Screening method for identifying anti-PACAP antibodies or antibody fragments suitable for use in treating or preventing PACAP-associated photophobia or light aversion

A method of screening for an antibody or antigen binding fragment suitable for use in treating or preventing Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Peptide (PACAP)-associated photophobia or light aversion, or precluding the onset of PACAP-associated photophobia or light aversion, in a subject in need thereof,

• which method comprises:
• (i) providing at least one first test subject and at least one second test subject;
• (ii) administering PACAP to the at least one first test subject and the at least one second test subject;
• (iii) further administering to the at least one first test subject one or more anti-PACAP antibodies, or an antigen binding fragment of any of the foregoing, wherein said one or more antibodies or antigen binding fragments includes one comprising a variable heavy chain polypeptide having the heavy chain CDRs1-3 of SEQ ID NO:
• 44, 46 and 48 respectively;
• and a variable light chain polypeptide having the light chain CDRs1-3 of SEQ ID NO:
• 64, 66 and 68 respectively;
• or one comprising the variable heavy chain polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
• 42 and the variable light chain polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
• 62;
• (iv) comparing the response of the at least one first test subject and the at least one second test subject to light;
• and
• (v) based on this comparison, identifying one or more antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof that yield a decreased light aversion or decreased photophobia in the at least one first test subject as compared with the at least one second test subject, thereby identifying an antibody or antigen binding fragment suitable for use in treating or preventing PACAP-associated photophobia or light aversion, or precluding the onset of PACAP-associated photophobia or light aversion in a subject in need thereof;
• or
• which method comprises:
• (i) providing at least one first test subject and at least one second test subject;
• (ii) administering to the at least one first test subject one or more anti-PACAP antibodies, or an antigen binding fragment of any of the foregoing, wherein said one or more antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof includes one comprising a variable heavy chain polypeptide having the heavy chain CDRs1-3 of SEQ ID NO:
• 44, 46 and 48 respectively;
• and a variable light chain polypeptide having the light chain CDRs1-3 of SEQ ID NO:
• 64, 66 and 68 respectively;
• or one comprising the variable heavy chain polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
• 42 and the variable light chain polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
• 62;
• (iii) administering PACAP to the at least one first test subject and the at least one second test subject;
• (iv) comparing the response of the at least one first test subject and the at least one second test subject to light;
• and
• (v) based on this comparison, identifying antibodies or antigen binding fragments that yield decreased photophobia or decreased light aversion in the at least one first test subject as compared with the at least one second test subject, identifying an antibody or antigen binding fragment suitable for use in treating or preventing PACAP-associated photophobia or light aversion, or identifying an antibody or antigen binding fragment suitable for precluding the onset of PACAP-associated photophobia or light aversion, in a subject to be treated in need thereof.