# US 11,897,968 B2 · Anti-MerTK antibodies and methods of use thereof

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,897,968 B2
- Document ID: US11897968B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/118,921
- Filed: 2020-12-11
- Published: 2021-08-26
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2019-12-13
- Assignees: Alector LLC
- Applicants: Alector LLC
- Inventors: Seung-Joo Lee; Spencer Liang; Angie Yee; Marina Roell; Arnon Rosenthal
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897968B2

## CPC

- C07K 16/40: against enzymes
- A61P 29/00: Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
- A61P 35/00: Antineoplastic agents
- C07K 16/2818: {against CD28 or CD152}
- C07K 16/2827: {against B7 molecules, e.g. CD80, CD86}
- A61K 2039/505: {comprising antibodies}
- A61K 2039/507: {Comprising a combination of two or more separate antibodies}
- C07K 2317/24: containing regions, domains or residues from different species, e.g. chimeric, humanized or veneered
- C07K 2317/33: Crossreactivity, e.g. for species or epitope, or lack of said crossreactivity
- C07K 2317/53: Hinge
- C07K 2317/56: variable (Fv) region, i.e. VH and/or VL
- C07K 2317/622: Single chain antibody (scFv)
- C07K 2317/71: Decreased effector function due to an Fc-modification
- C07K 2317/76: Antagonist effect on antigen, e.g. neutralization or inhibition of binding
- C07K 2317/92: Affinity (KD), association rate (Ka), dissociation rate (Kd) or EC50 value
- C07K: PEPTIDES (peptides in foodstuffs A23; obtaining protein compositions for foodstuffs, working-up proteins for foodstuffs A23J; preparations for medicinal purposes A61K; peptides containing beta-lactam rings C07D; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, C07D; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type C07D519/02; macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units in their molecules, i.e. when the preparation does not provide for a specific; but for a random sequence of the amino acid units, homopolyamides and block copolyamides derived from amino acids C08G69/00; macromolecular products derived from proteins C08H1/00; preparation of glue or gelatine C09H; single cell proteins, enzymes C12N; genetic engineering processes for obtaining peptides C12N15/00; compositions for measuring or testing processes involving enzymes C12Q; investigation or analysis of biological material G01N33/00)
- A61P: SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
- A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D)

## Abstract

The present disclosure is generally directed to compositions that include antibodies, e.g., monoclonal, antibodies, antibody fragments, etc., that specifically bind a MerTK polypeptide, e.g., a mammalian MerTK or human MerTK, and use of such compositions in treating an individual in need thereof.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An isolated antibody that binds to human MerTK, wherein the antibody comprises an HVR-H1, HVR-H2, HVR-H3, HVR-L1, HVR-L2, and HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequences of:
(i) SEQ ID NOs: 75, 99, 125, 158, 187, and 207, respectively;
(ii) SEQ ID NOs: 76, 100, 126, 159, 187, and 208, respectively;
(iii) SEQ ID NOs: 77, 101, 127, 160, 188, and 209, respectively;
(iv) SEQ ID NOs: 75, 99, 128, 158, 187, and 210, respectively;
(v) SEQ ID NOs: 78, 102, 129, 161, 189, and 211, respectively;
(vi) SEQ ID NOs: 75, 103, 130, 158, 187, and 212, respectively;
(vii) SEQ ID NOs: 77, 101, 127, 162, 188, and 209, respectively;
(viii) SEQ ID NOs: 75, 99, 131, 163, 187, and 213, respectively;
(ix) SEQ ID NOs: 79, 104, 132, 164, 190, and 214, respectively;
(x) SEQ ID NOs: 80, 105, 133, 165, 191, and 215, respectively;
(xi) SEQ ID NOs: 81, 106, 134, 166, 192, and 216, respectively;
(xii) SEQ ID NOs: 82, 107, 135, 167, 193, and 217, respectively;
(xiii) SEQ ID NOs: 77, 108, 136, 167, 194, and 209, respectively;
(xiv) SEQ ID NOs: 75, 109, 137, 168, 187, and 218, respectively;
(xv) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 99, 138, 158, 187, and 210, respectively;
(xvi) SEQ ID NOs: 84, 99, 139, 169, 195, and 219, respectively;
(xvii) SEQ ID NOs: 85, 99, 140, 170, 196, and 220, respectively;
(xviii) SEQ ID NOs: 86, 99, 141, 171, 191, and 221, respectively;
(xix) SEQ ID NOs:87, 110, 142, 172, 197, and 222, respectively;
(xx) SEQ ID NOs: 88, 99, 143, 173, 191, and 223, respectively;
(xxi) SEQ ID NOs: 89, 111, 143, 173, 198, and 221, respectively;
(xxii) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 112, 144, 174, 199, and 224, respectively;
(xxiii) SEQ ID NOs: 91, 113, 145, 175, 200, and 225, respectively;
(xxiv) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 114, 146, 176, 201, and 226, respectively;
(xxv) SEQ ID NOs: 92, 115, 147, 177, 195, and 227, respectively;
(xxvi) SEQ ID NOs: 93, 116, 148, 178, 188, and 209, respectively;
(xxvii) SEQ ID NOs: 94, 117, 149, 179, 195, and 228, respectively;
(xxviii) SEQ ID NOs: 95, 118, 150, 180, 187, and 229, respectively;
(xxix) SEQ ID NOs: 95, 119, 151, 181, 187, and 208, respectively;
(xxx) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 120, 152, 182, 202, and 230, respectively;
(xxxi) SEQ ID NOs: 96, 118, 153, 183, 202, and 230, respectively;
(xxxii) SEQ ID NOs: 96, 121, 154, 181, 187, and 210, respectively;
(xxxiii) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 122, 155, 184, 203, and 231, respectively;
(xxxiv) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 122, 155, 184, 203, and 231, respectively;
(xxxv) SEQ ID NOs:97, 123, 156, 185, 204, and 232, respectively;
(xxxvi) SEQ ID NOs: 98, 124, 157, 186, 205, and 233, respectively;
(xxxvii) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 329, 334, 158, 187, and 210, respectively;
(xxxviii) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 330, 138, 158, 187, and 210, respectively;
(xxxix) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 329, 138, 340, 187, and 210, respectively;
(xl) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 329, 138, 341, 187, and 210, respectively;
(xli) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 329, 335, 341, 187, and 210, respectively;
(xlii) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 331, 138, 341, 187, and 210, respectively;
(xliii) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 329, 138, 342, 187, and 210, respectively;
(xliv) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 329, 336, 341, 187, and 210, respectively;
(xlv) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 329, 337, 343, 187, and 210, respectively;
(xlvi) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 332, 338, 341, 187, and 210, respectively;
(xlvii) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 333, 334, 158, 187, and 210, respectively;
(xlviii) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 332, 336, 341, 187, and 210, respectively;
(xlix) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 329, 339, 344, 187, and 210, respectively;
(l) SEQ ID NOs: 83, 329, 138, 158, 187, and 210, respectively;
(li) SEQ ID NOs: 84, 329, 139, 169, 195, and 219, respectively;
(lii) SEQ ID NOs: 84, 99, 139, 345, 195, and 219, respectively;
(liii) SEQ ID NOs: 346, 348, 355, 341, 187, and 360, respectively;
(liv) SEQ ID NOs: 95, 119, 355, 341, 187, and 361, respectively;
(lv) SEQ ID NOs: 95, 349, 356, 341, 187, and 362, respectively;
(lvi) SEQ ID NOs: 95, 119, 356, 341, 359, and 362, respectively;
(lvii) SEQ ID NOs: 346, 119, 356, 341, 359, and 362, respectively;
(lviii) SEQ ID NOs: 95, 350, 356, 341, 359, and 362, respectively;
(lix) SEQ ID NOs: 95, 351, 356, 341, 359, and 362, respectively;
(lx) SEQ ID NOs: 347, 119, 356, 341, 359, and 362, respectively;
(lxi) SEQ ID NOs: 346, 119, 356, 341, 359, and 362, respectively;
(lxii) SEQ ID NOs: 95, 119, 356, 341, 187, and 362, respectively;
(lxiii) SEQ ID NOs: 95, 352, 356, 341, 187, and 362, respectively;
(lxiv) SEQ ID NOs: 95, 350, 356, 341, 359, and 362, respectively;
(lxv) SEQ ID NOs: 95, 353, 356, 341, 359, and 362, respectively;
(lxvi) SEQ ID NOs: 95, 351, 356, 341, 359, and 362, respectively;
(lxvii) SEQ ID NOs: 95, 350, 356, 341, 359, and 362, respectively;
(lxviii) SEQ ID NOs: 346, 354, 356, 341, 359, and 363, respectively;
(lxix) SEQ ID NOs: 346, 348, 356, 357, 359, and 362, respectively;
(lxx) SEQ ID NOs: 346, 354, 356, 358, 187, and 362, respectively;
(lxxi) SEQ ID NOs: 95, 348, 151, 181, 187, and 208, respectively;
(lxxii) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 364, 373, 376, 388, and 231, respectively;
(lxxiii) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 364, 155, 377, 203, and 231, respectively;
(lxxiv) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 364, 374, 378, 203, and 231, respectively;
(lxxv) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 365, 155, 376, 203, and 392, respectively;
(lxxvi) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 364, 155, 376, 389, and 231, respectively;
(lxxvii) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 364, 155, 379, 203, and 231, respectively;
(lxxviii) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 366, 155, 380, 203, and 231, respectively;
(lxxix) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 364, 373, 381, 203, and 231, respectively;
(lxxx) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 367, 155, 382, 203, and 231, respectively;
(lxxxi) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 368, 155, 383, 203, and 231, respectively;
(lxxxii) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 364, 374, 384, 203, and 231, respectively;
(lxxxiii) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 368, 155, 376, 203, and 293, respectively;
(lxxxiv) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 364, 155, 378, 203, and 231, respectively;
(lxxxv) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 368, 155, 376, 203, and 231, respectively;
(lxxxvi) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 369, 155, 378, 203, and 394, respectively;
(lxxxvii) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 364, 155, 378, 203, and 231, respectively;
(lxxxviii) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 370, 155, 378, 203, and 394, respectively;
(lxxxix) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 371, 155, 378, 203, and 394, respectively;
(xc) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 368, 155, 385, 203, and 394, respectively;
(xci) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 368, 155, 378, 203, and 395, respectively;
(xcii) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 368, 155, 378, 390, and 394, respectively;
(xciii) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 372, 155, 378, 391, and 394, respectively;
(xciv) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 368, 375, 386, 203, and 394, respectively; or
(xcv) SEQ ID NOs: 90, 368, 155, 387, 203, and 394, respectively.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs:5 and 40, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:6 and 41, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:7 and 42, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:8 and 43, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:9 and 44, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:10 and 45, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:11 and 46, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:12 and 47, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:13 and 48, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:14 and 49, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:15 and 50, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:16 and 51, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:17 and 52, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:18 and 53, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:19 and 54, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:20 and 55, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:21 and 56, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:22 and 57, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:23 and 58, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:24 and 59, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:25 and 60, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:26 and 61, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:27 and 62, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:28 and 63, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:29 and 64, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:30 and 65, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:31 and 66, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:32 and 67, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:33 and 68, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:34 and 69, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:35 and 70, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:36 and 71, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:37 and 72, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:38 and 73, respectively; and SEQ ID NOs:39 and 74, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:234 and 247, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:235 and 247, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:236 and 248, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:236 and 249, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:237 and 249, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:238 and 249, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:239 and 250, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:240 and 251, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:241 and 252, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:242 and 249, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:243 and 247, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:244 and 251, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:245 and 253, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:246 and 247, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:246 and 254, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:255 and 257, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:256 and 258, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:259 and 274, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:260 and 275, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:261 and 276, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:262 and 277, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:263 and 277, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:264 and 277, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:265 and 277, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:266 and 277, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:267 and 278, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:268 and 279, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:269 and 279, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:264 and 280, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:270 and 281, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:265 and 282, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:264 and 283, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:271 and 284, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:272 and 285, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:271 and 286, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:273 and 287, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:273 and 288, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:273 and 289, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:290 and 309, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:291 and 310, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:292 and 311, respectively SEQ ID NOs:293 and 312, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:294 and 313, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:295 and 314, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:296 and 315, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:290 and 316, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:297 and 317, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:298 and 318, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:292 and 319, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:299 and 320, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:300 and 311, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:301 and 321, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:302 and 322, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:303 and 311, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:304 and 322, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:305 and 322, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:301 and 323, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:301 and 324, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:301 and 325, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:306 and 326, respectively; SEQ ID NOs:307 and 327, respectively; or SEQ ID NOs:308 and 328, respectively.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody reduces efferocytosis by a phagocytic cell, reduces binding of ProS to MerTK, reduces binding of Gas6 to MerTK, reduces binding of ProS to MerTK and reduces the binding of Gas6 to MerTK, reduces Gas6-mediated phosphorylation of AKT, and/or increases or induces M1-like macrophage polarization.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody is a murine antibody, a humanized antibody, a bispecific antibody, a monoclonal antibody, a multivalent antibody, a conjugated antibody, or a chimeric antibody.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody is of the IgG class, the IgM class, or the IgA class.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody is a full-length antibody.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody is an scFv.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the antibody of claim 1.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

A vector comprising the nucleic acid of claim 8.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

An isolated host cell comprising the nucleic acid of claim 8.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

A method of producing an antibody that binds to human MerTK, the method comprising culturing the cell of claim 10 so that the antibody is produced.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

### Claim 13 (depends on 2)

The antibody of claim 2, wherein the antibody comprises (a) a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:466 or 464 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:472; (b) a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:467, 465, 468, or 469 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:472; (c) a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:422, 423, 424, 425, or 426 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:430; (d) a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:440, 441, 442, 443, 444, or 445 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:448; or (e) a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:413, 414, 415, 416, 417, or 418 and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:421.

### Claim 14 (depends on 2)

The antibody of claim 2, wherein the antibody reduces efferocytosis by a phagocytic cell, reduces binding of ProS to MerTK, reduces binding of Gas6 to MerTK, reduces binding of ProS to MerTK and reduces the binding of Gas6 to MerTK, reduces Gas6-mediated phosphorylation of AKT, and/or increases or induces M1-like macrophage polarization.

### Claim 15 (depends on 2)

The antibody of claim 2, wherein the antibody is a murine antibody, a humanized antibody, a bispecific antibody, a monoclonal antibody, a multivalent antibody, a conjugated antibody, or a chimeric antibody.

### Claim 16 (depends on 2)

The antibody of claim 2, wherein the antibody is of the IgG class, the IgM class, or the IgA class.

### Claim 17 (depends on 2)

The antibody of claim 2, wherein the antibody is a full-length antibody.

### Claim 18 (depends on 2)

The antibody of claim 2, wherein the antibody is an scFv.

### Claim 19 (depends on 2)

An isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the antibody of claim 2.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

A vector comprising the nucleic acid of claim 19.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

An isolated host cell comprising the nucleic acid of claim 19.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

A method of producing an antibody that binds to human MerTK, the method comprising culturing the cell of claim 21 so that the antibody is produced.

### Claim 23 (depends on 2)

A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody of claim 2 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.