neutralization of ZIKV (IC ₅₀ ) can be measured using standard neutralization assays as known to one of ski ll in the art or, in particular, as described above.

In general, binding of an antibody may be assessed by use of a standard ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), which is well-known to the ski lled person. An exemplary standard ELISA may be performed as follows: ELISA plates may be coated (e.g., overnight at 4°C) with a sufficient amount (e.g., 1 μg/ml) of the protein/complex/particle to which binding of the antibody is to be tested (for example, for DENV binding as outlined below, DENV E proteins and/or DENV VLPs are used), e.g. in PBS. Plates may then be blocked, e.g. with a 1 % w/v solution of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) in PBS, and incubated with the antibody to be tested (e.g. for about 1 .5 hours at room temperature). After washing, antibody binding can be revealed, e.g. using goat anti-human IgG coupled to alkaline phosphatase. Plates may then be washed, the required substrate (e.g., p-NPP) may be added and plates may be read, e.g. at 405 nm. The relative affinities of antibody binding may be determined by measuring the concentration of mAb (EC50) required to achieve 50% maximal binding at saturation. The EC50 values may be calculated by interpolation of binding curves fitted with a four-parameter nonlinear regression with a variable slope.

Preferably, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention does essentially not bind to Dengue virus-like particles and/or to Dengue envelope protein. More preferably, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention does essentially not bind to Dengue virus-like particles and/or to Dengue envelope protein of any of the four DENV serotypes DENV1 , DENV2, DENV3 and DENV4. Thereby "essential ly not binding" means that for the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, no ECso-value up to 10 ² ng/ml, preferably up to 1 0 ³ ng/ml, more preferably up to 5*1 0 ³ ng/ml, even more preferably up to 8*10 ³ ng/ml, and most preferably up to 10 ⁴ ng/ml can be determined in a standard ELISA to Dengue virus-like particles (DENV VLP) and/or to Dengue envelope protein (DENV E protein). In other words, the concentration of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, required to achieve 50% maximal binding at saturation (EC ₅ o) to Dengue virus-like particles (DENV VLP) and/or to Dengue envelope protein (DENV E protein) in a standard ELISA is typically more than 1 0 ² ng/ml, preferably more than 1 0 ³ ng/ml, more preferably more than 5*1 0 ³ ng/ml, even more preferably more than 8*10 ³ ng/ml, and most preferably more than 10 ⁴ ng/ml.

Preferably, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention does not contribute to antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of Zika virus infection. More preferably, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention blocks antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of Zika virus infection.

ADE may be assessed by a flow-cytometry based assay using, for example cultured cells or cell lines, such as K562 cells. For example, the antibodies to be tested and ZIKV may be mixed for 1 hour at 37°C and added to 5000 K562 cells/well. After four days, cells may be fixed, permeabilized, and stained with m4G2, e.g. as described above for neutralization assays. The number of infected cells was determined by flow cytometry, as described above for neutralization assays.

Preferably, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention is a human antibody. It is also preferred that the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention is a monoclonal antibody, preferably a human monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, it is also preferred that the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention is a recombi nant antibody. Preferably, the antibody according to the present invention, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises an Fc moiety. More preferably, the Fc moiety is derived from human origin, e.g. from human !gG1 , lgC2, lgG3, and/or lgG4, whereby human lgG1 is particularly preferred. As used herein, the term "Fc moiety" refers to a sequence derived from the portion of an immunoglobulin heavy chain beginning in the hinge region just upstream of the papain cleavage site (e.g., residue 21 6 in native IgG, taking the first residue of heavy chain constant region to be 1 14) and ending at the C-terminus of the immunoglobulin heavy chain. Accordingly, an Fc moiety may be a complete Fc moiety or a portion (e.g., a domain) thereof. A complete Fc moiety comprises at least a hinge domain, a CH2 domain, and a CH3 domain (e.g., EU amino acid positions 21 6-446). An additional lysine residue (K) is sometimes present at the extreme C-terminus of the Fc moiety, but is often cleaved from a mature antibody. Each of the amino acid positions within an Fc moiety have been numbered according to the art- recognized EU numbering system of Kabat, see e.g., by Kabat et al., in "Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest", U.S. Dept. Health and Human Services, 1 983 and 1 987. Preferably, in the context of the present invention an Fc moiety comprises at least one of: a hinge (e.g., upper, middle, and/or lower hinge region) domain, a CH2 domain, a CH3 domain, or a variant, portion, or fragment thereof. In preferred embodiments, an Fc moiety comprises at least a hinge domain, a CH2 domain or a CH3 domain. More preferably, the Fc moiety is a complete Fc moiety. The Fc moiety may also comprises one or more amino acid insertions, deletions, or substitutions relative to a naturally-occurring Fc moiety. For example, at least one of a hinge domain, CH2 domain or CH3 domain (or portion thereof) may be deleted. For example, an Fc moiety may comprise or consist of: (i) hinge domain (or portion thereof) fused to a CH2 domain (or portion thereof), (ii) a hinge domain (or portion thereof) fused to a CH3 domain (or portion thereof), (iii) a CH2 domain (or portion thereof) fused to a CH3 domain (or portion thereof), (iv) a hinge domain (or portion thereof), (v) a CH2 domain (or portion thereof), or (vi) a CH3 domain or portion thereof.

It wi ll be understood by one of ordinary ski ll in the art that the Fc moiety may be modified such that it varies in amino acid sequence from the complete Fc moiety of a naturally occurring immunoglobulin molecule, while retaining at least one desirable function conferred by the naturally-occurring Fc moiety. Such functions include Fc receptor (FcR) binding, antibody half-life modulation, ADCC function, protein A binding, protein G binding, and complement binding. The portions of naturally occurring Fc moieties, which are responsible and/or essential for such functions are well known by those skilled in the art.

For example, to activate the complement cascade C1 q binds to at least two molecules of lgG1 or one molecule of IgM, attached to the antigenic target (Ward, E. S., and Ghetie, V., Ther. Immunol. 2 (1 995) 77-94). Burton, D. R., described (/Wo/. Immunol. 22 (1 985) 1 61 -206) that the heavy chain region comprising amino acid residues 31 8 to 337 is involved in complement fixation. Duncan, A. R., and Winter, G. (Nature 332 (1 988) 738-740), using site directed mutagenesis, reported that Glu31 8, Lys320 and Lys322 form the binding site to CI q. The role of Glu31 8, Lys320 and Lys 322 residues in the binding of C1 q was confirmed by the abi lity of a short synthetic peptide containing these residues to inhibit complement mediated lysis.

For example, FcR binding can be mediated by the interaction of the Fc moiety (of an antibody) with Fc receptors (FcRs), which are specialized cell surface receptors on hematopoietic cells. Fc receptors belong to the immunoglobulin superfamily, and were shown to mediate both the removal of antibody-coated pathogens by phagocytosis of immune complexes, and the lysis of erythrocytes and various other cellular targets (e.g. tumor cells) coated with the corresponding antibody, via antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC; Van de Winkel, J. G., and Anderson, C. L, / Leukoc. Biol. 49 (1 991 ) 51 1 -524). FcRs are defined by their specificity for immunoglobulin classes; Fc receptors for IgG antibodies are referred to as FcyR, for IgE as FcsR, for IgA as FcaR and so on and neonatal Fc receptors are referred to as FcRn. Fc receptor binding is described for example in Ravetch, J. V., and Kinet, J. P., Annu. Rev. Immunol. 9 (1 991 ) 457-492; Capel, P. J., et al., Immunomethods 4 (1 994) 25-34; de Haas, M., et al.JLab. Clin. Med 126 (1 995) 330-341 ; and Gessner, J. E., et al., Ann. Hematol. 76 (1 998) 231 -248.

Cross-linking of receptors by the Fc domain of native IgG antibodies (FcyR) triggers a wide variety of effector functions including phagocytosis, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and release of inflammatory mediators, as well as immune complex clearance and regulation of antibody production. Therefore, Fc moieties providing cross-linking of receptors (FcyR) are preferred. In humans, three classes of FcyR have been characterized, which are: (i) FcyRI (CD64), which binds monomeric IgG with high affinity and is expressed on macrophages, monocytes, neutrophi ls and eosinophils; (ii) FcyRII (CD32), which binds complexed IgG with medium to low affinity, is widely expressed, in particular on leukocytes, is known to be a central player in antibody-mediated immunity, and which can be divided into FcyRIIA, FcyRIIB and FcyRIIC, which perform different functions in the immune system, but bind with similar low affinity to the IgG-Fc, and the ectodomains of these receptors are highly homologuous; and (iii) FcyRlll (CD1 6), which binds IgG with medium to low affinity and exists as two types: FcyRIIIA found on NK cells, macrophages, eosinophils and some monocytes and T cells and mediating ADCC and FcyRIIIB, which is highly expressed on neutrophils. FcyRIIA is found on many cells involved in killing (e.g. macrophages, monocytes, neutrophils) and seems able to activate the killing process. FcyRIIB seems to play a role in inhibitory processes and is found on B-cells, macrophages and on mast cells and eosinophils. Importantly, 75% of all FcyRIIB is found in the liver (Ganesan, L. P. et al., 2012: FcyRIIb on liver sinusoidal endothelium clears small immune complexes. Journal of Immunology 1 89: 4981 -4988). FcyRIIB is abundantly expressed on Liver Sinusoidal Endothelium, called LSEC, and in Kupffer cells in the liver and LSEC are the major site of small immune complexes clearance (Ganesan, L. P. et al., 201 2: FcyRIIb on liver sinusoidal endothelium clears small immune complexes. Journal of Immunology 1 89: 4981 -4988).

Accordingly, in the present invention such antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof, are preferred, which are able to bind to FcyRIIb, for example antibodies comprising an Fc moiety for binding to FcyRIIb, in particular an Fc region, such as, for example IgG-type antibodies. Moreover, it is possible to engineer the Fc moiety to enhance FcyRIIB binding by introducing the mutations S267E and L328F as described by Chu, S. Y. et al., 2008: Inhibition of B cell receptor-mediated activation of primary human B cells by coengagement of CD1 9 and FcgammaRllb with Fc-engineered antibodies. Molecular Immunology 45, 3926-3933. Thereby, the clearance of immune complexes can be enhanced (Chu, S., et al., 2014: Accelerated Clearance of IgE In Chimpanzees Is Mediated By Xmab71 95, An Fc-Engineered Antibody With Enhanced Affinity For Inhibitory Receptor FcyRIIb. Am J Respir Crit, American Thoracic Society International Conference Abstracts). Accordingly, in the context of the present invention such antibodies, or antigen binding fragments thereof, are preferred, which comprise an engineered Fc moiety with the mutations S267E and L328F, in particular as described by Chu, S. Y. et al., 2008: Inhibition of B cell receptor-mediated activation of primary human B cells by coengagement of CD1 9 and FcgammaRllb with Fc-engineered antibodies. Molecular Immunology 45, 3926-3933.

On B-cel ls it seems to function to suppress further immunoglobulin production and isotype switching to say for example the IgE class. On macrophages, FcyRIIB acts to inhibit phagocytosis as mediated through FcyRIIA. On eosinophils and mast cells the b form may help to suppress activation of these cells through IgE binding to its separate receptor.

Regarding FcyRI binding, modification in native IgG of at least one of E233-G236, P238, D265, N297, A327 and P329 reduces binding to FcyRI. lgG2 residues at positions 233-236, substituted into IgGI and lgG4, reduces binding to FcyRI by 1 0 ³ -fold and eliminated the human monocyte response to antibody-sensitized red blood cells (Armour, K. L, et al. Eur. J. Immunol. 29 (1 999) 2613-2624). Regarding FcyRII binding, reduced binding for FcyRIIA is found e.g. for IgG mutation of at least one of E233-G236, P238, D265, N297, A327, P329, D270, Q295, A327, R292 and K414. Regarding FcyRIII binding, reduced binding to FcyRIIIA is found e.g. for mutation of at least one of E233-G236, P238, D265, N297, A327, P329, D270, Q295, A327, S239, E269, E293, Y296, V303, A327, K338 and D376. Mapping of the binding sites on human IgGI for Fc receptors, the above mentioned mutation sites and methods for measuring binding to FcyRI and FcyRIIA are described in Shields, R. L, et al., / Biol. Chem. 276 (2001 ) 6591 -6604.

Regarding binding to the crucial FcyRII, two regions of native IgG Fc appear to be critical for interactions of FcyRlls and IgGs, namely (i) the lower hinge site of IgG Fc, in particular amino acid residues L, L, G, G (234 - 237, EU numbering), and (ii) the adjacent region of the CH2 domain of IgG Fc, in particular a loop and strands in the upper CH2 domain adjacent to the lower hinge region, e.g. in a region of P331 (Wines, B.D., et al., J. Immunol. 2000; 1 64: 5313 - 531 8). Moreover, FcyRI appears to bind to the same site on IgG Fc, whereas FcRn and Protein A bind to a different site on IgG Fc, which appears to be at the CH2-CH3 interface (Wines, B.D., et al., J. Immunol. 2000; 1 64: 531 3 - 531 8).

For example, the Fc moiety may comprise or consist of at least the portion of an Fc moiety that is known in the art to be required for FcRn binding or extended half-life. Alternatively or additionally, the Fc moiety of the antibody of the invention comprises at least the portion of known in the art to be required for Protein A binding and/or the Fc moiety of the antibody of the invention comprises at least the portion of an Fc molecule known in the art to be required for protein G binding. Preferably, the retained function is the neutralization of Zika virus infection, which is assumed to be mediated by FcyR binding. Accordingly, a preferred Fc moiety comprises at least the portion known in the art to be required for FcyR binding. As outlined above, a preferred Fc moiety may thus at least comprise (i) the lower hinge site of native IgG Fc, in particular amino acid residues L, L, G, G (234 - 237, EU numbering), and (ii) the adjacent region of the CH2 domain of native IgG Fc, in particular a loop and strands in the upper CH2 domain adjacent to the lower hinge region, e.g. in a region of P331 , for example a region of at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 1 0 consecutive amino acids in the upper CH2 domain of native IgG Fc around P331 , e.g. between amino acids 320 and 340 (EU numbering) of native IgG Fc. Preferably, the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises an Fc region. As used herein, the term "Fc region" refers to the portion of an immunoglobulin formed by two or more Fc moieties of antibody heavy chains. For example, the Fc region may be monomeric or "single-chain" Fc region (i.e., a scFc region). Single chain Fc regions are comprised of Fc moieties linked within a single polypeptide chain (e.g., encoded in a single contiguous nucleic acid sequence). Exemplary scFc regions are disclosed in WO 2008/143954 A2. Preferably, the Fc region is a dimeric Fc region. A "dimeric Fc region" or "dcFc" refers to the dimer formed by the Fc moieties of two separate immunoglobulin heavy chains. The dimeric Fc region may be a homodimer of two identical Fc moieties (e.g., an Fc region of a naturally occurring immunoglobulin) or a heterodimer of two non-identical Fc moieties.

The Fc moieties of the Fc region may be of the same or different class and/or subclass. For example, the Fc moieties may be derived from an immunoglobulin (e.g., a human immunoglobulin) of an lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3 or lgG4 subclass. Preferably, the Fc moieties of Fc region are of the same class and subclass. However, the Fc region (or one or more Fc moieties of an Fc region) may also be chimeric, whereby a chimeric Fc region may comprise Fc moieties derived from different immunoglobulin classes and/or subclasses. For example, at least two of the Fc moieties of a dimeric or single-chain Fc region may be from different immunoglobulin classes and/or subclasses. Additional ly or alternatively, the chimeric Fc regions may comprise one or more chimeric Fc moieties. For example, the chimeric Fc region or moiety may comprise one or more portions derived from an immunoglobulin of a first subclass (e.g., an lgG1 , lgG2, or lgG3 subclass) while the remainder of the Fc region or moiety is of a different subclass. For example, an Fc region or moiety of an Fc polypeptide may comprise a CH2 and/or CH3 domain derived from an immunoglobulin of a first subclass (e.g., an IgGI , lgG2 or lgG4 subclass) and a hinge region from an immunoglobulin of a second subclass (e.g., an lgG3 subclass). For example, the Fc region or moiety may comprise a hinge and/or CH2 domain derived from an immunoglobulin of a first subclass (e.g., an lgG4 subclass) and a CH3 domain from an immunoglobulin of a second subclass (e.g., an IgGI , lgG2, or lgG3 subclass). For example, the chimeric Fc region may comprise an Fc moiety (e.g., a complete Fc moiety) from an immunoglobulin for a first subclass (e.g., an lgG4 subclass) and an Fc moiety from an immunoglobulin of a second subclass (e.g., an IgGI , lgG2 or lgG3 subclass). For example, the Fc region or moiety may comprise a CH2 domain from an lgG4 immunoglobulin and a CH3 domain from an IgGI immunoglobulin. For example, the Fc region or moiety may comprise a CHI domain and a CH2 domain from an lgG4 molecule and a CH3 domain from an IgGI molecule. For example, the Fc region or moiety may comprise a portion of a CH2 domain from a particular subclass of antibody, e.g., EU positions 292-340 of a CH2 domain. For example, an Fc region or moiety may comprise amino acids a positions 292-340 of CH2 derived from an IgG4 moiety and the remainder of CH2 derived from an IgGI moiety (alternatively, 292-340 of CH2 may be derived from an IgGI moiety and the remainder of CH2 derived from an lgG4 moiety). Moreover, an Fc region or moiety may (additionally or alternatively) for example comprise a chimeric hinge region. For example, the chimeric hinge may be derived, e.g. in part, from an IgGI , lgG2, or lgG4 molecule (e.g., an upper and lower middle hinge sequence) and, in part, from an lgG3 molecule (e.g., an middle hinge sequence). In another example, an Fc region or moiety may comprise a chimeric hinge derived, in part, from an IgGI molecule and, in part, from an lgG4 molecule. In another example, the chimeric hinge may comprise upper and lower hinge domains from an lgG4 molecule and a middle hinge domain from an IgGI molecule. Such a chimeric hinge may be made, for example, by introducing a proline substitution (Ser228Pro) at EU position 228 in the middle hinge domain of an lgG4 hinge region. In another embodiment, the chimeric hinge can comprise amino acids at EU positions 233-236 are from an lgG2 antibody and/or the Ser228Pro mutation, wherein the remaining amino acids of the hinge are from an lgG4 antibody (e.g., a chimeric hinge of the sequence ESKYGPPCPPCPAPPVAGP). Further chimeric hinges, which may be used in the Fc moiety of the antibody according to the present invention are described in US 2005/01 63783 A1 .

In the present invention it is preferred that the Fc moiety, or the Fc region, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence derived from a human immunoglobulin sequence (e.g., from an Fc region or Fc moiety from a human IgG molecule). However, polypeptides may comprise one or more amino acids from another mammalian species. For example, a primate Fc moiety or a primate binding site may be included in the subject polypeptides. Alternatively, one or more murine amino acids may be present in the Fc moiety or in the Fc region.

Preferably, the antibody according to the present invention comprises, in particular in addition to an Fc moiety as described above, other parts derived from a constant region, in particular from a constant region of IgG, preferably from a constant region of IgGI , more preferably from a constant region of human IgGI . More preferably, the antibody according to the present invention comprises, in particular in addition to an Fc moiety as described above, al l other parts of the constant regions, in particular al l other parts of the constant regions of IgG, preferably all other parts of the constant regions of IgGI , more preferably all other parts of the constant regions of human IgGI . Particularly preferred sequences of constant regions are the amino acid sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 145 - 148 (nucleic acid sequences according to SEQ ID NOs: 149 - 152). Preferably, the amino acid sequence of IgGI CH1 -CH2-CH3 is according to SEQ ID NO: 145 or a functional sequence variant thereof, as described herein. Even more preferably, the amino acid sequence of IgGI CH1 -CH2-CH3 is according to SEQ ID NO: 146 or a functional sequence variant thereof, as described herein, wherein the "LALA" mutation is maintained.

As outlined above, a particularly preferred antibody according to the present invention comprises a (complete) Fc region derived from human IgGI . More preferably, the antibody according to the present invention comprises, in particular in addition to a (complete) Fc region derived from human IgGI also al l other parts of the constant regions of IgG, preferably al l other parts of the constant regions of IgGI , more preferably all other parts of the constant regions of human IgGI . Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of Zika virus infection is brought about by the binding of the Fc moiety of the antibody, in particular, the Fc moiety of the heavy chain of an IgG molecule, to an Fc receptor, e.g., an Fey receptor on a host cel l. It is thus preferred that the antibody according to the present invention, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises one or more mutations in the Fc moiety. The mutation(s) may be any mutation that reduces binding of the antibody to an Fc receptor (FcR), in particular reduces binding of the antibody to an Fey receptor (FcyR). On the other hand, it is preferred that the antibody according to the present invention comprises a (complete) Fc moiety/Fc region, wherein the interaction/binding with FcRn is not compromised. Accordingly, it is particularly preferred that the antibody according to the present invention, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises one or more mutations in the Fc moiety, which (i) reduce(s) binding of the antibody to an Fey receptor, but do(es) not compromise interaction with FcRn. One example of such a mutation is the "LALA" mutation described below.

In general, binding of the antibody to an Fc receptor may be assessed by various methods known to the skilled person, such as ELISA (Hessell AJ, Hangartner L, Hunter M, Havenith CEG, Beurskens FJ, Bakker JM, Lanigan CMS, Landucci G, Forthal DN, Parren PWHI, et al.: Fc receptor but not complement binding is important in antibody protection against HIV. Nature 2007, 449:1 01 -104; Grevys A, Bern M, Foss S, Bratlie DB, Moen A, Gunnarsen KS, Aase A, Michaelsen TE, Sandlie I, Andersen JT: Fc Engineering of Human lgG1 for Altered Binding to the Neonatal Fc Receptor Affects Fc Effector Functions. 2015, 1 94:5497-5508) or flow-cytometry (Perez LG, Costa MR, Todd CA, Haynes BF, Montefiori DC: Utilization of immunoglobulin G Fc receptors by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 : a specific role for antibodies against the membrane-proximal external region of gp41 . J Virol 2009, 83:7397- 741 0; Piccoli L, Campo I, Fregni CS, Rodriguez BMF, Minola A, Sallusto F, Luisetti M, Corti D, Lanzavecchia A: Neutralization and clearance of GM-CSF by autoantibodies in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Nat Commun 201 5, 6:1 -9).

In general, the antibody according to the present invention may be glycosylated. N-linked glycans attached to the CH2 domain of a heavy chain, for instance, can influence C1 q and FcR binding, with aglycosylated antibodies having lower affinity for these receptors. Accordingly, the CH2 domain of the Fc moiety of the antibody according to the present invention may comprise one or more mutations, in which a glycosylated residue is substituted by a non-glycosylated residue. The glycan structure can also affect activity e.g. differences in complement-mediated cell death may be seen depending on the number of galactose sugars (0, 1 or 2) at the terminus of a glycan' s biantennary chain. Preferably, the antibody's glycans do not lead to a human immunogenic response after administration.

Furthermore, the antibody according to the present invention can be modified by introducing random amino acid mutations into particular region of the CH2 or CH3 domain of the heavy chain in order to alter their binding affinity for FcR and/or their serum half-life in comparison to unmodified antibodies. Examples of such modifications include, but are not limited to, substitutions of at least one amino acid from the heavy chain constant region selected from the group consisting of amino acid residues 250, 314, and 428.

Particularly preferably, the Fc moiety of an antibody of the invention comprises a substitution at positions CH2 4, CH2 5, or both. In general, the amino acid at positions 4 and 5 of CH2 of the wild-type IgGl and lgG3 is a leucine ("L"). Preferably, the antibody according to the present invention comprises an amino acid at position CH2 4, CH2 5, or both, that is not an L. More preferably, antibody according to the present invention comprises an alanine ("A") at position CH2 4, or CH2 5, or both. Most preferably, the antibody according to the present invention comprises both, a CH2 L4A and a CH2 L5A substitution. Such antibodies are referred to herein as a "LALA" variant. Interestingly, such a "LALA" mutation in the Fc moiety does not only result in a lack of contribution of the respective antibody in antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of Zika virus infection, but also blocks antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of Zika virus infection. An exemplary amino acid sequence of IgGl CH 1 -CH2-CH3 comprising the "LALA" mutation is according to SEQ ID NO: 146. Accordingly, the amino acid sequence of lgG1 CH 1 -CH2-CH3 is preferably according to SEQ ID NO: 146 or a functional sequence variant thereof, as described herein, wherein the "LALA" mutation is maintained. Preferably, the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, binds to domain III of Zika virus envelope protein (EDIII). ZIKV includes a nucleocapsid core, which comprising single- stranded RNA wrapped by core proteins. The nucleocapsid core is encapsulated by a lipid bi layer membrane with "membrane proteins" and "envelope proteins". ZIKV envelope protein (E protein) is the dominant antigen. The ectodomain of the envelope protein comprises three distinct domains: E protein domain I (EDI), E protein domain II (EDII), and E protein domain III (EDIII). EDIII is highly conserved among different ZIKV strains (see Figure 12 for an alignment of amino acid sequences of EDIII of different ZIKV strains. Accordingly, the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, more preferably binds to domain III of Zika virus envelope protein (EDIII) with EDIII having the following amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 401 ):

TAAFTFTKXPAEXXHCTVTVEXQYXGXDGPCKXPXQMAVDXQTLTPVGRLITANPVI TEXTENS KMMLELDPPFGDSYIVIGXGXKKITHHWHRS wherein X may be any (naturally occurring) amino acid.

For example, EDIII stretches from amino acid 309 to amino acid 403 of ZIKV E protein of the ZIKV H/PF/201 3 strain (Genbank accession number KJ776791 ). Accordingly, the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, most preferably binds to domain III of Zika virus envelope protein (EDIII) with EDIII having the following amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 402): TAAFTFTKIPAETLHGTVTVEVQYAGTDGPCKVPAQMAVDMQTLTPVGRLITANPVITES TENS KMMLELDPPFGDSYIVIGVGEKKITHHWHRS.

Surprisingly, the present inventors have found that antibodies binding to domain III of Zika virus envelope protein (EDIII) show (i) increased neutralization of ZIKV and (ii) decreased cross-reactivity with DENV (in particular essentially no cross-reactivity with DENV) as compared to antibodies binding to domain l/ll of Zika virus envelope protein (EDI/II). It is also preferred that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, binds to a quaternary epitope displayed on a ZIKV infectious virion. Despite considerable neutralizing activity, such antibodies show typically no detectable binding to recombinant ZIKV E protein or to ZIKV EDM in a standard ELISA (as described above), i.e. if tested in vitro, in particular in purified form (i.e. ZIKV E protein "outside/without" a virion, a virus-like particle or the like). Thereby, "no detectable binding" typically means that no EC ₅₀ up to 1 0000 ng/ml was detected in a standard ELISA. In other words, if the EC ₅₀ detectable in a standard ELISA is above 1 0000 ng/ml, it is referred to as "no detectable binding". Therefore, such antibodies are also referred to herein as "neutralizing-non-E-binding" (NNB) antibodies. The quaternary epitope displayed on a ZIKV infectious virion is typically a conformational epitope. For example, the quaternary epitope displayed on a ZIKV infectious virion may be formed at the interface of two envelope protein monomers making up a dimer ("envelope dimer epitope"; EDE) or it may be formed across neighbouring dimers ("herring- bone epitope").

In general, the antibody according to the present invention, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, preferably comprises (at least) three complementarity determining regions (CDRs) on a heavy chain and (at least) three CDRs on a light chain. In general, complementarity determining regions (CDRs) are the hypervariable regions present in heavy chain variable domains and light chain variable domains. Typically, the CDRs of a heavy chain and the connected light chain of an antibody together form the antigen receptor. Usually, the three CDRs (CDR1 , CDR2, and CDR3) are arranged non-consecutively in the variable domain. Since antigen receptors are typically composed of two variable domains (on two different polypeptide chains, i.e. heavy and light chain), there are six CDRs for each antigen receptor (heavy chain: CDRH1 , CDRH2, and CDRH3; light chain: CDRL1 , CDRL2, and CDRL3). A single antibody molecule usually has two antigen receptors and therefore contains twelve CDRs. The CDRs on the heavy and/or light chain may be separated by framework regions, whereby a framework region (FR) is a region in the variable domain which is less "variable" than the CDR. For example, a chain (or each chain, respectively) may be composed of four framework regions, separated by three CDR's. The sequences of the heavy chains and light chains of exemplary antibodies of the invention, comprising three different CDRs on the heavy chain and three different CDRs on the light chain were determined. The position of the CDR amino acids are defined according to the IMGT numbering system (IMGT: http://www.imgt.org/; cf. Lefranc, M.-P. et al. (2009) Nucleic Acids Res. 37, D1 006-D1 012).

Table 1 shows the SEQ ID NO's of the amino acid sequences of the heavy chain CDR's (CDRH1 , CDRH2, and CDRH3) and of the heavy chain variable region (referred to as "VH") of exemplary antibodies according to the present invention:

Table 2 below shows the SEQ ID NO's of the amino acid sequences of the light chain CDR's (CDRL1 , CDRL2, and CDRL3) and of the light chain variable region (referred to as "VL") of exemplary antibodies according to the present invention:

It is thus preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises amino acid sequences having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% identity to at least one of the CDR sequences, the VH sequence and/or the VL sequence shown in Table 1 and/or in Table 2.

It is preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 75, 39, 21 , 57, 239, 243, 247, 251 , 255, 259, 263, 267, 271 , 275, 279, 283, 287, 291 , 295, 299, 303, 307, 31 1 , 31 5, 31 9, 323, 327, 331 , 335, 339, 343, 347, 351 , 355, 359, 363, 367, 371 , 375, 379, 383, 387, 391 , 395, and 399, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity. More preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 21 , 39, 57 and 75 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity. More preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 21 , 39 and 75 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity. Even more preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 3 or according to SEQ ID NO: 75; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity. It is also preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 21 or according to SEQ ID NO: 39; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity. Most preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH 1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 3 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity. More preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 1 , 1 9, 37, 55, 73, 237, 241 , 245, 249, 253, 257, 261 , 265, 269,

273, 277, 281 , 285, 289, 293, 297, 301 , 305, 309, 31 3, 31 7, 321 , 325, 329, 333, 337, 341 , 345, 349, 353, 357, 361 , 365, 369, 373, 377, 381 , 385, 389, 393, and 397, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 20, 38, 56, 74, 238, 242, 246, 250, 254, 258, 262, 266, 270, 274, 278, 282, 286, 290, 294, 298, 302, 306, 310, 31 4, 31 8, 322, 326, 330, 334, 338, 342, 346, 350, 354, 358, 362, 366, 370, 374, 378, 382, 386, 390, 394, and 398, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 21 , 39, 57, 75, 239, 243, 247, 251 , 255, 259, 263, 267, 271 , 275, 279, 283, 287, 291 , 295, 299, 303, 307, 31 1 , 31 5, 31 9, 323, 327, 331 , 335,

339, 343, 347, 351 , 355, 359, 363, 367, 371 , 375, 379, 383, 387, 391 , 395, and 399, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Still more preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 1 , 1 9, 37, 55 and 73 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 20, 38, 56 and 74 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 21 , 39, 57 and 75 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Even more preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 1 , 1 9, 37 and 73 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 20, 38 and 74 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 21 , 39 and 75 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Most preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH 1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or according to SEQ ID NO: 73; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:

2 or according to SEQ ID NO: 74; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 3 or according to SEQ ID NO: 75; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

It is also preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH 1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 9 or according to SEQ ID NO: 37; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:

20 or according to SEQ ID NO: 38; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least

92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 21 or according to SEQ ID NO: 39; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Particularly preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH 1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:

2 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 3 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

It is also preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one CDRL1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 4, 22, 40, 58 and 76 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRL2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 5, 6, 23, 24, 41 , 42, 59, 60, 77 and 78 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one CDRL3 amino comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 7, 25, 43, 61 and 79 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

More preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH 1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one CDRL1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 4, 22, 40 and 76 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRL2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 5, 6, 23, 24, 41 , 42, 77 and 78 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one CDRL3 amino comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 7, 25, 43 and 79 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Even more preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one CDRL1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:

4 or according to SEQ ID NO: 76; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRL2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 5, 6, 77 and 78 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one CDRL3 amino comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 7 or according to SEQ ID NO: 79; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

It is also preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one CDRL1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:

22 or according to SEQ ID NO: 40; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRL2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 23, 24, 41 and 42 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one CDRL3 amino comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 25 or according to SEQ ID NO: 43; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Most preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one CDRL1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:

4 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRL2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:

5 or 6, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one CDRL3 amino comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 7 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises CDRH 1 , CDRH2, and CDRH3 amino acid sequences (i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 - 3; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 9 - 21 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 37 - 39; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 55 - 57; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (v) according to SEQ ID NOs: 73 - 75; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (vi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 237 - 239; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (vii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 241 - 243; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (viii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 245 - 247; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ix) according to SEQ ID NOs: 249 - 251 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (x) according to SEQ ID NOs: 253 - 255; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 257 - 259; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 261 - 263; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xi ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 265 - 267; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xiv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 269 - 271 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 273 - 275; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xvi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 277 - 279; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xvii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 281 - 283; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xviii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 285 - 287; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xix) according to SEQ ID NOs: 289 - 291 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xx) according to SEQ ID NOs: 293 - 295; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 297 - 299; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 301 - 303; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxiii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 305 - 307; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxiv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 309 - 31 1 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 31 3 - 315; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxvi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 31 7 - 319; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxvii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 321 - 323; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxvii i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 325 - 327; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxix) according to SEQ ID NOs: 329 - 331 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxx) according to SEQ ID NOs: 333 - 335; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 337 - 339; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 341 - 343; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxii i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 345 - 347; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxiv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 349 - 351 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 353 - 355; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxvi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 357 - 359; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxvii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 361 - 363; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxviii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 365 - 367; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxix) according to SEQ ID NOs: 369 - 371 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xl) according to SEQ ID NOs: 373 - 375; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xli) according to SEQ ID NOs: 377 - 379; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xlii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 381 - 383; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xliii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 385 - 387; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xliv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 389 - 391 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xlv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 393 - 395; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (xlvi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 397 - 399; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Accordingly, it is also preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises CDRH1 , CDRH2, and CDRH3 amino acid sequences and CDRL1 , CDRL2, and CDRL3 amino acid sequences (i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 - 5 and 7; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 - 4 and 6 - 7; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 9 - 23 and 25; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 9 - 22 and 24 - 25; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (v) according to SEQ ID NOs: 37 - 41 and 43; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (vi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 37 - 40 and 42 - 43; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (vii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 55 - 59 and 61 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (viii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 55 - 58 and 60 - 61 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ix) according to SEQ ID NOs: 73 - 77 and 79; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (x) according to SEQ ID NOs: 73 - 76 and 78 - 79; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity. More preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises CDRH1 , CDRH2, and CDRH3 amino acid sequences and CDRL1 , CDRL2, and CDRL3 amino acid sequences (i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 - 5 and 7; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 - 4 and 6 - 7; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 9 - 23 and 25; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 9 - 22 and 24 - 25; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (v) according to SEQ ID NOs: 37 - 41 and 43; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (vi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 37 - 40 and 42 - 43; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;(vii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 73 - 77 and 79; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (viii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 73 - 76 and 78 - 79; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Even more preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises CDRH 1 , CDRH2, and CDRH3 amino acid sequences and CDRL1 , CDRL2, and CDRL3 amino acid sequences (i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 - 5 and 7; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 - 4 and 6 - 7; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 73 - 77 and 79; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (iv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 73 - 76 and 78 - 79; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

It is also preferred that preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises CDRH1 , CDRH2, and CDRH3 amino acid sequences and CDRL1 , CDRL2, and CDRL3 amino acid sequences (i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 9 - 23 and 25; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 9 - 22 and 24 - 25; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 37 - 41 and 43; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (vi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 37 - 40 and 42 - 43; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Most preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises CDRH 1 , CDRH2, and CDRH3 amino acid sequences and CDRL1 , CDRL2, and CDRL3 amino acid sequences (i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 - 5 and 7; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 - 4 and 6 - 7; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

In addition, it is also preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain variable region (VH) and, optionally, a light chain variable region (VL), wherein the heavy chain variable region (VH) comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 8, 26, 44, 62, 80, 240, 244, 248, 252, 256, 260, 264, 268, 272, 276, 280, 284, 288, 292, 296, 300, 304, 308, 312, 31 6, 320, 324, 328, 332, 336, 340, 344, 348, 352, 356, 360, 364, 368, 372, 376, 380, 384, 388, 392, 396, and 400; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Moreover, it is also preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises (i) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 8 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 9 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 26 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 27 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iii) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 44 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 45 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iv) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 62 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 63 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (v) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 80 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 81 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity. More preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises (i) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 8 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 9 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 26 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 27 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iii) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 44 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 45 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (iv) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 80 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 81 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Even more preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises (i) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 8 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 9 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (ii) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 80 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 81 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

It is also preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises (i) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 26 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 27 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (ii) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 44 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 45 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Most preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 8 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 9 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention is gZKA1 90, gZKA64, gZKA230, gZKA1 85 or gZKA78, preferably the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is gZKA1 90, gZKA64, gZKA230 or gZKA1 85, more preferably the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is gZKA1 90 or gZKA64, and most preferably the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is gZKA1 90.

The present inventors have isolated monoclonal antibody (mAb) according to the present invention, which are referred to herein as ZKA1 90, ZKA64, ZKA230, ZKA1 85 and ZKA78 (cf. Tables 1 and 2, Example 1 ). Based on those antibodies, in particular on the VH and VL genes of those antibodies, the terms "gZKA1 90", "gZKA64", "gZKA230", "gZKA1 85" and "gZKA78", as used herein, refer to the respective "generic" antibodies, or antigen binding fragments thereof.

Namely, "gZKA1 90" refers to an antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, having a CDRH 1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 , a CDRH2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2, a CDRH3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 3, a CDRL1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 4, a CDRL2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 5 or 6, and a CDRL3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 7. The heavy chain variable region (VH) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 8 and the light chain variable region (V _L ) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 9.

"gZKA64" refers to an antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, having a CDRH1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 73, a CDRH2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 74, a CDRH3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 75, a CDRL1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 76, a CDRL2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 77 or 78, and a CDRL3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 79. The heavy chain variable region (VH) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 80 and the light chain variable region (V _L ) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 81 . "gZKA230" refers to an antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, having a CDRH1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 37, a CDRH2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 38, a CDRH3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 39, a CDRL1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 40, a CDRL2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 41 or 42, and a CDRL3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 43. The heavy chain variable region (V _H ) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 44 and the light chain variable region (V _L ) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 45.

"gZKA1 85" refers to an antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, having a CDRH 1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 9, a CDRH2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 20, a CDRH3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 21 , a CDRL1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 22, a CDRL2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 23 or 24, and a CDRL3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 25. The heavy chain variable region (V _H ) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 26 and the light chain variable region (V _L ) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 27. "gZKA78" refers to an antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, having a CDRH1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 55, a CDRH2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 56, a CDRH3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 57, a CDRL1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 58, a CDRL2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 59 or 60, and a CDRL3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 61 . The heavy chain variable region (V _H ) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 62 and the light chain variable region (V _L ) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 63. Preferably, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention is for use as a medicament. In other words, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention may be used in the preparation of a medicament. More preferably, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention is for use in the prevention and/or treatment of Zika virus infection. In other words, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention may be used in the preparation of a medicament or use in the prevention and/or treatment of Zika virus infection. This aspect is described in more detail below.

Nucleic acid molecule

In another aspect, the invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide encoding the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention as described above. Examples of nucleic acid molecules and/or polynucleotides include, e.g., a recombinant polynucleotide, a vector, an oligonucleotide, an RNA molecule such as an rRNA, an mRNA, an miRNA, an siRNA, or a tRNA, or a DNA molecule such as a cDNA. Nucleic acid sequences encoding part or all of the light and heavy chains and CDRs of the antibodies of the present invention are preferred. Preferably provided herein are thus nucleic acid sequences encoding part or all of the light and heavy chains, in particular VH and VL sequences and CDRs of the exemplary antibodies of the invention. Tables 1 and 2 provide the SEQ ID numbers for the amino acid sequences of the CDRs and VH and VL of exemplary antibodies according to the present invention. Table 3 below provides the SEQ ID numbers for exemplary nucleic acid sequences encoding the CDRs and VH and VL of exemplary antibodies according to the present invention. Due to the redundancy of the genetic code, the present invention also comprises sequence variants of these nucleic acid sequences and in particular such sequence variants, which encode the same amino acid sequences.

A nucleic acid molecule is a molecule comprising, preferably consisting of nucleic acid components. The term nucleic acid molecule preferably refers to DNA or RNA molecules. In particular, it is used synonymous with the term "polynucleotide". Preferably, a nucleic acid molecule is a polymer comprising or consisting of nucleotide monomers which are covalently linked to each other by phosphodiester-bonds of a sugar/phosphate-backbone. The term "nucleic acid molecule" also encompasses modified nucleic acid molecules, such as base- modified, sugar-modified or backbone-modified etc. DNA or RNA molecules.

Table 3 shows exemplary nucleic acid sequences of the CDR's and the heavy chain variable region (VH) and the light chain variable region (VL) of five exemplary antibodies according to the present invention ("ZKA1 90", "ZKA64", "ZKA230", "ZKA1 85", "ZKA78"):

Preferably, the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule according to the present invention comprises or consists of a nucleic acid sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 0 - 1 8, 28 - 36, 46 - 54, 64 - 72, and 82 - 90; or a functional sequence variant thereof. It is also preferred that nucleic acid sequences according to the invention include nucleic acid sequences having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% identity to the nucleic acid encoding a CDR, a VH sequence and/or a VL sequence used in an (exemplary) antibody according to the present invention, for example to the sequences shown in Table 3.

In general, the nucleic acid molecule may be manipulated to insert, delete or alter certain nucleic acid sequences. Changes from such manipulation include, but are not limited to, changes to introduce restriction sites, to amend codon usage, to add or optimize transcription and/or translation regulatory sequences, etc. It is also possible to change the nucleic acid to alter the encoded amino acids. For example, it may be useful to introduce one or more (e.g., 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.) amino acid substitutions, deletions and/or insertions into the antibody's amino acid sequence. Such point mutations can modify effector functions, antigen-binding affinity, post-translational modifications, immunogenicity, etc., can introduce amino acids for the attachment of covalent groups (e.g., labels) or can introduce tags (e.g., for purification purposes). Mutations can be introduced in specific sites or can be introduced at random, followed by selection (e.g., molecular evolution). For instance, one or more nucleic acids encoding any of the CDR regions, a VH sequence and/or a VL sequence of an (exemplary) antibody of the invention can be randomly or directionally mutated to introduce different properties in the encoded amino acids. Such changes can be the result of an iterative process wherein initial changes are retained and new changes at other nucleotide positions are introduced. Further, changes achieved in independent steps may be combined. Different properties introduced into the encoded amino acids may include, but are not limited to, enhanced affinity.

Vector Further included within the scope of the invention are vectors, for example, expression vectors, comprising a nucleic acid molecule according to the present invention. Preferably, a vector comprises a nucleic acid molecule as described above. The term "vector" refers to a nucleic acid molecule, preferably to a recombinant nucleic acid molecule, i.e. a nucleic acid molecule which does not occur in nature. A vector in the context of the present invention is suitable for incorporating or harboring a desired nucleic acid sequence. Such vectors may be storage vectors, expression vectors, cloning vectors, transfer vectors etc. A storage vector is a vector which allows the convenient storage of a nucleic acid molecule. Thus, the vector may comprise a sequence corresponding, e.g., to a desired antibody or antibody fragment thereof according to the present invention. An expression vector may be used for production of expression products such as RNA, e.g. mRNA, or peptides, polypeptides or proteins. For example, an expression vector may comprise sequences needed for transcription of a sequence stretch of the vector, such as a promoter sequence. A cloning vector is typically a vector that contains a cloning site, which may be used to incorporate nucleic acid sequences into the vector. A cloning vector may be, e.g., a plasmid vector or a bacteriophage vector. A transfer vector may be a vector which is suitable for transferring nucleic acid molecules into cells or organisms, for example, viral vectors. A vector in the context of the present invention may be, e.g., an RNA vector or a DNA vector. Preferably, a vector is a DNA molecule. For example, a vector in the sense of the present application comprises a cloning site, a selection marker, such as an antibiotic resistance factor, and a sequence suitable for multiplication of the vector, such as an origin of replication. Preferably, a vector in the context of the present application is a plasmid vector.

Cells In a further aspect, the present invention also provides cell expressing the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention; and/or comprising the vector according the present invention.

Examples of such cel ls include but are not limited to, eukaryotic cells, e.g., yeast cells, animal cel ls or plant cells. Preferably, the cells are mammalian cells, more preferably a mammalian cell line. Preferred examples include human cells, CHO cells, HEK293T cells, PER.C6 cel ls, NS0 cells, human liver cells, myeloma cells or hybridoma cel ls. In particular, the cell may be transfected with a vector according to the present invention, preferably with an expression vector. The term "transfection" refers to the introduction of nucleic acid molecules, such as DNA or RNA (e.g. mRNA) molecules, into cells, preferably into eukaryotic cells. In the context of the present invention, the term "transfection" encompasses any method known to the ski lled person for introducing nucleic acid molecules into cells, preferably into eukaryotic cel ls, such as into mammalian cells. Such methods encompass, for example, electroporation, lipofection, e.g. based on cationic lipids and/or liposomes, calcium phosphate precipitation, nanoparticle based transfection, virus based transfection, or transfection based on cationic polymers, such as DEAE-dextran or polyethylenimine etc. Preferably, the introduction is non-viral.

Moreover, the cells of the present invention may be transfected stably or transiently with the vector according to the present invention, e.g. for expressing the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention. Preferably, the cells are stably transfected with the vector according to the present invention encoding the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention. Alternatively, it is also preferred that the cells are transiently transfected with the vector according to the present invention encoding the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention.

Optional additional features of the antibodies Antibodies of the invention may be coupled, for example, to a drug for delivery to a treatment site or coupled to a detectable label to faci litate imaging of a site comprising cells of interest. Methods for coupling antibodies to drugs and detectable labels are well known in the art, as are methods for imaging using detectable labels. Labeled antibodies may be employed in a wide variety of assays, employing a wide variety of labels. Detection of the formation of an antibody-antigen complex between an antibody of the invention and an epitope of interest can be facilitated by attaching a detectable substance to the antibody. Suitable detection means include the use of labels such as radionuclides, enzymes, coenzymes, fluorescers, chemiluminescers, chromogens, enzyme substrates or co-factors, enzyme inhibitors, prosthetic group complexes, free radicals, particles, dyes, and the like. Examples of suitable enzymes include horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, β-galactosidase, or acetylcholinesterase; examples of suitable prosthetic group complexes include streptavidin/biotin and avidin/biotin; examples of suitable fluorescent materials include umbelliferone, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, dichlorotriazinylamine fluorescein, dansyl chloride or phycoerythrin; an example of a luminescent material is luminol; examples of bioluminescent materials include luciferase, luciferin, and aequorin; and examples of suitable radioactive material include 1251, 1 31 1, 35S, or 3 H. Such labeled reagents may be used in a variety of well-known assays, such as radioimmunoassays, enzyme immunoassays, e.g., ELISA, fluorescent immunoassays, and the like. Labeled antibodies according to the present invention may be thus be used in such assays for example as described in US 3,766, 1 62; US 3,791 ,932; US 3,81 7,837; and US 4,233,402. An antibody according to the invention may be conjugated to a therapeutic moiety such as a cytotoxin, a therapeutic agent, or a radioactive metal ion or radioisotope. Examples of radioisotopes include, but are not limited to, 1-131 , 1-1 23, 1-125, Y-90, Re-188, Re-1 86, At- 21 1 , Cu-67, Bi-212, Bi-21 3, Pd-109, Tc-99, ln-1 1 1 , and the like. Such antibody conjugates can be used for modifying a given biological response; the drug moiety is not to be construed as limited to classical chemical therapeutic agents. For example, the drug moiety may be a protein or polypeptide possessing a desired biological activity. Such proteins may include, for example, a toxin such as abrin, ricin A, pseudomonas exotoxin, or diphtheria toxin.

Techniques for conjugating such therapeutic moiety to antibodies are well known. See, for example, Arnon et al. (1 985) "Monoclonal Antibodies for Immunotargeting of Drugs in

Cancer Therapy," in Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, ed. Reisfeld et al. (Alan R.

Liss, Inc.), pp. 243-256; ed. Hellstrom et al. (1 987) "Antibodies for Drug Delivery," in

Controlled Drug Delivery, ed. Robinson et al. (2d ed; Marcel Dekker, Inc.), pp. 623-653;

Thorpe (1 985) "Antibody Carriers of Cytotoxic Agents in Cancer Therapy: A Review," in Monoclonal Antibodies '84: Biological and Clinical Applications, ed. Pinchera et al. pp. 475-

506 (Editrice Kurtis, Milano, Italy, 1 985); "Analysis, Results, and Future Prospective of the

Therapeutic Use of Radiolabeled Antibody in Cancer Therapy," in Monoclonal Antibodies for Cancer Detection and Therapy, ed. Baldwin et al. (Academic Press, New York, 1 985), pp. 303-31 6; and Thorpe et al. (1 982) Immunol. Rev. 62:1 1 9-1 58.

Alternatively, an antibody, or antibody fragment thereof, can be conjugated to a second antibody, or antibody fragment thereof, to form an antibody heteroconjugate as described in US 4,676,980. In addition, linkers may be used between the labels and the antibodies of the invention, e.g., as described in US 4,831 , 1 75. Antibodies or, antigen-binding fragments thereof may be directly labeled with radioactive iodine, indium, yttrium, or other radioactive particle known in the art, e.g., as described in US 5,595,721 . Treatment may consist of a combination of treatment with conjugated and non-conjugated antibodies administered simultaneously or subsequently e.g., as described in WO00/52031 ; WO00/52473.

Antibodies of the invention may also be attached to a solid support. Additionally, antibodies of the invention, or functional antibody fragments thereof, can be chemical ly modified by covalent conjugation to a polymer to, for example, increase their circulating half-life. Examples of polymers, and methods to attach them to peptides, are shown in US 4,766, 1 06; US 4,1 79,337; US 4,495,285 and US 4,609,546. In some embodiments the polymers may be selected from polyoxyethylated polyols and polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEG is soluble in water at room temperature and has the general formula: R(0-CH ₂ -CH ₂ )nO-R, wherein R can be hydrogen, or a protective group such as an alkyl or alkanol group. Preferably, the protective group may have between 1 and 8 carbons. For example, the protective group is methyl. The symbol n is a positive integer. In one embodiment n is between 1 and 1 ,000. In another embodiment n is between 2 and 500. Preferably, the PEG has an average molecular weight between 1 ,000 and 40,000, more preferably the PEG has a molecular weight between 2,000 and 20,000, even more preferably the PEG has a molecular weight between 3,000 and 1 2,000. Furthermore, PEG may have at least one hydroxy group, for example the PEG may have a terminal hydroxy group. For example, it is the terminal hydroxy group which is activated to react with a free amino group on the inhibitor. However, it will be understood that the type and amount of the reactive groups may be varied to achieve a covalently conjugated PEG/antibody of the present invention. Water-soluble polyoxyethylated polyols are also useful in the present invention. They include polyoxyethylated sorbitol, polyoxyethylated glucose, polyoxyethylated glycerol (POG), and the like. In one embodiment, POG is used. Without being bound by any theory, because the glycerol backbone of polyoxyethylated glycerol is the same backbone occurring naturally in, for example, animals and humans in mono-, di-, triglycerides, this branching would not necessarily be seen as a foreign agent in the body. POG may have a molecular weight in the same range as PEG. Another drug delivery system that can be used for increasing circulatory half-life is the liposome. Methods of preparing liposome delivery systems are known to one of skill in the art. Other drug delivery systems are known in the art and are described in, for example, referenced in Poznansky et al. (1 980) and Poznansky (1 984).

Antibodies of the invention may be provided in purified form. Typically, the antibody will be present in a composition that is substantially free of other polypeptides e.g., where less than 90% (by weight), usually less than 60% and more usually less than 50% of the composition is made up of other polypeptides.

Antibodies of the invention may be immunogenic in non-human (or heterologous) hosts e.g., in mice. In particular, the antibodies may have an idiotope that is immunogenic in non-human hosts, but not in a human host. In particular, antibodies of the invention for human use include those that cannot be easily isolated from hosts such as mice, goats, rabbits, rats, non-primate mammals, etc. and cannot generally be obtained by humanization or from xeno-mice.

Production of Antibodies

Antibodies according to the invention can be made by any method known in the art. For example, the general methodology for making monoclonal antibodies using hybridoma technology is well known (Kohler, G. and Milstein, C,. 1 975; Kozbar et al. 1 983). In one embodiment, the alternative EBV immortalization method described in WO2004/076677 is used. A preferred method is described in WO 2004/076677. In this method B cells producing the antibody of the invention are transformed with EBV and a polyclonal B cell activator. Additional stimulants of cellular growth and differentiation may optionally be added during the transformation step to further enhance the efficiency. These stimulants may be cytokines such as IL-2 and IL-1 5. In one aspect, IL-2 is added during the immortalization step to further improve the efficiency of immortalization, but its use is not essential. The immortalized B cells produced using these methods can then be cultured using methods known in the art and antibodies isolated therefrom. Another preferred method is described in WO 201 0/046775. In this method plasma cel ls are cultured in limited numbers, or as single plasma cells in microwell culture plates. Antibodies can be isolated from the plasma cell cultures. Further, from the plasma cell cultures, RNA can be extracted and PCR can be performed using methods known in the art. The VH and VL regions of the antibodies can be amplified by RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase PCR), sequenced and cloned into an expression vector that is then transfected into HEK293T cells or other host cells. The cloning of nucleic acid in expression vectors, the transfection of host cells, the culture of the transfected host cells and the isolation of the produced antibody can be done using any methods known to one of skill in the art. The antibodies may be further purified, if desired, using filtration, centrifugation and various chromatographic methods such as HPLC or affinity chromatography. Techniques for purification of antibodies, e.g., monoclonal antibodies, including techniques for producing pharmaceutical-grade antibodies, are well known in the art. Fragments of the antibodies of the invention can be obtained from the antibodies by methods that include digestion with enzymes, such as pepsin or papain, and/or by cleavage of disulfide bonds by chemical reduction. Alternatively, fragments of the antibodies can be obtained by cloning and expression of part of the sequences of the heavy or light chains. Antibody "fragments" include Fab, Fab', F(ab')2 and Fv fragments. The invention also encompasses single-chain Fv fragments (scFv) derived from the heavy and light chains of an antibody of the invention. For example, the invention includes a scFv comprising the CDRs from an antibody of the invention. Also included are heavy or light chain monomers and dimers, single domain heavy chain antibodies, single domain light chain antibodies, as well as single chain antibodies, e.g., single chain Fv in which the heavy and light chain variable domains are joined by a peptide linker. Antibody fragments of the invention may impart monovalent or multivalent interactions and be contained in a variety of structures as described above. For instance, scFv molecules may be synthesized to create a trivalent "triabody" or a tetravalent "tetrabody." The scFv molecules may include a domain of the Fc region resulting in bivalent minibodies. In addition, the sequences of the invention may be a component of multispecific molecules in which the sequences of the invention target the epitopes of the invention and other regions of the molecule bind to other targets. Exemplary molecules include, but are not limited to, bispecific Fab2, trispecific Fab3, bispecific scFv, and diabodies (Holliger and Hudson, 2005, Nature Biotechnology 9: 1 126-1 1 36). Standard techniques of molecular biology may be used to prepare DNA sequences encoding the antibodies or antibody fragments of the present invention. Desired DNA sequences may be synthesized completely or in part using oligonucleotide synthesis techniques. Site-directed mutagenesis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques may be used as appropriate. Any suitable host cell/vector system may be used for expression of the DNA sequences encoding the antibody molecules of the present invention or fragments thereof. Bacterial, for example E. coli, and other microbial systems may be used, in part, for expression of antibody fragments such as Fab and F(ab')2 fragments, and especially Fv fragments and single chain antibody fragments, for example, single chain Fvs. Eukaryotic, e.g., mammalian, host cell expression systems may be used for production of larger antibody molecules, including complete antibody molecules. Suitable mammalian host cells include, but are not limited to, CHO, HEK293T, PER.C6, NS0, myeloma or hybridoma cells.

The present invention also provides a process for the production of an antibody molecule according to the present invention comprising culturing a host cell comprising a vector encoding a nucleic acid of the present invention under conditions suitable for expression of protein from DNA encoding the antibody molecule of the present invention, and isolating the antibody molecule.

The antibody molecule may comprise only a heavy or light chain polypeptide, in which case only a heavy chain or light chain polypeptide coding sequence needs to be used to transfect the host cel ls. For production of products comprising both heavy and light chains, the cell line may be transfected with two vectors, a first vector encoding a light chain polypeptide and a second vector encoding a heavy chain polypeptide. Alternatively, a single vector may be used, the vector including sequences encoding light chain and heavy chain polypeptides. Alternatively, antibodies according to the invention may be produced by (i) expressing a nucleic acid sequence according to the invention in a host cell, e.g. by use of a vector according to the present invention, and (ii) isolating the expressed antibody product. Additionally, the method may include (ii i) purifying the isolated antibody. Transformed B cells and cultured plasma cells may be screened for those producing antibodies of the desired specificity or function.

The screening step may be carried out by any immunoassay, e.g., ELISA, by staining of tissues or cells (including transfected cells), by neutralization assay or by one of a number of other methods known in the art for identifying desired specificity or function. The assay may select on the basis of simple recognition of one or more antigens, or may select on the additional basis of a desired function e.g., to select neutralizing antibodies rather than just antigen- binding antibodies, to select antibodies that can change characteristics of targeted cells, such as their signaling cascades, their shape, their growth rate, their capability of influencing other cells, their response to the influence by other cells or by other reagents or by a change in conditions, their differentiation status, etc.

Individual transformed B cell clones may then be produced from the positive transformed B cell culture. The cloning step for separating individual clones from the mixture of positive cells may be carried out using limiting dilution, micromanipulation, single cell deposition by cell sorting or another method known i n the art. Nucleic acid from the cultured plasma cells can be isolated, cloned and expressed in H EK293T cells or other known host cells using methods known in the art.

The immortalized B cell clones or the transfected host-cells of the invention can be used in various ways e.g., as a source of monoclonal antibodies, as a source of nucleic acid (DNA or mRNA) encoding a monoclonal antibody of interest, for research, etc.

The invention also provides a composition comprising immortalized B memory cells or transfected host cells that produce antibodies according to the present invention.

The immortalized B cell clone or the cultured plasma cel ls of the invention may also be used as a source of nucleic acid for the cloning of antibody genes for subsequent recombinant expression. Expression from recombinant sources is more common for pharmaceutical purposes than expression from B cells or hybridomas e.g., for reasons of stabi lity, reproducibility, culture ease, etc.

Thus the invention also provides a method for preparing a recombinant cell, comprising the steps of: (i) obtaining one or more nucleic acids {e.g., heavy and/or light chain mRNAs) from the B cell clone or the cultured plasma cells that encodes the antibody of interest; (ii) inserting the nucleic acid into an expression vector and (iii) transfecting the vector into a host cell in order to permit expression of the antibody of interest in that host cell.

Simi larly, the invention provides a method for preparing a recombinant cell, comprising the steps of: (i) sequencing nucleic acid(s) from the B cell clone or the cultured plasma cel ls that encodes the antibody of interest; and (ii) using the sequence information from step (i) to prepare nucleic acid(s) for insertion into a host cell in order to permit expression of the antibody of interest in that host cell. The nucleic acid may, but need not, be manipulated between steps (i) and (ii) to introduce restriction sites, to change codon usage, and/or to optimize transcription and/or translation regulatory sequences.

Furthermore, the invention also provides a method of preparing a transfected host cell, comprisi ng the step of transfecting a host cell with one or more nucleic acids that encode an antibody of interest, wherein the nucleic acids are nucleic acids that were derived from an immortalized B cell clone or a cultured plasma cel l of the invention. Thus the procedures for first preparing the nucleic acid(s) and then using it to transfect a host cell can be performed at different times by different people in different places (e.g., in different countries).

These recombinant cells of the invention can then be used for expression and culture purposes. They are particularly useful for expression of antibodies for large-scale pharmaceutical production. They can also be used as the active ingredient of a pharmaceutical composition. Any suitable culture technique can be used, including but not limited to static culture, rol ler bottle culture, ascites fluid, hollow-fiber type bioreactor cartridge, modular minifermenter, stirred tank, microcarrier culture, ceramic core perfusion, etc.

Methods for obtaining and sequencing immunoglobulin genes from B cells or plasma cells are wel l known in the art (e.g., see Chapter 4 of Kuby Immunology, 4th edition, 2000).

The transfected host cell may be a eukaryotic cell, including yeast and animal cells, particularly mammalian cei ls (e.g., CHO cells, NS0 cells, human cells such as PER.C6 or HKB-1 1 cel ls, myeloma cel ls, or a human liver cell), as well as plant cells, whereby mammalian cells are preferred. Preferred expression hosts can glycosylate the antibody of the invention, particularly with carbohydrate structures that are not themselves immunogenic in humans. In one embodiment the transfected host cell may be able to grow in serum-free media. In a further embodiment the transfected host cell may be able to grow in culture without the presence of animal-derived products. The transfected host cell may also be cultured to give a cell line.

The invention also provides a method for preparing one or more nucleic acid molecules {e.g., heavy and light chain genes) that encode an antibody of interest, comprising the steps of: (i) preparing an immortalized B cell clone or culturing plasma cells according to the invention; (ii) obtaining from the B cell clone or the cultured plasma cells nucleic acid that encodes the antibody of interest. Further, the invention provides a method for obtaining a nucleic acid sequence that encodes an antibody of interest, comprising the steps of: (i) preparing an immortalized B cell clone or culturing plasma cells according to the invention; (ii) sequencing nucleic acid from the B cell clone or the cultured plasma cells that encodes the antibody of interest. The invention further provides a method of preparing nucleic acid molecule(s) that encode an antibody of interest, comprising the step of obtaining the nucleic acid that was obtained from a transformed B cell clone or cultured plasma cells of the invention. Thus the procedures for first obtaining the B cell clone or the cultured plasma cell, and then obtaining nucleic acid(s) from the B cell clone or the cultured plasma cells can be performed at different times by different people in different places (e.g., in different countries).

The invention also comprises a method for preparing an antibody (e.g., for pharmaceutical use) according to the present invention, comprising the steps of: (i) obtaining and/or sequencing one or more nucleic acids {e.g., heavy and light chain genes) from the selected B cel l clone or the cultured plasma cells expressing the antibody of interest; (ii) inserting the nucleic acid(s) into or using the nucleic acid(s) sequence(s) to prepare an expression vector; (iii) transfecting a host cell that can express the antibody of interest; (iv) culturing or sub- culturing the transfected host cells under conditions where the antibody of interest is expressed; and, optional ly, (v) purifying the antibody of interest.

The invention also provides a method of preparing an antibody comprising the steps of: culturing or sub-culturing a transfected host cell population, e.g. a stably transfected host cell population, under conditions where the antibody of interest is expressed and, optionally, purifying the antibody of interest, wherein said transfected host cell population has been prepared by (i) providing nucleic acid(s) encoding a selected antibody of interest that is produced by a B cel l clone or cultured plasma cells prepared as described above, (ii) inserting the nucleic acid(s) into an expression vector, (iii) transfecting the vector in a host cell that can express the antibody of interest, and (iv) culturing or sub-culturing the transfected host cell comprising the inserted nucleic acids to produce the antibody of interest. Thus the procedures for first preparing the recombinant host cell and then culturing it to express antibody can be performed at very different times by different people in different places (e.g., in different countries). Pharmaceutical Composition

The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more of:

(i) the antibody, or the antibody fragment thereof, according to the present invention;

(ii) the nucleic acid encoding the antibody, or antibody fragments according to the present invention;

(iii) the vector comprising the nucleic acid according to the present invention; and/or

(iv) the cell expressing the antibody according to the present invention or comprising the vector according to the present invention.

In other words, the present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention and/or the cell according to the present invention.

The pharmaceutical composition may preferably also contain a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent and/or excipient. Although the carrier or excipient may facilitate administration, it should not itself induce the production of antibodies harmful to the individual receiving the composition. Nor should it be toxic. Suitable carriers may be large, slowly metabol ized macromolecules such as proteins, polypeptides, liposomes, polysaccharides, polylactic acids, polyglycolic acids, polymeric amino acids, amino acid copolymers and inactive virus particles. In general, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers in a pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may be active components or inactive components. Preferably, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in a pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention is not an active component in respect to Zika virus infection.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be used, for example mineral acid salts, such as hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, phosphates and sulphates, or salts of organic acids, such as acetates, propionates, malonates and benzoates. Pharmaceutical ly acceptable carriers in a pharmaceutical composition may additionally contain liquids such as water, saline, glycerol and ethanol. Additionally, auxiliary substances, such as wetting or emulsifying agents or pH buffering substances, may be present in such compositions. Such carriers enable the pharmaceutical compositions to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries and suspensions, for ingestion by the subject.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be prepared in various forms. For example, the compositions may be prepared as injectables, either as liquid solutions or suspensions. Solid forms suitable for solution in, or suspension in, liquid vehicles prior to injection can also be prepared (e.g., a lyophilized composition, similar to Synagis™ and Herceptin™, for reconstitution with sterile water containing a preservative). The composition may be prepared for topical administration e.g., as an ointment, cream or powder. The composition may be prepared for oral administration e.g., as a tablet or capsule, as a spray, or as a syrup (optionally flavored). The composition may be prepared for pulmonary administration e.g., as an inhaler, using a fine powder or a spray. The composition may be prepared as a suppository or pessary. The composition may be prepared for nasal, aural or ocular administration e.g., as drops. The composition may be in kit form, designed such that a combined composition is reconstituted just prior to administration to a subject. For example, a lyophilized antibody may be provided in kit form with sterile water or a sterile buffer.

It is preferred that the active ingredient in the composition is an antibody molecule, an antibody fragment or variants and derivatives thereof, in particular the active ingredient in the composition is an antibody, an antibody fragment or variants and derivatives thereof, according to the present invention. As such, it may be susceptible to degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, if the composition is to be administered by a route using the gastrointestinal tract, the composition may contain agents which protect the antibody from degradation but which release the antibody once it has been absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

A thorough discussion of pharmaceutical ly acceptable carriers is available in Gennaro (2000) Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20th edition, ISBN: 0683306472. Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention generally have a pH between 5.5 and 8.5, in some embodiments this may be between 6 and 8, and in other embodiments about 7. The pH may be maintained by the use of a buffer. The composition may be sterile and/or pyrogen free. The composition may be isotonic with respect to humans. In one embodiment pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are supplied in hermetically-sealed containers.

Within the scope of the invention are compositions present in several forms of administration; the forms include, but are not limited to, those forms suitable for parenteral administration, e.g., by injection or infusion, for example by bolus injection or continuous infusion. Where the product is for injection or infusion, it may take the form of a suspension, solution or emulsion in an oi ly or aqueous vehicle and it may contain formulatory agents, such as suspending, preservative, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents. Alternatively, the antibody molecule may be in dry form, for reconstitution before use with an appropriate sterile liquid. A vehicle is typically understood to be a material that is suitable for storing, transporting, and/or administering a compound, such as a pharmaceutically active compound, in particular the antibodies according to the present invention. For example, the vehicle may be a physiologically acceptable liquid, which is suitable for storing, transporting, and/or administering a pharmaceutically active compound, in particular the antibodies according to the present invention. Once formulated, the compositions of the invention can be administered directly to the subject. In one embodiment the compositions are adapted for administration to mammalian, e.g., human subjects.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered by any number of routes including, but not limited to, oral, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-arterial, intramedullary, intraperitoneal, intrathecal, intraventricular, transdermal, transcutaneous, topical, subcutaneous, intranasal, enteral, sublingual, intravaginal or rectal routes. Hyposprays may also be used to administer the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention. Preferably, the pharmaceutical composition may be prepared for oral administration, e.g. as tablets, capsules and the like, for topical administration, or as injectable, e.g. as liquid solutions or suspensions, whereby it is particularly preferred that the pharmaceutical composition is an injectable. Solid forms suitable for solution in, or suspension in, liquid vehicles prior to injection are also be preferred, e.g. that the pharmaceutical composition is in lyophilized form.

For injection, e.g. intravenous, cutaneous or subcutaneous injection, or injection at the site of affliction, the active ingredient will preferably be in the form of a parenterally acceptable aqueous solution which is pyrogen-free and has suitable pH, isotonicity and stabi lity. Those of relevant skill in the art are well able to prepare suitable solutions using, for example, isotonic vehicles such as Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Injection, Lactated Ringer's Injection. Preservatives, stabilizers, buffers, antioxidants and/or other additives may be included, as required. Whether it is a polypeptide, peptide, or nucleic acid molecule, other pharmaceutically useful compound according to the present invention that is to be given to an individual, administration is preferably in a "prophylactically effective amount" or a "therapeutical ly effective amount" (as the case may be), this being sufficient to show benefit to the individual. The actual amount administered, and rate and time-course of administration, wil l depend on the nature and severity of what is being treated. For injection, the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may be provided for example in a pre-filled syringe.

The inventive pharmaceutical composition as defined above may also be administered orally in any orally acceptable dosage form including, but not limited to, capsules, tablets, aqueous suspensions or solutions. In the case of tablets for oral use, carriers commonly used include lactose and corn starch. Lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate, are also typically added. For oral administration in a capsule form, useful di luents include lactose and dried cornstarch. When aqueous suspensions are required for oral use, the active ingredient, i.e. the inventive transporter cargo conjugate molecule as defined above, is combined with emulsifying and suspending agents. If desired, certain sweetening, flavoring or coloring agents may also be added.

The inventive pharmaceutical composition may also be administered topically, especially when the target of treatment includes areas or organs readi ly accessible by topical application, e.g. including diseases of the skin or of any other accessible epithelial tissue. Suitable topical formulations are readi ly prepared for each of these areas or organs. For topical applications, the inventive pharmaceutical composition may be formulated in a suitable ointment, containing the inventive pharmaceutical composition, particularly its components as defined above, suspended or dissolved in one or more carriers. Carriers for topical administration include, but are not limited to, mineral oil, liquid petrolatum, white petrolatum, propylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene compound, emulsifying wax and water. Alternatively, the inventive pharmaceutical composition can be formulated in a suitable lotion or cream. In the context of the present invention, suitable carriers include, but are not limited to, mineral oil, sorbitan monostearate, polysorbate 60, cetyl esters wax, cetearyl alcohol, 2-octyldodecanol, benzyl alcohol and water.

Dosage treatment may be a single dose schedule or a multiple dose schedule. In particular, the pharmaceutical composition may be provided as single-dose product. Preferably, the amount of the antibody in the pharmaceutical composition - in particular if provided as single-dose product - does not exceed 200 mg, more preferably does not exceed 1 00 mg, and even more preferably does not exceed 50 mg.

For example, the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may be administered daily, e.g. once or several times per day, e.g. once, twice, three times or four times per day, preferably once or twice per day, more preferable once per day, for 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 1 0, 1 1 , 12, 1 3, 1 4, 1 5, 1 6, 1 7, 1 8, 1 9, 20 or 21 or more days, e.g. daily for 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 months. Preferably, the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may be administered weekly, e.g. once or twice per week, for 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 1 3, 14, 1 5, 1 6, 1 7, 1 8, 1 9, 20 or 21 or more weeks, e.g. weekly for 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , or 1 2 months or weekly for 2, 3, 4, or 5 years. Moreover, the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may be preferably administered monthly, e.g. once per month or, more preferably, every second month for 1 , 2, 3, 4, or 5 or more years. It is also preferred that the administration continues for the lifetime. In addition, also one single administration only is also envisaged, in particular in respect to certain indications, e.g. for prevention of Zika virus infection in case of accidental exposure, e.g. in non-immunised subjects. However, the most preferred treatment schedule is postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), wherein one or more single doses are administered as soon as possible after Zika infection. A prophylactic setting, wherein one or more single doses are administered to prevent Zika infection (i.e. before Zika infection, in particular in non-Zika- immunised subjects) is also preferred.

In particular, it is preferred that for a single dose, e.g. a daily, weekly or monthly dose, preferably for a weekly dose, the amount of the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, in the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention, does not exceed 1 g, preferably does not exceed 500 mg, more preferably does not exceed 200 mg, even more preferably does not exceed 1 00 mg, and particularly preferably does not exceed 50 mg.

Pharmaceutical compositions typically include an "effective" amount of one or more antibodies of the invention, i.e. an amount that is sufficient to treat, ameliorate, attenuate or prevent a desired disease or condition, or to exhibit a detectable therapeutic effect. Therapeutic effects also include reduction or attenuation in pathogenic potency or physical symptoms. The precise effective amount for any particular subject will depend upon their size, weight, and health, the nature and extent of the condition, and the therapeutics or combination of therapeutics selected for administration. The effective amount for a given situation is determined by routine experimentation and is within the judgment of a clinician. For purposes of the present invention, an effective dose wi ll generally be from about 0.005 to about 100 mg/kg, preferably from about 0.0075 to about 50 mg/kg, more preferably from about 0.01 to about 10 mg/kg, and even more preferably from about 0.02 to about 5 mg/kg, of the antibody of the present invention (e.g. amount of the antibody in the pharmaceutical composition) in relation to the bodyweight (e.g., in kg) of the individual to which it is administered.

Moreover, the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may also comprise an additional active component, which may be a further antibody or a component, which is not an antibody. The additional active component is preferably a checkpoint inhibitor. It is also preferred that a ZIKV neutralizing antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, as described herein is combined with a ZIKV NS1 -binding antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, as described herein as additional active component (co-agent). Thereby, the pathogenic role of NS1 may be blocked in addition to neutralization of ZIKV. The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may comprise one or more of the additional active components, e.g. as described as co-agents below in the context of a combination therapy. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment, according to the present invention can be present either in the same pharmaceutical composition as the additional active component or, preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment, according to the present invention is comprised by a first pharmaceutical composition and the additional active component is comprised by a second pharmaceutical composition different from the first pharmaceutical composition. Accordingly, if more than one additional active component is envisaged, each additional active component and the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment, according to the present invention is preferably comprised by a different pharmaceutical composition. Such different pharmaceutical compositions may be administered either combined/simultaneously or at separate times or at separate locations (e.g. separate parts of the body).

Preferably, antibody, or the antigen binding fragment, according to the present invention and the additional active component provide an additive therapeutic effect or, preferably, a synergistic therapeutic effect. The term "synergy" is used to describe a combined effect of two or more active agents that is greater than the sum of the individual effects of each respective active agent. Thus, where the combined effect of two or more agents results in "synergistic inhibition" of an activity or process, it is intended that the inhibition of the activity or process is greater than the sum of the inhibitory effects of each respective active agent. The term "synergistic therapeutic effect" refers to a therapeutic effect observed with a combination of two or more therapies wherein the therapeutic effect (as measured by any of a number of parameters) is greater than the sum of the individual therapeutic effects observed with the respective individual therapies.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody according to gZKA1 90, gZKA64, gZKA230, gZKA1 85, gZKA78 or an antigen binding fragment thereof, and a pharmaceutical ly acceptable carrier is preferred. In one embodiment, a composition of the invention may include antibodies of the invention, wherein the antibodies may make up at least 50% by weight (e.g., 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more) of the total protein in the composition. In such a composition, the antibodies are preferably in purified form.

The present invention also provides a method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising the steps of: (i) preparing an antibody of the invention; and (ii) admixing the purified antibody with one or more pharmaceutical ly-acceptable carriers. In another embodiment, a method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprises the step of: admixing an antibody with one or more pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers, wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody that was obtained from a transformed B cell or a cultured plasma cell of the invention. As an alternative to delivering antibodies or B cells for therapeutic purposes, it is possible to deliver nucleic acid (typically DNA) that encodes the monoclonal antibody (or active fragment thereof) of interest derived from the B cell or the cultured plasma cells to a subject, such that the nucleic acid can be expressed in the subject in situ to provide a desired therapeutic effect. Suitable gene therapy and nucleic acid delivery vectors are known in the art.

Pharmaceutical compositions may include an antimicrobial particularly if packaged in a multiple dose format. They may comprise detergent e.g., a Tween (polysorbate), such as Tween 80. Detergents are generally present at low levels e.g., less than 0.01 %. Compositions may also include sodium salts (e.g., sodium chloride) to give tonicity. For example, a concentration of 10±2mg/ml NaCl is typical.

Further, pharmaceutical compositions may comprise a sugar alcohol (e.g., mannitol) or a disaccharide (e.g., sucrose or trehalose) e.g., at around 1 5-30 mg/ml (e.g., 25 mg/ml), particularly if they are to be lyophilized or if they include material which has been reconstituted from lyophilized material. The pH of a composition for lyophilization may be adjusted to between 5 and 8, or between 5.5 and 7, or around 6.1 prior to lyophilization. The compositions of the invention may also comprise one or more immunoregulatory agents. In one embodiment, one or more of the immunoregulatory agents include(s) an adjuvant.

Medical Treatments, Kits and Uses Medical treatments In a further aspect, the present invention provides the use of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention in (i) prevention and/or treatment of Zika virus infection; or in (ii) diagnosis of Zika virus infection. Thereby, use of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention (and in particular its preferred embodiments as described above) is preferred in (i) prevention and/or treatment of Zika virus infection as described herein; or in (ii) diagnosis of Zika virus infection as described herein. Methods of diagnosis may include contacting an antibody or an antibody fragment with a sample. Such samples may be isolated from a subject, for example an isolated tissue sample taken from, for example, nasal passages, sinus cavities, salivary glands, lung, liver, pancreas, kidney, ear, eye, placenta, alimentary tract, heart, ovaries, pituitary, adrenals, thyroid, brain, skin or blood, preferably plasma or serum. The methods of diagnosis may also include the detection of an antigen/antibody complex, i n particular following the contacting of an antibody or an antibody fragment with a sample. Such a detection step is typically performed at the bench, i.e. without any contact to the human or animal body. Examples of detection methods are well-known to the person ski lled in the art and include, e.g., ELISA (enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay).

Prevention of Zika virus infection refers in particular to prophylactic settings, wherein the subject was not diagnosed with Zika virus i nfection (either no diagnosis was performed or diagnosis results were negative) and/or the subject does not show symptoms of Zika virus infection. Accordingly, prevention of Zika virus infection includes "post-exposure prophylaxis" (PEP), i.e. preventive treatment after a possible Zika virus infection, for example after a mosquito bite in a Zika virus affected area. Prevention of Zika virus infection is in particular useful in high-risk subjects, such as in pregnant subjects and/or in subjects staying in Zika virus affected areas (such as subjects living in Zika virus affected areas or travelling to Zika virus affected areas).

In therapeutic settings, in contrast, the subject is typically infected by Zika virus, diagnosed with Zika virus infection and/or showing symptoms of Zika virus infection. Of note, the terms "treatment" and "therapy'V'therapeutic" of ZIKV infection include (complete) cure as well as attenuation of ZIKV infection.

Preferred methods of diagnosis of Zika virus infection are the diagnosis methods as described herein, e.g. using the neutralizing antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention and/or the ZIKV NS1 -binding antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention.

Accordingly, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention is preferably used for treatment of Zika virus infection in subjects diagnosed with Zika virus infection or in subjects showing symptoms of Zika infection.

It is also preferred that the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention is used for prevention and/or treatment of Zika virus i nfection in asymptomatic subjects. Those subjects may be diagnosed or not diagnosed with Zika virus infection. Preferably, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cel l according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention is used for prevention and/or treatment of Zika virus infection in pregnant subjects, in particular to prevent congenital infection. For example, this may be performed in a similar manner as for the prevention of HCMV congential infection as described in Nigro G, Adler SP, La Torre R, Best AM, Congenital Cytomegalovirus Collaborating Group: Passive immunization during pregnancy for congenital cytomegalovirus infection; N Engl J Med 2005, 353:1 350-1362.

Without being bound to any theory, it is assumed that the antibody, or the antigen-binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention can pass the placenta through the interaction with FcRn if administered to a pregnant subject, e.g. by (i.v.) injection or any other route of administration as described herein. Importantly, the interaction of "LALA" variants of antibodies as described herein with FcRn is not compromised. It is believed that FcRn is already expressed in the first trimester in the placenta.

Alternatively, the antibody, or the antigen-binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention may also be administered to the extra-amniotic space.

Preferably, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention is used for prevention and/or treatment of Zika virus infection, wherein the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, the nucleic acid, the vector, the cell, or the pharmaceutical composition is administered up to seven days after (a possible) Zika virus infection, preferably up to five days after (a possible) Zika virus infection, more preferably up to three days after (a possible) Zika virus infection, and most preferably up to one day after (a possible) Zika virus infection. Such a treatment schedule may be useful in therapeutic settings as well as in prophylactic settings, in particular in post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). In PEP typically the first administration of the the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention is as soon as possible after a possible ZIKV infection, e.g. after a mosquito bite in a ZIKV affected area. Accordingly, in PEP the first administration of the the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention is typically up to one or more days after (a possible) ZIKV infection, as described above.

It is also preferred that the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention is used for prevention and/or treatment of Zika virus infection, wherein the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, the nucleic acid, the vector, the cell, or the pharmaceutical composition is administered up to three months before (a possible) Zika virus infection, preferably up to one month before (a possible) Zika virus infection, more preferably up to two weeks before (a possible) Zika virus infection, even more preferably up to one week before (a possible) Zika virus infection, and most preferably up to one day before (a possible) Zika virus infection. Such a treatment schedule refers in particular to a prophylactic setting.

In general - and in particular in PEP - after the first administration of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention, one or more subsequent administrations may follow, preferably a single dose per day or per every second day for 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 1 3, 1 , 1 5, 1 6, 1 7, 1 8, 1 9, 20, or 21 days. It is also preferred that after the first administration of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cel l according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention, one or more subsequent administrations may follow, preferably a single dose once or twice per week for 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 1 0, 1 1 , 12, 1 3, 1 , 1 5, 1 6, 1 7, 1 8, 1 9, 20, or 21 weeks. It is also preferred that after the first administration of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention, one or more subsequent administrations may follow, preferably a single dose every 2 or 4 weeks for 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 1 3, 1 , 1 5, 1 6, 1 7, 1 8, 1 9, 20, or 21 weeks. It is also preferred that after the first administration of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention, one or more subsequent administrations may fol low, preferably a single dose every two or four months for 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 1 0, 1 1 , 12, 13, 1 , 1 5, 1 6, 1 7, 1 8, 1 9, 20, or 21 months. It is also preferred that after the first administration of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention, one or more subsequent administrations may follow, preferably a single dose once or twice per year for 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 years.

Preferably, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention is administered at a (single) dose of 0.005 to 100 mg/kg bodyweight, preferably at a (single) dose of 0.0075 to 50 mg/kg bodyweight, more preferably at a (single) dose of 0.01 to 1 0 mg/kg bodyweight, even more preferably at a (single) dose of 0.05 to 5 mg/kg bodyweight, and particularly preferably at a (single) dose of 0.1 to 1 mg/kg bodyweight. The antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may be administered by any number of routes such as oral, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-arterial, intramedullary, intraperitoneal, intrathecal, intraventricular, transdermal, transcutaneous, topical, subcutaneous, intranasal, enteral, sublingual, intravaginal or rectal routes. Intravenous administration, or subcutaneous administration or intramuscular administration are preferred and i ntravenous administration or subcutaneous administration are more preferred.

In pregnant subjects the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention may also be administered intra- or extra-amniotic, e.g. by injection.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a method of preventing and/or treating Zika virus infection in a subject, wherein the method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention. Preferred embodiments of this method correspond to preferred embodiments of the medical use as described above (and below, regarding combination therapy). For example, a preferred subject in this method is a subject diagnosed with Zika virus infection or showing symptoms of Zika virus infection. Another preferred subject in this method is a pregnant subject. Combination therapy

The administration of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention in the methods and uses according to the invention can be carried out alone or in combination with a co-agent (also referred to as "additional active component" herein), which is in particular useful for preventing and/or treating ZIKV infection.

The invention encompasses the administration of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention, wherein it is administered to a subject prior to, simultaneously or sequentially with other therapeutic regimens or co-agents useful for treating and/or preventing ZIKV infection. Said antibody, nucleic acid, vector, cell or pharmaceutical composition, that is administered simultaneously with said co-agents can be administered in the same or different composition(s) and by the same or different route(s) of administration.

Said other therapeutic regimens or co-agents may be, for example, a checkpoint inhibitor.

Thus, in another aspect of the present invention the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention is administered in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor for the (medical) uses as described herein.

Preferred checkpoint inhibitors are directed to a blockade of PD-1 /PD-L1 and/or of CTLA4 and, thus, include anti-PD-1 antibodies, anti-PD-L1 antibodies and anti-CTLA4 antibodies. Thus, the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may comprise one or more of the additional active components.

It is also preferred that a ZIKV neutralizing antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, as described herein is combined with a ZIKV NS1 -binding antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, as described herein as additional active component (co-agent). Thereby, the pathogenic role of NS1 may be blocked in addition to neutralization of ZIKV. Accordingly, a ZIKV NS1 -binding antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, as described herein is a preferred additional active component (co-agent).

The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment, according to the present invention can be present either in the same pharmaceutical composition as the additional active component (co-agent) or, preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment, according to the present invention is comprised by a first pharmaceutical composition and the additional active component (co-agent) is comprised by a second pharmaceutical composition different from the first pharmaceutical composition. Accordingly, if more than one additional active component (co-agent) is envisaged, each additional active component (co-agent) and the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment, according to the present invention is preferably comprised by a different pharmaceutical composition. Such different pharmaceutical compositions may be administered either combined/simultaneously or at separate times or at separate locations (e.g. separate parts of the body).

Preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment, according to the present invention and the additional active component (co-agent) provide an additive therapeutic effect or, preferably, a synergistic therapeutic effect. The term "synergy" is used to describe a combined effect of two or more active agents that is greater than the sum of the individual effects of each respective active agent. Thus, where the combined effect of two or more agents results in "synergistic inhibition" of an activity or process, it is intended that the inhibition of the activity or process is greater than the sum of the inhibitory effects of each respective active agent. The term "synergistic therapeutic effect" refers to a therapeutic effect observed with a combination of two or more therapies wherein the therapeutic effect (as measured by any of a number of parameters) is greater than the sum of the individual therapeutic effects observed with the respective individual therapies.

Further Use and Kits In a further aspect, the present invention also provides the use of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention for monitoring the quality of an anti-Zika vaccine by checking that the antigen of said vaccine contains the specific epitope in the correct conformation. Preferred antigens comprised by such as anti-Zika vaccine to be checked include ZIKV envelope protein or any other molecule/complex comprising or consisting of (i) domain III of ZIKV E protein (EDI1I) as described above or (ii) a quaternary ZIKV epitope as described above.

Moreover, the present invention also provides the use of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention in diagnosis of Zika virus infection.

In addition also the use of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention in determining whether an isolated blood sample (e.g., whole blood, serum and/or plasma) is infected with Zika virus is provided.

As described above, methods of diagnosis may include contacting an antibody or an antibody fragment with a sample. Such samples may be isolated from a subject, for example an isolated tissue sample taken from, for example, nasal passages, sinus cavities, salivary glands, lung, liver, pancreas, kidney, ear, eye, placenta, alimentary tract, heart, ovaries, pituitary, adrenals, thyroid, brain, skin or blood, preferably serum or plasma. The methods of diagnosis may also include the detection of an antigen/antibody complex, in particular following the contacting of an antibody or an antibody fragment with a sample. Such a detection step is typical ly performed at the bench, i.e. without any contact to the human or animal body. Examples of detection methods are well-known to the person ski l led in the art and include, e.g., ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). In a further aspect, the present invention also provides a kit of parts comprising at least one antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, at least one nucleic acid according to the present invention, at least one vector according to the present invention, at least one cell according to the present invention, and/or at least one pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention. In addition, the kit may comprise means for administration of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention, such as a syringe or a vessel, a leaflet, and/or a co-agent to be administered as described above.

Antibodies specifically binding to NS1 protein ofZika virus In a further aspect, the present invention also provides an isolated antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus (ZIKV).

ZIKV NS1 protein (non-structural protein 1 ) occurs intracellular, secreted and cell-surface associated and in particular secreted ZIKV NS1 protein is typically found in body fluids, such as serum, saliva, urine etc., of subjects infected with ZIKV. Secreted and cell-surface- associated NS1 are highly immunogenic and elicit production of antibodies. NS1 is known to be an important biomarker for early diagnosis of ZIKV infection. Accordingly, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention that specifically binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus (ZIKV), is for example useful in diagnosis of ZIKV infection.

In general, binding may be assessed by standard ELISA as known to the skilled person and as described above. Thereby, the relative affinities of antibody binding may be determined by measuring the concentration of the antibody (ECso) required to achieve 50% maximal binding at saturation. Preferably, the ECso of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention to ZIKV NS1 protein is no more than 50 ng/ml, preferably said ECso is no more than 25 ng/ml, more preferably said ECso is no more than 1 5 ng/ml, even more preferably said EC50 is no more than 10 ng/ml, and most preferab ly said EC50 is no more than 5 ng/ml, such as for example about 2 or 3 ng/ml.

Preferably, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, that specifically binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus (ZIKV), does essentially not bind to Dengue virus (DENV) NS1 protein. Thereby "essentially not binding" means that for the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, no EC _S o-value up to 1 0 ² ng/ml, preferably up to 1 0 ³ ng/ml, more preferably up to 5*1 0 ³ ng/ml, even more preferably up to 8*1 0 ³ ng/ml, and most preferably up to 10' ¹ ng/ml can be determined in a standard ELISA to Dengue virus (DENV) NS1 protein. In other words, the concentration of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, required to achieve 50% maximal binding at saturation (EC50) to Dengue virus (DENV) NS1 protein in a standard ELISA is typically more than 1 0 ² ng/ml, preferably more than 1 0 ³ ng/ml, more preferably more than 5*1 0 ³ ng/ml, even more preferably more than 8*10 ³ ng/ml, and most preferably more than 10 ⁴ ng/ml.

It is also preferred that the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, that specifically binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus (ZIKV), does essentially not bind to Yellow fever virus (YFV) NS1 protein, West ni le virus (WNV) NS1 protein, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) NS1 protein and/or to Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) NS1 protein. Thereby "essentially not binding" means that for the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, no ECso-value up to 1 0 ² ng/ml, preferably up to 10 ³ ng/ml, more preferably up to 5*1 0 ³ ng/ml, even more preferably up to 8*1 0 ³ ng/ml, and most preferably up to 1 0 ⁴ ng/ml can be determined in a standard ELISA to Yellow fever virus (YFV) NS1 protein, West nile virus (WNV) NS1 protein, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) NS1 protein and/or to Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) NS1 protein. In other words, the concentration of the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, required to achieve 50% maximal binding at saturation (EC50) to Yellow fever virus (YFV) NS1 protein, West nile virus (WNV) NS1 protein, Japanese encephalitis virus GEV) NS1 protein and/or to Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) NS1 protein in a standard ELISA is typical ly more than 1 0 ² ng/ml, preferably more than 1 0 ³ ng/ml, more preferably more than 5*1 0 ³ ng/ml, even more preferably more than 8*1 0 ³ ng/ml, and most preferably more than 1 0 ⁴ ng/ml. Preferably, the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, that specifically binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus (ZIKV), is a human antibody. It is also preferred that the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, that specifically binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus (ZIKV), is a monoclonal antibody, preferably a human monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, it is also preferred that the antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, that specifically binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus (ZIKV), is a recombinant antibody.

Preferably, the antibody according to the present invention, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus (ZIKV), comprises an Fc moiety. More preferably, the antibody according to the present invention, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus (ZIKV), comprises a CH2 L4A mutation, a CH2 L5A mutation, or both. For a detailed description of the antibody according to the present invention, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, comprising an Fc moiety and/or comprises a CH2 L4A mutation, a CH2 L5A mutation, or both, it is referred to the detailed description of the Fc moiety and of the CH2 L4A mutation, CH2 L5A mutation, or both in the context of the neutralizing antibodies according to the present invention as above. The corresponding detailed description as well as preferred embodiments apply accordingly also for the antibody according to the present invention, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, that specifical ly binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus (ZIKV).

However, it is also preferred that the antibody according to the present invention, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, that specifical ly binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus (ZIKV), does not comprise an Fc moiety. In particular it is preferred that the antibody according to the present invention, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus (ZIKV), is a purified antibody, a single chain antibody, Fab, Fab', F(ab')2, Fv or scFv. Even more preferably, the antibody according to the present invention, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus (ZIKV), is labelled as described herein, for example biotinylated, such as a biotinylated Fab, Fab', or F(ab')2 fragment. Preferably, the antibody according to the present invention, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus (ZIKV), binds to antigenic site S1 and/or to antigenic site S2 of Zika virus NS1 protein. The present inventors have surprisingly found that anti-ZIKV NS1 antibodies binding to antigenic site SI and/or to antigenic site S2 of ZIKV NS1 protein are not cross-reactive with dengue virus NS1 protein (DENV NS1 ). Anti- ZIKV NS1 antibodies, which bind neither to antigenic site S1 nor to antigenic site S2 of ZIKV NS1 protein, in contrast, are typically cross-reactive with DENV NS1 . This surprising finding indicates that antigenic sites S1 and S2 on ZIKV NS1 can be used to distinguish ZIKV NS1 - specific antibodies from antibodies cross-reactive to DENV NS1 .

Antigenic sites S1 and S2 of ZIKV NS1 protein were identified by the present inventors as described in Example 3, Figure 6. Whether an antibody is binding to antigenic site S1 and/or S2 may be easily identified by the skilled person by using cross-competition studies, for example as described below or in Example 3, wherein the S1 -specific antibody according to gZKA1 5 (SEQ ID NOs: 91 - 99) and/or the S2-specific antibody according to gZKA35 (SEQ ID NOs: 127 - 135) may be used as "second antibody". In such a competition assay, presence of any competition (full or partial) with gZKA1 5 and/or gZKA35 indicates that the antibody to be tested binds to antigenic site S1 and/or to antigenic site S2, respectively. In general, for a competition assay commercially available systems for characterization of protein-protein binding, such as for example "Octet® RED96 System" provided by ForteBio, may be used, in particular according to the supplier's instructions.

In an exemplary competition assay, e.g. using "Octet® RED96 System" provided by ForteBio, ZIKV-NS1 protein (e.g. diluted to 2.5 pg/ml in PBS) may be immobi lized (e.g. for 7-9 minutes) on the surface of an APS coated sensor-chip. Coated biosensors may then be placed into wells containing blocking buffer (e.g., 0.1 % BSA in PBS; e.g. for 6 minutes) to block free Biosensor binding sites. Coated-Biosensors may then be incubated (e.g., for 8 minutes) with the antibody/antibodies to be tested (e.g. diluted in blocking buffer for example at 1 0 pg/ml). After binding of the antibodies to be tested (step 1 ), Biosensors were moved to wel ls containing the "second antibodies", e.g. gZKA1 5 and/or gZKA35 (e.g. for 8 minutes) (step 2). Competition, partial competition or no competition can thus be determined in step 2, depending on whether no association (competition), low association (partial competition) or (strong) association (no competition) is detected.

As described above, the antibody according to the present invention, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, preferably comprises (at least) three complementarity determining regions (CDRs) on a heavy chain and (at least) three CDRs on a light chain. In general, complementarity determining regions (CDRs) are the hypervariable regions present in heavy chain variable domains and light chain variable domains. Typically, the CDRs of a heavy chain and the connected light chain of an antibody together form the antigen receptor. Usually, the three CDRs (CDR1 , CDR2, and CDR3) are arranged non-consecutively in the variable domain. Since antigen receptors are typically composed of two variable domains (on two different polypeptide chains, i.e. heavy and light chain), there are six CDRs for each antigen receptor (heavy chain: CDRH 1 , CDRH2, and CDRH3; light chain: CDRL1 , CDRL2, and CDRL3). A single antibody molecule usually has two antigen receptors and therefore contains twelve CDRs. The CDRs on the heavy and/or light chain may be separated by framework regions, whereby a framework region (FR) is a region in the variable domain which is less "variable" than the CDR. For example, a chain (or each chain, respectively) may be composed of four framework regions, separated by three CDR's. The sequences of the heavy chains and light chains of five exemplary antibodies of the invention, comprising three different CDRs on the heavy chain and three different CDRs on the light chain were determined. The position of the CDR amino acids are defined according to the IMGT numbering system (IMGT: http://www.imgt.org/; cf. Lefranc, M.-P. et al. (2009) Nucleic Acids Res. 37, D1 006-D1 012).

Table 4 shows the SEQ ID NO's of the amino acid sequences of the heavy chain CDR's (CDRH1 , CDRH2, and CDRH3) and of the heavy chain variable region (referred to as "VH") of exemplary antibodies according to the present invention:

Table 5 below shows the SEQ ID NO's of the amino acid sequences of the light chain CDR's (CDRL1 , CDRL2, and CDRL3) and of the light chain variable region (referred to as "VL") of exemplary antibodies according to the present invention:

It is thus preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises amino acid sequences having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% identity to at least one of the CDR sequences, the VH sequence and/or the VL sequence shown in Table 4 and/or in Table 5.

It is preferred that the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH 1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 93, 1 1 1 , 1 29, 1 55, 1 59, 1 63, 1 67, 1 71 , 1 75, 1 79, 1 83, 1 87, 1 91 , 1 95, 1 99, 203, 207, 21 1 , 21 5, 21 9, 223, 227, 231 , and 235; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

More preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH 1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 93, 1 1 1 and 129, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity. Thereby, it is preferred that at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 93 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity. It is also preferred that at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 1 1 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity. Moreover, it is also preferred that at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 29 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

More preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH 1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 91 , 109, 127, 1 53, 1 57, 1 61 , 1 65, 1 69, 1 73, 1 77, 1 81 , 185, 1 89, 1 93, 1 97, 201 , 205, 209, 21 3, 21 7, 221 , 225, 229, and 233; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 92, 1 1 0, 128, 1 54, 1 58, 1 62, 1 66, 1 70, 1 74, 1 78, 1 82, 1 86, 1 90, 1 94, 1 98, 202, 206, 21 0, 214, 21 8, 222, 226, 230, and 234; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(ii i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 93, 1 1 1 , 129, 1 55, 1 59, 1 63, 1 67, 1 71 , 1 75, 1 79, 1 83, 187, 1 91 , 1 95, 1 99, 203, 207, 21 1 , 21 5, 21 9, 223, 227, 231 , and 235; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Still more preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH 1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 91 , 1 09 and 127, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 92, 1 1 0 and 128, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 93, 1 1 1 and 129, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Even more preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH 1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH 1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 91 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 92 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NOs: 93 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

It is also even more preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 09 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:

1 1 0 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 1 1 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Moreover, it is also even more preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 127 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 128 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NOs: 129 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity. More preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one CDRL1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 94, 1 12 and 1 30, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRL2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 95, 96, 1 13, 1 14, 1 31 and 1 32, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one CDRL3 amino comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 97, 1 1 5 and 1 33, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity. Even more preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH 1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one CDRL1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:

94 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRL2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:

95 or 96, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one CDRL3 amino comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 97 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

It is also even more preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH 1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one CDRL1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:

1 1 2 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRL2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:

1 1 3 or 1 1 4, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one CDRL3 amino comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 1 5 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Moreover, it is even more preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1 , at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1 , at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein

(i) the at least one CDRLl comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:

Ί 30 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity;

(ii) the at least one CDRL2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO:

1 31 or 1 32, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or

(iii) the at least one CDRL3 amino comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 33 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Most preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises CDRH1 , CDRH2, and CDRH3 amino acid sequences (i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 91 - 93; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 109 - 1 1 1 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 27 - 1 29; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 53 - 1 55; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (v) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 57 - 1 59; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (vi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 61 - 1 63; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (vii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 65 - 1 67; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (viii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 69 - 1 71 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ix) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 73 - 1 75; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (x) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 77 - 1 79; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 81 - 1 83; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 85 - 1 87; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xiii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 89— 1 91 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xiv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 93 - 1 95; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 97 - 1 99; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xvi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 201 - 203; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xvii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 205 - 207; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xviii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 209 - 21 1 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xix) according to SEQ ID NOs: 21 3 - 21 5; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xx) according to SEQ ID NOs: 21 7 - 21 9; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 221 - 223; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxi i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 225 - 227; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxiii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 229 - 231 ; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (xxiv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 233 - 235; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

It is particularly preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises CDRH 1 , CDRH2, and CDRH3 amino acid sequences and CDRL1 , CDRL2, and CDRL3 amino acid sequences (i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 91 - 95 and 97; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 91 - 94 and 96 - 97; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1 09 - 1 13 and 1 1 5; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 109 - 1 12 and 1 1 4 - 1 1 5; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (v) according to SEQ ID NOs: 127 - 1 31 and 133; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (vi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 127 - 1 30 and 132 - 1 33; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

It is also preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises a heavy chain variable region (VH) and, optionally, a light chain variable region (VL), wherein the heavy chain variable region (VH) comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 98, 1 1 6, 1 34, 1 56, 1 60, 1 64, 1 68, 1 72, 1 76, 1 80, 1 84, 1 88, 1 92, 1 96, 200, 204, 208, 212, 21 6, 220, 224, 228, 232, and 236; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

Most preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention comprises (i) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 98 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 99 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 1 6 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 1 7 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (iii) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 34 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 35 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity. Preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention is gZKA1 5, gZKA25, or gZKA35, more preferably the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is gZKA25 or gZKA35.

The present inventors have isolated monoclonal antibody (mAb) according to the present invention, which are referred to herein as ZKA1 5, ZKA25 and ZKA35 (cf. Tables 4 and 5, Example 1 ). Based on those antibodies, in particular on the VH and VL genes of those antibodies, the terms "gZKA1 5", "gZKA25" and "gZKA35", as used herein, refer to the respective "generic" antibodies, or antigen binding fragments thereof. Namely, "gZKA1 5" refers to an antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, having a CDRH1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 91 , a CDRH2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 92, a CDRH3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 93, a CDRL1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 94, a CDRL2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 95 or 96, and a CDRL3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 97. The heavy chain variable region (V _H ) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 98 and the light chain variable region (V _L ) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 99. "gZKA25" refers to an antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, having a CDRH1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 09, a CDRH2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 10, a CDRH3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 1 1 , a CDRL1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 12, a CDRL2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 13 or 1 14, and a CDRL3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 1 5. The heavy chain variable region (V _H ) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 1 6 and the light chain variable region (V _L ) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 1 7.

"gZKA35" refers to an antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, having a CDRH1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 127, a CDRH2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 128, a CDRH3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 129, a CDRL1 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 130, a CDRL2 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 31 or 1 32, and a CDRL3 amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 33. The heavy chain variable region (V _H ) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 134 and the light chain variable region (V _L ) has preferably an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 35. The detailed description above referring to "production of antibodies" (above section "production of antibodies") and "optional additional features of antibodies" (above section "optional additional features of antibodies") apply to all antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof, as described in the present application - i .e. those sections apply not only to the neutralizing antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments thereof, according to the present invention, but also to the NS1 -protein binding antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments thereof, according to the present invention.

In particular, it is preferred that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention is labelled, for example biotinylated.

For example, antibodies of the invention, or the antigen binding fragments thereof, may be coupled to a detectable label, for example to provide measurability, e.g. for quantification or to facilitate imaging. Labeled antibodies may be employed in a wide variety of assays, in particular in immunoassays, employing a wide variety of labels. Preferred labels include radionuclides, enzymes, coenzymes, fluorescers, chemi luminescers, chromogens, enzyme substrates or co-factors, enzyme inhibitors, prosthetic group complexes, free radicals, particles, dyes (e.g., fluorescent dyes, tandem dyes), and the like. Examples of suitable enzymes include horseradish peroxidase (HRP), alkaline phosphatase, β-galactosidase, or acetylcholinesterase; examples of suitable prosthetic group complexes include streptavidin/biotin and avidin/biotin; examples of suitable fluorescent materials include umbelliferone, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, dichlorotriazinylamine fluorescein, dansyl chloride or phycoerythrin; an example of a luminescent material is luminol; examples of bioluminescent materials include luciferase, luciferin, and aequorin; and examples of suitable radioactive material include 1251, 131 1, 35S, or 3H. Such labeled reagents may be used in a variety of well-known assays, such as radioimmunoassays, enzyme immunoassays, e.g., ELISA, fluorescent immunoassays, and the like, preferably in ELISA. Labeled antibodies according to the present invention may be thus be used in such assays for example as described in US 3, 766,1 62; US 3,791 ,932; US 3,81 7,837; and US 4,233,402.

Preferred labels include (i) enzymes as described above, e.g. horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or alkaline phosphatase, in particular in Western Blotting, ELISA and immunohistochemistry; (ii) prosthetic group complexes as described above, e.g. streptavidin/biotin and avidin/biotin, in particular in ELISA and immunohistochemistry; (iii) fluorescers as described above, such as fluorescent dyes and fluorescent proteins (e.g., (enhanced) green fluorescent protein (EGFP); TagBFP, Turquoise, Venus, K02, Cherry, Apple, Kate2), in particular in immunofluorescence and flow cytometry; and (iv) tandem dyes in flow cytometry.

Preferably, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is biotinylated. Biotinylation is rapid, specific and is unlikely to perturb the natural function of the molecule due to the small size of biotin (MW = 244.31 g/mol). Biotin binds to streptavidin and avidin with an extremely high affinity, fast on-rate, and high specificity. Biotin-binding to streptavidin and avidin is resistant to extremes of heat, pH and proteolysis, making capture of biotinylated molecules possible in a wide variety of environments. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention may be biotinylated chemically or enzymatically. Chemical biotinylation utilizes various conjugation chemistries to yield nonspecific biotinylation of amines (e.g., NHS-coupling gives biotinylation of any primary amines in the antibody, see below). Enzymatic biotinylation results in biotinylation of a specific lysine within a certain sequence by use of a bacterial biotin ligase.

Moreover, a second antibody, or antibody fragment thereof, may also be used as label. In this case, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention is conjugated to a second antibody, or antibody fragment thereof, to form an antibody heteroconjugate as described for example in US 4,676,980. In this case, the second antibody may optionally be labelled as described herein.

Methods for coupling antibodies to labels are well known in the art. For example, in the antibody or in the antigen binding fragment thereof the side chain of lysine, which terminates in a primary amine (-NH ₂ ), may be used to link labels covalently to the antibody or in the antigen binding fragment thereof. Many variant labeling procedures are described in the literature. For example, the labelling approach may be selected from the group consisting of NHS esters, heterobifunctional reagents, carbodiimides and sodium periodate.

NHS esters may be used in particular in the case of fluorescent dye labels. A fluorescent dye label may be purchased in an activated form of the label with an inbuilt NHS ester (also called a 'succinimidyl ester'). The activated dye can be reacted under appropriate conditions with the antibody or with the antigen binding fragment thereof (e.g. via a lysine group). Excess reactive dye can be removed (e.g. by column chromatography) before the labeled antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof can be used in an immunoassay.

Heterobifunctional reagents may be used in particular if the label is a protein molecule (e.g. HRP, alkaline phosphatase, or phycoerythrin). In this case, the antibody or the antigen binding fragment thereof and the label may have multiple amines. In this situation some of the lysines on one molecule (e.g. on the antibody or on the antigen binding fragment thereof) may be modified to create a new reactive group (X) and lysines on the label to create another reactive group (Y) (or vice versa). A 'heterobifunctional reagent' is then used to introduce the Y groups, which subsequently react with X groups when antibody and label are mixed, thus creating heterodimeric conjugates.

Carbodiimides, such as EDC, may be used in particular to create covalent links between amine- and carboxyl-containing molecules. Carbodiimides activate carboxyl groups, and the activated intermediate is then attacked by an amine (e.g. provided by a lysine residue on the antibody or the antigen binding fragment thereof). Carbodiimides may be used in particular to conjugate antibodies to carboxylated particles (e.g. latex particles, magnetic beads), and to other carboxylated surfaces, such as microwell plates or chip surfaces. Carbodiimides may also be used to attach dyes or protein labels to antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof.

Sodium periodate may be used in particular for labelling with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Periodate activates carbohydrate chains on the HRP molecule to create aldehyde groups, which are capable of reacting with lysines on the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof. Since HRP itself has very few lysines, it is relatively easy to create antibody-HRP conjugates without significant HRP polymerization.

Optionally, linkers may be used between the labels and the antibodies of the invention, e.g., as described in US 4,831 , 1 75. Antibodies or, antigen-binding fragments thereof may be directly labeled with radioactive iodine, indium, yttrium, or other radioactive particle known in the art, e.g., as described in US 5,595,721 .

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a complex comprising

(i) the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention; and

(ii) a label as described above. Accordingly, such a complex is preferably a label conjugated to the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention. Preferably, the label and the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention are covalently linked.

For example, the complex according to the present invention may be a fusion protein comprising (i) the antibody according to the present invention and (ii) a label, which is a peptide or a protein, such as a fluorescent peptide or protein, e.g. EGFP.

In another aspect, the present invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide encoding the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention as described above or the complex according to the present invention as described above, in particular if the complex according to the present invention is a fusion protein as described above. Examples of nucleic acid molecules and/or polynucleotides include, e.g., a recombinant polynucleotide, a vector, an oligonucleotide, an RNA molecule such as an rRNA, an mRNA, an miRNA, an siRNA, or a tRNA, or a DNA molecule such as a cDNA.

Nucleic acid sequences encoding part or all of the light and heavy chains and CDRs of the antibodies of the present invention are preferred. Preferably provided herein are thus nucleic acid sequences encoding part or al l of the light and heavy chains, in particular VH and VL sequences and CDRs of the exemplary antibodies of the invention. Tables 4 and 5 provide the SEQ ID numbers for the amino acid sequences of the CDRs and VH and VL of exemplary antibodies according to the present invention.

Table 6 below provides the SEQ ID numbers for exemplary nucleic acid sequences encoding the CDRs and VH and VL of exemplary antibodies according to the present invention. Due to the redundancy of the genetic code, the present invention also comprises sequence variants of these nucleic acid sequences and in particular such sequence variants, which encode the same amino acid sequences. A nucleic acid molecule is a molecule comprising, preferably consisting of nucleic acid components. The term nucleic acid molecule preferably refers to DNA or RNA molecules. In particular, it is used synonymous with the term "polynucleotide". Preferably, a nucleic acid molecule is a polymer comprising or consisting of nucleotide monomers which are covalently linked to each other by phosphodiester-bonds of a sugar/phosphate-backbone. The term "nucleic acid molecule" also encompasses modified nucleic acid molecules, such as base- modified, sugar-modified or backbone-modified etc. DNA or RNA molecules.

Table 6 shows exemplary nucleic acid sequences of the CDR's and the heavy chain variable region (VH) and the light chain variable region (VL) of three exemplary antibodies according to the present invention ("ZKA1 5", "ZKA25", "ZKA35"):

Preferably, the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule according to the present invention comprises or consists of a nucleic acid sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 00 - 1 08, 1 1 8 - 126, and 136 - 1 44.

It is also preferred that nucleic acid sequences according to the invention include nucleic acid sequences having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% identity to the nucleic acid encoding a CDR, a VH sequence and/or a VL sequence used in an (exemplary) antibody according to the present invention, for example to the sequences shown in Table 6.

In general, the nucleic acid molecule may be manipulated to insert, delete or alter certain nucleic acid sequences. Changes from such manipulation include, but are not limited to, changes to introduce restriction sites, to amend codon usage, to add or optimize transcription and/or translation regulatory sequences, etc. It is also possible to change the nucleic acid to alter the encoded amino acids. For example, it may be useful to introduce one or more {e.g., 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.) amino acid substitutions, deletions and/or insertions into the antibody's amino acid sequence. Such point mutations can modify effector functions, antigen-binding affinity, post-translational modifications, immunogenicity, etc., can introduce amino acids for the attachment of covalent groups (e.g., labels) or can introduce tags (e.g., for purification purposes). Mutations can be introduced in specific sites or can be introduced at random, followed by selection (e.g., molecular evolution). For instance, one or more nucleic acids encoding any of the CDR regions, a VH sequence and/or a VL sequence of an (exemplary) antibody of the invention can be randomly or directionally mutated to introduce different properties in the encoded amino acids. Such changes can be the result of an iterative process wherein initial changes are retained and new changes at other nucleotide positions are introduced. Further, changes achieved in independent steps may be combined. Different properties introduced into the encoded amino acids may include, but are not limited to, enhanced affinity.

Further included within the scope of the invention are vectors, for example, expression vectors, comprising a nucleic acid molecule according to the present invention. Preferably, a vector comprises a nucleic acid molecule as described above.

The term "vector" refers to a nucleic acid molecule, preferably to a recombinant nucleic acid molecule, i.e. a nucleic acid molecule which does not occur in nature. A vector in the context of the present invention is suitable for incorporating or harboring a desired nucleic acid sequence. Such vectors may be storage vectors, expression vectors, cloning vectors, transfer vectors etc. A storage vector is a vector which allows the convenient storage of a nucleic acid molecule. Thus, the vector may comprise a sequence corresponding, e.g., to a desired antibody or antibody fragment thereof according to the present invention. An expression vector may be used for production of expression products such as RNA, e.g. mRNA, or peptides, polypeptides or proteins. For example, an expression vector may comprise sequences needed for transcription of a sequence stretch of the vector, such as a promoter sequence. A cloning vector is typically a vector that contains a cloning site, which may be used to incorporate nucleic acid sequences into the vector. A cloning vector may be, e.g., a plasmid vector or a bacteriophage vector. A transfer vector may be a vector which is suitable for transferring nucleic acid molecules into cells or organisms, for example, viral vectors. A vector in the context of the present invention may be, e.g., an RNA vector or a DNA vector. Preferably, a vector is a DNA molecule. For example, a vector in the sense of the present application comprises a cloning site, a selection marker, such as an antibiotic resistance factor, and a sequence suitable for multiplication of the vector, such as an origin of replication. Preferably, a vector in the context of the present application is a plasmid vector. In a further aspect, the present invention also provides cell expressing the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention; and/or comprising the vector according the present invention.

Examples of such cells include but are not limited to, eukaryotic cells, e.g., yeast cells, animal cells or plant cells. Preferably, the cells are mammalian cells, more preferably a mammalian cell line. Preferred examples include human cells, CHO cells, HEK293T cells, PER.C6 cells, NS0 cells, human liver cells, myeloma cells or hybridoma cel ls.

In particular, the cell may be transfected with a vector according to the present invention, preferably with an expression vector. The term "transfection" refers to the introduction of nucleic acid molecules, such as DNA or RNA (e.g. mRNA) molecules, into cells, preferably into eukaryotic cells. In the context of the present invention, the term "transfection" encompasses any method known to the ski lled person for introducing nucleic acid molecules into cells, preferably into eukaryotic cells, such as into mammalian cells. Such methods encompass, for example, electroporation, lipofection, e.g. based on cationic lipids and/or liposomes, calcium phosphate precipitation, nanoparticle based transfection, virus based transfection, or transfection based on cationic polymers, such as DEAE-dextran or polyethylenimine etc. Preferably, the introduction is non-viral.

Moreover, the cel ls of the present invention may be transfected stably or transiently with the vector according to the present invention, e.g. for expressing the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention. Preferably, the cells are stably transfected with the vector according to the present invention encoding the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention. Alternatively, it is also preferred that the cells are transiently transfected with the vector according to the present invention encoding the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention.

In a further aspect, the present invention also provides a composition comprising the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention; the complex according to the present invention as described above; the nucleic acid molecule according to the present invention as described above; the vector according to the present invention as described above; or the cell according to the present invention as described above. A composition comprising the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention or the complex according to the present invention as described above is preferred.

Such a composition may be a pharmaceutical composition as described above in the context of the neutralizing antibodies, whereby the detailed description and preferred embodiments of such a pharmaceutical composition as described above apply accordingly to the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, that binds to ZIKV NS1 protein. However, the composition may also be used for non-pharmaceutical purposes, such as in diagnosis (of ZIKV infection) or for analytical purposes.

Preferably, the composition is in liquid form, e.g. to provide the antibody or the antigen binding fragment thereof in a liquid for direct use, e.g. in a diagnosis assay. The l iquid (vehicle) may be chosen according to the purpose, e.g. depending on the assay. Preferably, the composition according to the present invention comprises PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) or another buffer. Such buffers are preferably biological buffers, and the composition may thus comprise any of MES, BIS-TRIS, ADA, PIPES, ACES, MOPSO, BIS-TRIS propane, BES, MOPS, TES, HEPES, DIPSO, TAPSO, Trizma, POPSO, HEPPS, TRICINE, Gly-Gly, BICINE, HEPBS, TAPS, AMPD, AMPSO, CHES, CAPSO, AMP, CAPS and CABS. It is also preferred that the composition comprises Ringer's solution. In addition, the composition may also comprise Tris, e.g., Tris-HCI.

The composition according to the present invention may also comprise a detergent e.g., a Tween (polysorbate), such as Tween 20 or Tween 80. Detergents are preferably present at low levels e.g., less than 0.01 %. Compositions may also include sodium salts (e.g., sodium chloride) to give tonicity. For example, a concentration of 1 0+2mg/ml NaCl is typical.

In addition, the composition according to the present invention may optionally comprise a protein stabilizer, such as BSA (bovine serum albumin) or HSA (human serum albumin). Further examples of protein stabilizers, which may optionally be included in the composition according to the present invention, include buffers, e.g. as described above; salts, such as sodium chloride; amino acids, such as histidine, glycine, and arginine; polyols/disaccharides/polysaccharides, such as trehalose and sucrose (disaccharides), mannitol and sorbitol (sugar alcohols); surfactants, such as polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, and proteins like HSA or BSA; polymers, such as dextran and polyethylene glycol; and antioxidants.

Furthermore, the composition according to the present invention may optionally comprise a preservative, such as sodium azide. Preservatives are typically used to prevent microbial contamination.

In a further aspect, the present invention also provides a kit of parts comprising the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the complex according to the present invention or the composition according to the present invention.

Such a kit of parts may optionally further comprise one or more of the following: (i) one or more solutions, e.g. to be used in a diagnosis assay, e.g. to dilute the antibody or the antigen binding fragment thereof;

(ii) a leaflet, e.g. with instructions to use;

(iii) a label as described above and, optionally, solutions and/or further components required for labeling; and/or

(iv) vessels or devices, e.g. useful in a diagnosis assay, for example one or more ELISA plates.

Preferably, the kit according to the present invention as described above also comprises a substrate for the development of the color. Examples of such a substrate include p-NPP, in particular in case of detection through alkaline phosphatase; or an enzyme like ABTS, TMB or OPD, in particular in case of use of horse-radish peroxidase (HRP). Optionally, the substrate may be diluted in an appropriate buffer, e.g. a buffer as described above in the context of the composition according to the present invention. Alternatively, the substrate and the buffer may be provided as separate entities in the kit.

With regard to the label, the kit according to the present invention may also comprise an enzyme conjugated streptavidin, or another system to detect the binding of the probe antibody. For example, the probe antibody may be made in murinized form and in this case the binding may be detected with an anti-mouse secondary antibody - without the need for biotinylation. The anti-mouse secondary antibody is typically polyclonal and/or cross- adsorbed for not reacting with human antibodies.

Moreover, the kit according to the present invention preferably comprises one or more ELISA plates. More preferably, those ELISA plates are pre-coated with ZIKV-NS1 protein. Optionally, such pre-coated ELISA-plates may be pre-blocked.

Diagnosis ofZika virus infection

In a further aspect, the present invention also provides the use of the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, that binds to ZIKV NS1 protein, the complex according to the present invention, the composition according to the present invention or the kit of parts according to the present invention in diagnosis of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. Diagnosis of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is typically performed in vitro, e.g. in an isolated sample of the subject to be diagnosed. Preferred isolated samples of the subject include samples of a body fluid and tissue samples. A sample of a body fluid is more preferred. Preferred body fluids for diagnosis of ZIKV infection include blood (e.g. whole blood, plasma, serum), saliva and uri ne. Blood, in particular plasma or serum, is most preferred.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides the use of the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, that binds to ZIKV NS1 protein, the complex according to the present invention, the composition according to the present invention or the kit of parts according to the present invention in determining whether an isolated sample (of a body fluid), such as an isolated blood sample, is infected with Zika virus. As described above, preferred body fluids for diagnosis of ZIKV infection include blood (e.g. whole blood, plasma, serum), saliva and urine. Blood, in particular plasma or serum, is more preferred. For diagnosis of Zika virus infection, different diagnosis assays may be used. Preferred diagnosis assays are immunoassays. Preferred examples of immunoassays include ELISA, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Preferably, diagnosis includes ELISA. For example, a standard ELISA, a sandwich ELISA or a blockade of binding assay may be used.

Preferably, the diagnosis assay detects

(i) (the presence of) ZIKV NS1 protein itself; and/or

(ii) (the presence of) anti-ZIKV NS1 antibodies

in an (isolated) sample of a subject to be diagnosed.

Preferably, a blockade-of-binding assay is used. In this assay, an isolated sample from a subject to be diagnosed (e.g., a sample of a body fluid, such as blood (e.g. whole blood, plasma, serum), saliva and urine) is added to an ELISA plate coated with ZIKV NS1 protein and incubated (for example for at least about one hour) to allow for binding. Thereafter, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention is added, wherein the antibody or the antigen binding fragment thereof according to the present invention is preferably labelled, e.g. biotinylated. After another incubation time (e.g., at least about 1 min), inhibition of binding of the antibody or the antigen binding fragment thereof according to the present invention can be determined. In general, inhibition of binding shows the presence of anti-ZIKV NS1 antibodies in the sample of the subject, thus indicating ZIKV infection of the subject. In samples of non-infected subjects, in contrast, typically no inhibition of binding is expected. Importantly, such an assay using the ZIKV NS1 -binding antibodies of the present invention does not score positive in subjects that were already infected with other flaviviruses. Flaviviruses typically induce a large number of antibodies that are cross-reactive with ZIKV. In other words this assay is highly specific and not affected by cross-reactive Abs.

For example, inhibition of binding of exemplary biotinylated antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof according to the present invention may be assessed by determining the optimal concentration of the antibody or the antigen binding fragment thereof according to the present invention to achieve 70% maximal binding to ZIKV NS1 protein. The optimal concentrations of the exemplary antibodies gZKA15, gZKA25 and gZKA35 to achieve 70% maximal binding to ZIKV NS1 protein are 38, 1 7 and 7 ng/ml, respectively. After performing the above described blockade-of-binding assay, substrate, such as p-NPP is added and the ELISA plate may be read at 405 nm and the percentage of inhibition of binding may be calculated by the following equation (I):

(I) % inhib = (1 - [(OD sample-OD neg ctr)/ (OD pos ctr-OD neg ctr)]) x 1 00 wherein "% inhib" refers to the percentage of inhibition of binding of the antibody or the antigen binding fragment thereof according to the present invention to ZIKV NS1 protein; "OD sample" refers to the optical density of the sample; "OD neg ctr" refers to the optical density of a negative control; and "OD pos ctr" refers to the optical density of a positive control. This assay provides several advantages, such as the abi lity to detect clinical, sub-clinical and asymptomatic ZIKV infections at the population level, being able to distinguish them from other flavivirus infections, such as DENV. In particular, the diagnosis assay according to the present invention provides higher precision than direct ELISA binding assays.

Moreover, the present invention also provides a method for (in vitro) diagnosis of Zika infection (in an isolated sample), wherein the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, that binds to ZIKV NS1 protein, the complex according to the present invention, the composition according to the present invention or the kit of parts according to the present invention is used for determining whether an isolated sample (of a body fluid), such as an isolated blood sample, is infected with Zika virus.

Preferred embodiments of the above use in diagnosis apply also for the diagnosis method. For example, preferred isolated samples (of the subject) include samples of a body fluid and tissue samples. A sample of a body fluid is more preferred. Preferred body fluids for diagnosis of ZIKV infection include blood (e.g. whole blood, plasma, serum), saliva and urine. Blood, in particular plasma or serum, is most preferred. Moreover, preferred diagnosis assays are immunoassays. Preferred examples of immunoassays include ELISA, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Preferably, diagnosis includes ELISA. Most preferably, a blockade-of-binding assay as described above is used.

Preferably, the method for (in vitro) diagnosis of Zika infection (in an isolated sample) comprises a step of

(i) contacting the isolated sample with the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, that binds to ZIKV NS1 protein, the complex according to the present invention, or the composition according to the present invention. More preferably, the method for {in vitro) diagnosis of Zika infection (in an isolated sample) comprises the following steps: (0) adding an isolated sample from a subject to be diagnosed (e.g., a sample of a body fluid, such as blood (e.g. whole blood, plasma, serum), saliva and urine) to an ELISA plate coated with ZIKV NS1 protein;

(i') further adding the antibody or the antigen binding fragment thereof according to the present invention to the ELISA plate, wherein the antibody or the antigen binding fragment thereof according to the present invention is preferably labelled, e.g. biotinylated;

(ii) optionally, washing the ELISA plate; and

(iii) determining the inhibition of binding of the antibody or the antigen binding fragment thereof according to the present invention.

In a further aspect, the present invention also provides the neutralizing antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cel l according to the present invention, or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention for use according in treatment or prevention of ZIKV infection in subjects diagnosed with Zika virus infection by using the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, that binds to ZIKV NS1 protein, the complex according to the present invention, the composition according to the present invention, the kit of parts according to the present invention or the method for ZIKV diagnosis according to the present invention.

In a further aspect, the present invention also provides a method of preventing and/or treating Zika virus infection, the method comprising the following steps:

(i) diagnosing Zika virus infection in a subject by using the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, that binds to ZIKV NS1 protein, the complex according to the present invention, the composition according to the present invention, the kit of parts according to the present invention or the method for ZIKV diagnosis according to the present invention; and

(ii) administering to said subject the neutralizing antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention, or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention.

In a further aspect, the present invention also provides a kit of parts comprising

(i) the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, that binds to ZIKV NS1 protein, the complex according to the present invention, the composition according to the present invention, or the kit of parts according to the present invention; and

(ii) the neutralizing antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to the present invention, the nucleic acid according to the present invention, the vector according to the present invention, the cell according to the present invention, or the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention.

Such a kit of parts is particularly useful in a method as described above. By use of such a method and/or such a kit, ZIKV infection can be specifical ly diagnosed as well as prevented and/or treated.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Figure 1 shows the reactivity (ELISA) and ZIKV and DENV1 neutralizing activity of antibodies derived from four ZIKV immune donors (ZKA, ZKB, ZKC and ZKD) to E protein of ZIKV and DENV1 -4 and to EDIII-domain of ZIKV E protein;

NNB - neutralizing, non-E-protein binding antibodies.

Figure 2 shows the reactivity (ELISA) of antibodies derived from four ZIKV immune donors (ZKA, ZKB, ZKC and ZKD) to NS1 protein of ZIKV, DENVI -4 and other flaviviruses. YFV - yellow-fever virus; WVN - West-Nile virus; JEV - Japanese

Encephalitis virus; and TBEV - Tick-borne Encephalitis virus (nd, not determined).

Figure 3 shows the binding of ZKA1 90, ZKA78 and ZKA64 antibodies to ZIKV and

DENV1 E and to ZIKV EDIII proteins as measured by ELISA.

Figure 4 shows the binding of ZKA1 85 and ZKA1 90 antibodies to ZIKV E, DENV1 VLP and to ZIKV EDIII proteins as measured by ELISA.

Figure 5 shows the binding of ZKA1 5, ZKA25 and ZKA35 antibodies to ZIKV and

DENV1 -4 NS1 proteins as measured by ELISA.

Figure 6 shows for Example 3 ZIKV NS1 protein antigenic site mapping using cross- competition Octet-binding studies. (A-B) Cross-competition matrix performed by Octet on 24 mAbs specific for ZIKV NS1 (A) or cross-reactive to DENV NS1 (B). +, lack of binding of the secondary Ab; +/-, partial loss of binding of the secondary mAb; -, binding of the secondary mAb. Strikethrough cells, not tested. (C) Map of the antigenic sites targeted by ZIKV NS1 -specific mAbs as defined using BLI (Octet) cross-competition. Figure 7 shows for Example 4 blockade of binding assay using mAb ZKA35 as a probe to detect ZIKV NS1 in plasma from ZIKV-immune (n=4), DENV-immune (n=5) and control donors (n=48) (1 /10 dilution). Plasma samples were tested for their capacity to bind NS1 (empty dots) and to inhibit the binding of the biotinylated mAb ZKA35 to NS1 (fil led dots). Figure 8 shows for Example 5 the neutralizing activity of ZKA1 90, ZKA64, ZKA64- LALA ZKA230 and ZKA78 antibodies against ZIKV (H/PF/201 3 strain) and DENV1 on Vero cells as measured by flow-cytometry (% of infected cells). Figure 9 shows for Example 5 the neutralizing activity of ZKA1 90, ZKA64, ZKA1 85,

ZKA230 and ZKA78 antibodies against ZIKV (H/PF/201 3 strain) on Vero cells as measured with a cell viability readout (wst-1 , Roche). Figure 10 shows for Example 6 the infection enhancing activity (ADE, antibody- dependent enhancement) of ZKA1 90, ZKA64, ZKA64-LALA, ZKA1 85, ZKA230 and ZKA78 antibodies for ZIKV (H/PF/2013 strain) on non-permissive K562 cells as measured by flow-cytometry (% of infected cells). Figure 11 shows for Example 6 that four ZIKV-immune plasma and one DENV-immune plasma showed similar capacity to enhance ZIKV infection of K562 cells (upper panel). This ADE effect was completely blocked in all five immune plasma by the EDIII-specific ZKA64-LALA antibody (lower panel). Figure 12 shows the amino acid alignment of the EDIII region of 39 ZIKV strains from the Asian lineage since 201 3 (including the prototypic strai n MR766 of the African lineage isolated in 1 947). Figure 13 shows for Example 5 the neutralizing activity of ZKA1 90 and ZKA1 90-LALA antibody against three strains of ZIKV (H/PF/201 3, MR766 and MRS_OPY_Martinique_PaRi_201 5) on Vero cells as measured by flow- cytometry (% of infected cells). EXAMPLES

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided in the following examples. The following examples are presented only by way of illustration and to assist one of ordinary skill in using the invention. The examples are not intended in any way to otherwise limit the scope of the invention.

Example 1 : Isolation of ZIKV-specific antibodies and production of monoclonal antibodies lgG+ memory B cells were isolated from cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of four ZIKV-infected donors (ZKA, ZKB, ZKC and ZKD) using CD22 microbeads (Miltenyi Biotec), followed by depletion of cells carrying IgM, IgD and IgA by cell sorting. Memory B cells from the ZIKV-infected donors were then immortalized with EBV (Epstein Barr Virus) and CpG (CpG oligodeoxynucleotide 2006) in multiple replicate wells as previously described (Traggiai, E. et al., Nat. Med. 1 0, 871 -875, 2004) and culture supernatants were then tested in a primary screening using in parallel a 384-well based micro- neutralization assay and a binding assay (ELISA) to test their binding to ZIKV NS1 protein or to ZIKV E protein. Results of the binding assay are shown in Fig. 1 (binding to ZIKV E protein) and Fig. 2 (binding to ZIKV NS1 protein).

Neutralization assays were undertaken on Vero cells. In a 384-well plate, ZIKV H/PF/2013 that resulted in an infection rate (m.o.i, multiplicity of infection) of 0.35 was incubated with superntanants for 1 h at 37% (5% C02) before the addition to pre-seeded 5Ό00 Vero cells. These were incubated for a further 5 days, after which supernatant was removed and WST-1 reagent (Roche) was added. Positive cultures were collected and expanded. From positive cultures the VH and VL sequences were retrieved by RT-PCR. Antibodies were cloned into human IgGI and Ig kappa or Ig lambda expression vectors (kindly provided by Michel Nussenzweig, Rockefeller University, New York, US) essentially as described (Ti ller T, Meffre E, Yurasov S, Tsuij i M, Nussenzweig MC, Wardemann H (2008) Efficient generation of monoclonal antibodies from single human B cells by single cell RT-PCR and expression vector cloning. J Immunol Methods 329: 1 12-124). Monoclonal antibodies were produced from EBV-immortalized B cells or by transient transfection of 293 Freestyle cells (Invitrogen). Supernatants from B cells or transfected cells were collected and IgG were affinity purified by Protein A or Protein G chromatography (GE Healthcare) and desalted against PBS. Figure 1 provides an overview over selected ZIKV neutralizing antibodies (cf. Tables 1 and 2 for the amino acid sequences of their CDRs and heavy/light chain variable regions). The last two columns of Figure 1 provide the neutralization activities (IC ₅₀ ) of ZIKV and DENV1 (if tested). The other columns provide binding activities (ECso) of the antibodies to ZIKV E protein (ZIKV E), DENV1 E protein (DENV1 E), DENV2 E protein (DENV2 E), DENV3 E protein (DENV3 E), DENV4 E protein (DENV4 E), DENV1 virus-like particle (DENV1 VLP), DENV2 virus-like particle (DENV2 VLP), DENV3 virus-like particle (DENV3 VLP), DENV4 virus-like particle (DENV4 VLP), and to EDIII-domain of ZIKV E protein (Dill ZKA).

Additional antibodies were isolated for their ability to bind to ZIKV NS1 protein (cf. Fig. 2). Positive cultures were collected and expanded. From positive cultures the VH and VL sequences were retrieved by RT-PCR. Antibodies were cloned into human lgG1 and Ig kappa or Ig lambda expression vectors (kindly provided by Michel Nussenzweig, Rockefeller University, New York, US) essentially as described (Tiller T, Meffre E, Yurasov S, Tsuiji M, Nussenzweig MC, Wardemann H (2008) Efficient generation of monoclonal antibodies from single human B cells by single cell RT-PCR and expression vector cloning. J Immunol Methods 329: 1 12-124). Monoclonal antibodies were produced from EBV-immortalized B cells or by transient transfection of 293 Freestyle cells (Invitrogen). Supernatants from B cel ls or transfected cel ls were collected and IgG were affinity purified by Protein A or Protein G chromatography (GE Healthcare) and desalted against PBS.

Figure 2 provides an overview over selected ZIKV NS1 -protein binding antibodies (cf. Tables 4 and 5 for the amino acid sequences of their CDRs and heavy/light chain variable regions). Namely, Figure 2 provides binding activities (EC50) of the antibodies to ZIKV NS1 protein (ZIKV NS1 ), DENV1 NS1 protein (DENV1 NS1 ), DENV2 NS1 protein (DENV2 NS1 ), DENV3 NS1 protein (DENV3 NS1 ), DENV4 NS1 protein (DENV4 NS1 ), yellow-fever virus NS1 protein (YFV NS1 ), West-Nile virus NS1 protein (WNV NS1 ), Japanese-Encephalitis virus NS1 protein (JEV NS1 ), and to Tick-borne Encephalitis virus NS1 protein (TBEV NS1 ). Example 2: Characterization of antibodies ZKA190, ZKA1 85, ZKA230, ZKA64 and ZKA78

In Example 1 , a large number of ZIKV-neutralizing antibodies were identified and characterized for their specificity to ZIKV, in particular ZIKV E protein and ZIKV EDIII as well as for their cross-reactivity towards DENV. Antibodies ZKA1 90 (SEQ ID NOs: 1 - 1 8), ZKA1 85 (SEQ ID NOs: 1 9 - 36), ZKA230 (SEQ ID NOs: 37 - 54), ZKA64 (SEQ ID NOs: 73 - 90) and ZKA 78 (SEQ ID NOs: 55 - 72) described in Example 1 were then selected and further tested against ZIKV E protein ("ZIKV"), ZIKV EDIII ("DIIIZI") and also tested against the E protein of dengue virus (DENV, serotype number 1 ) by ELISA. To this end, a standard ELISA was used. Briefly, ELISA plates were coated with ZIKV E protein at 1 or 3 pg/ml, blocked with 10% FCS in PBS, incubated with sera or human antibodies and washed. Bound antibodies were detected by incubation with AP-conjugated goat anti-human IgG (Southern Biotech). Plates were then washed, substrate (p-NPP, Sigma) was added and plates were read at 405 nm. The relative affinities of monoclonal antibody binding were determined by measuring the concentration of antibody (EC50) required to achieve 50% maximal binding at saturation.

Results are shown in Figures 3 and 4. Of note, ZKA64 and ZKA1 90 bound to ZIKV E and ZIKV EDIII ("Dill Zl") with low EC50 values, thereby indicating that ZKA64 and ZKA1 90 are binding to domain III of ZIKV E protein (EDIII). ZKA78 bound to ZIKV E, but not to ZIKV EDIII, indicating that ZKA78 is binding to ZIKV E, but not targeting the EDIII region. Despite their considerable ZIKV neutralizing activity (cf. Fig. 1 ), antibodies ZKA1 85 and ZKA230 did not show any detectable binding to ZIKV E and ZIKV EDIII (Fig. 4). Accordingly, ZKA1 85 and ZKA230 were referred to as "neutralizing-non-E-binding" (NNB) antibodies. Those NNB antibodies are assumed to recognize quaternary epitopes that are displayed on the ZIKV infectious virions but not on soluble proteins.

Moreover, none of ZKA190, ZKA1 85, ZKA230, and ZKA64 showed any detectable binding to DENV E proteins (Figure 1 , DENV1 -4 serotypes, and Figures 3 and 4), indicating that ZKA1 90, ZKA1 85, ZKA230, and ZKA64 are specific for ZIKV and not cross-reactive to dengue virus. ZKA78, in contrast, which is assumed to bind to ZIKV EDI/11, but not to ZIKV EDIII (cf. Fig. 3), bound to DENV E proteins (Figures 1 and 3), indicating that ZKA78 is a cross-reactive antibody binding to both, ZIKV and DENV. To further confirm those results, the ZIKV E protein binding antibodies ZKA190, ZKA64 and ZKA78 were additionally tested against E protein of dengue virus (DENV, serotypes number 1 - 4). ZKA64 and ZKA1 90 did not bind to DENV1 -4 E protein, thereby confirming that ZKA64 and ZKA1 90 are specific for ZIKV. ZKA78, in contrast, bound to DENV1 -4 E, confirming that ZKA78 is a cross-reactive antibody binding to the E protein of both ZIKV and DENV (cf. Fig. 1 ).

Example 3: Characterization of ZIKV NSI -specific antibodies for serological diagnosis

In Example 1 , a large number of NSI -reactive antibodies were identified and then characterized for their specificity to ZIKV NSI and cross-reactivity towards other fiavivirus NS1 proteins (Fig. 2). Antibodies ZKA1 5 (SEQ ID NOs: 91 - 1 08), ZKA25 (SEQ ID NOs: 1 09 - 1 26) and ZKA35 (SEQ ID NOs: 127 - 144) were then further characterized for binding to ZIKV NS1 and DENV1 NS1 , DENV2 NS1 , DENV3 NS1 and DENV4 NS1 . To this end, a standard ELISA was used. Briefly, ELISA plates were coated with ZIKV NS1 protein at 1 pg/ml, blocked with 1 0% FCS in PBS, incubated with sera or human antibodies and washed. Bound antibodies were detected by incubation with AP-conjugated goat anti-human IgG (Southern Biotech). Plates were then washed, substrate (p-NPP, Sigma) was added and plates were read at 405 nm. The relative affinities of monoclonal antibody binding were determined by measuring the concentration of antibody (EC50) required to achieve 50% maximal binding at saturation. Results are shown in Figure 5. All three antibodies (ZKA1 5, ZKA25 and ZKA35) bound with high affinity to ZIKV NS1 but not to the DENV1 -4 NS1 antigens (Fig. 5).

To investigate the binding of the antibodies to ZIKV NS1 further, bio-layer interferometry competition assays were used. A cross-competition matrix was generated using biolayer interferometry (BLI; Octet) on 1 3 antibodies specific for ZIKV NS1 (i.e. not cross-reactive with DENV NS1 ), namely antibodies ZKA24, ZKA1 5, ZKA32, ZKA1 9, ZKA50, ZKA37, ZKA46, ZKA1 0, ZKA48, ZKA35, ZKA25, ZKA44, and ZKA30 (cf. Fig. 6A). As can be retrieved from Fig. 2 none of those 13 antibodies showed detectable binding to DENV NS1 .

Competition assays and antigenic sites determination were determined at 37°C with a Octet RED96 system, ForteBio. The ZIKV-NS1 protein diluted to 2.5 pg/ml in PBS was immobilized for 7-9 minutes on the surface of an APS coated sensor-chip. Coated biosensors were placed in wells containing blocking buffer (0.1 % BSA in PBS) for 6 minutes to block free Biosensor binding sites. Coated-Biosensors were then incubated for 8 minutes with a set of single purified mAbs specific for ZIKV-NS1 diluted in blocking buffer at 1 0 pg/ml. After binding of the first set of mAbs (step 1 ), Biosensors were moved to wells containing different mAbs for 8 minutes (step 2). Association of the second mAb resulted in recognition of a different antigenic site compared to the first mAb (e.g. non-competition). Competition or partial competition were determined in step 2 when no association or low association was detected, respectively. A cross-competition matrix was created by multiple runs of competitions in order to predict antigenic site mapping on ZIKV NS1 .

Results are shown in Figures 6A and 6C. Firstly, all of the ZIKV NS1 -specific antibodies tested were binding to antigenic site(s) S1 and/or S2 (Fig. 6A). However, some of the antibodies did not compete with others. For example, ZKA1 5 did not compete for binding with ZKA25 and ZKA35 and vice versa (Fig. 6A). Accordingly, antibody ZKA1 5 was assigned to the antigenic site S1 , while antibodies ZKA25 and ZKA35 were assigned to the antigenic site S2 (Fig. 6C). In summary, based on the antibodies used, antigenic sites (S1 and S2) on ZIKV NS1 were identified (Fig. 6C). Additionally, binding of 1 0 antibodies cross-reacting to ZIKV NS1 protein and to DENV NS1 protein (namely, ZKA1 8, ZKA29, ZKA39, ZKA53, ZKA54, ZKB1 9, ZKB23, ZKC29, ZKC33, and ZKC34; Fig. 6B) to antigenic sites S1 and/or S2 on ZIKV NS1 was investigated. As can be retrieved from Fig. 2 all of those 1 0 antibodies showed binding to DENV NS1 . Those 1 0 cross- reactive antibodies were tested in a cross-competition assay as described above (for the ZIKV NS1 -specific antibodies) against ZIKV NS1 S1 -specific antibody ZKA1 5 and against ZIKV NS1 S2 -specific antibody ZKA35. Results are shown in Fig. 6B. Interestingly, none of the ten cross-reactive antibodies tested competed with ZKA 1 5 and/or ZKA35 for binding to antigenic site(s) S1 and/or S2 on ZIKV NS1 (Figure 6B). These results show that ZKA1 5 and ZKA35 antigenic site is not targeted by NS1 cross-reactive antibodies. Thus, NS1 antigenic sites S1 and S2 were targeted by ZIKV- specific, but not by cross-reactive antibodies.

Example 4: Use of ZIKV NS1 -specific antibodies in diagnosis of ZIKV infection In the present Example, the usefulness of the ZIKV NS1 -specific antibodies of the present invention in diagnosis of ZIKV infection was investigated. More specifically, the use of ZIKV NS1 -specific antibodies of the present invention to specifically detect the presence or absence of antibodies elicited against ZIKV NS1 in plasma samples of ZIKV- or DENV-infected donors was determined.

To this end, a "blockade of binding" assay was used. In particular, the abi lity of ZIKV NS1 - reactive plasma antibodies to inhibit the binding of the biotinylated antibody ZKA35 to ZIKV NS1 was measured. To this end, ZIKV NS1 -specific antibody ZKA35 was biotinylated using the EZ-Link NHS-PEO solid phase biotinylation kit (Pierce). Labelled ZKA35 was tested for binding to ZIKV NS1 to determine the optimal concentration of ZKA35 to achieve 70% maximal binding. Plasma samples from ZIKV- (n=4), DENV-immune (n=5) donors and control (n=48) plasma (1 /1 0 dilution) were added to ELISA plates coated with ZIKV NS1 . After 1 h, biotinylated anti-ZIKV NS1 antibody ZKA35 was added at the concentration achieving 70% maximal binding and the mixture was incubated at room temperature for 1 5 minutes. Plates were washed, substrate (p-NPP, Sigma) was added and plates were read at 405 nm. The percentage of inhibition was calculated as follow: (1 -[(OD sample-OD neg ctr)/ (OD pos ctr-OD neg ctr)]) x 100.

Results are shown in Figure 7. Of note, antibody ZKA35 binding to the antigenic site S2 on NS1 was inhibited only by plasma samples from ZIKV-immune donors, but not DENV- immune donors, and its binding was also not inhibited by 48 control plasma samples (Figure 7). Accordingly, this assay may be used as to specifical ly detect clinical and sub-clinical ZIKV infections at the population level.

Example 5: The antibodies according to the present invention potently neutralize ZIKV infection

The isolated antibodies ZKA1 90, ZKA1 85, ZKA230, ZKA64 and ZKA78 were tested for their ability to neutralize ZIKV and DENV1 infection in vitro.

Neutralization of DENV and ZIKV infection by antibodies was measured using a micro- neutralization flow cytometry-based assay. Different dilutions of antibodies were mixed with ZIKV (MOI of 0.35) or attenuated DENV1 (all at MOI of 0.04) for 1 hour at 37°C and added to 5000 Vero cells/well in 96-well flat-bottom plates. After four days for ZIKV and five days for DENV, the cells were fixed with 2% formaldehyde, permeabilized in PBS 1 % FCS 0.5% saponin, and stained with the mouse mAb 4G2. The cells were incubated with a goat anti- mouse IgG conjugated to Alexa Fluor488 (Jackson Immuno- Research, 1 1 54851 64) and analyzed by flow cytometry. In other cases the ZIKV neutralization data are also determined measuring cell viability using the WST-1 reagent (Roche). The neutralization titer (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50]) was expressed as the antibody concentration that reduced the infection by 50% compared to cell-only control wells.

Results are shown in Figures 8, 9 and 1 3. The EDIII-specific mAbs ZKA64 and ZKA1 90 and the NNB mAb ZKA230 were highly potent in ZIKV neutralization (strain H/PF/2013), with IC50 values of 93, 9 and 10 ng/ml, respectively (Figure 8, upper panel). In contrast, the cross- reactive antibody ZKA78 only partial ly neutralized ZIKV infectivity and cross-neutralized DENV1 infectivity (Figure 8, lower panels). Simi lar data were obtained by measuring the ZIKV-induced cytopathic effect as measured with the WST-1 reagent (Figure 9). In this second assay, NNB antibody ZKA1 85 was also included in the panel of tested antibodies and showed an IC50 similar to the most potent antibodies ZKA1 90 (EDIII-specific) and ZKA230 (NNB). It is important to note that the ultra-potent ZKA64 and ZKA1 90 antibodies in addition to their abi lity to neutralize the ZIKV H/PH/2013 strain (present example), also bound to the E protein and EDIII derived from the ZIKV strains MR766 and SPH201 5, respectively (Figure 1 and Figure 3). ZKA1 90 and ZKA1 90-LALA was also confirmed to effectively neutralize two additional ZIKV strains (MR766 and MRS_OPY_Martinique_PaRi_201 5) (Fig. 13). Taken together the results indicate that the ultra-potent ZKA64 and ZKA1 90 antibodies cross-react with multiple strains of ZIKV belonging to different genotypes and origins (East African and Asian from Uganda, French Polynesia, Martinique and Brazil).

Example 6: The "LALA" mutation inhibits antibody-dependent enhancement of ZIKV infection by serum antibodies

Neutralizing antibodies were also tested for their ability to enhance the infection of ZIKV in the non-permissive K562 cells (antibody-dependent enhancement assay, ADE assay). ADE was measured by a flow based assay using K562 cells. Antibodies and ZIKV H/PF/201 3 (MOl 0.1 75) were mixed for 1 hour at 37°C and added to 5000 K562 cells/well. After four days, cells were fixed, permeabilized, and stained with m4G2. The number of infected cells was determined by flow cytometry.

Results are shown in Figure 1 0. All antibodies enhanced infection of ZIKV in the non- permissive K562 cells at a broad range of concentrations, including those that fully neutralized ZIKV infection on Vero cells (Figure 1 0). Of note, whi le EDIII-specific antibodies ZKA64 and ZKA1 90 fully neutralized ZIKV infections of K562 cells above 1 μg/ml, the NNB antibody ZKA230 failed to do so, a result that might be due to the different mechanisms of neutralization of free viruses versus Fc-gamma-receptor-internalized viruses. In contrast, the cross-reactive ZKA78 that only partially neutralized ZIKV infectivity, effectively enhanced ZIKV infection of K562 cells. These results show that cross-reactive antibodies elicited by either ZIKV or DENV infection can mediate heterologous ADE.

In view thereof it was investigated whether ADE could be also induced by immune sera and whether this could be blocked by neutralizing antibodies delivered as a "LALA variant". To obtain the LALA variant, each of the heavy chains was mutated at amino acids 4 and 5 of CH2 domain by substituting an alanine in place of the natural leucine using site-directed mutagenesis. As described above, LALA variants (of human IgGI antibodies) do not bind to Fc-gamma-receptors and complement.

To investigate the effect of ZKA64-LALA antibody in ZIKV ADE, an inhibition of ADE assay was used. Since ADE of ZIKV is observed using ZIKV- or DENV-immune plasma, ZIKV (MOI 0.1 75) was mixed with plasma from primary ZIKV- or DENV-infected donors for 30 minutes at 37°C. ZKA64-LALA antibody was added at 50 pg/ml, mixed with 5000 K562 cells/well and incubated for three days. Cells were then stained with 4G2 and analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results are shown in Figure 1 1 . In a homologous setting, four ZIKV-immune plasma collected from convalescent patients and one DENV-immune plasma showed simi lar capacity to enhance ZIKV infection of K562 cells (Figure 1 1 , upper panel), and this ADE effect was completely blocked by the EDIII-specific ZKA64-LALA antibody (Figure 1 1 , lower panel).

Of note, the ADE effect of ZIKV- and DENV-immune plasma was completely blocked by the EDIII-specific ZKA64-LALA antibody. The ADE blocking ability of a single EDIII-specific LALA antibody could be related not only to its capacity to out-compete serum enhancing antibodies but also to neutralize virus once internalized into endosomes.

These results indicate that a potently neutralizing antibody, such as ZKA190, ZKA230, ZKA1 85 or ZKA64, developed in the "LALA" form, have a strong potential to be used in prophylactic or therapeutic settings to prevent congenital ZIKV infection, e.g. in pregnant women and/or in people living in high risk areas. The use of the LALA form avoids the risk of ZIKV ADE and, as shown above, could also block ADE of pre-existing cross-reactive antibodies, such as in the case of patients already immune to DENV. Tables of Sequences and SEQ ID Numbers