Inventors:
Allan P. Jarvis - Newburyport MA
David I. Kosowsky - Newton MA
Assignee:
Damon Biotech, Inc. - Needham Heights MA
International Classification:
A61K 4502
C12P 2100
Abstract:
Disclosed is a new material having antiviral activity designated interferon epsilon. The material may be produced, for example, by exposing primary, diploid human epithelial cells to a virus and then incubating the cells under conditions in which the new interferon is produced and is secreted into the culture medium. The material is antigenically distinct from interferon alpha, interferon beta, and interferon gamma, and displays marked antiviral activity in human epithelial cells but no detectable activity in other cell types.