Leptin receptor agonist antibody as monotherapy or combination therapy to treat obesity

Claims

The leptin receptor (LEPR) is a single-pass transmembrane receptor belonging to the cytokine receptor family. Secreted leptin ligand binds to LEPR and activates downstream intracellular signaling cascades. Leptin and LEPR play a critical role in the regulation of body weight. The antibodies described herein have agonist activity against LEPR and can therefore be used as therapeutic agents to treat obesity.

1. A leptin receptor-binding antibody (LEPR), wherein the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region (HV) and a light chain variable region (LV), wherein the HV comprises heavy chain complementarity-determining regions (HCDRs) HCDR1, HCDR2, and HCDR3, and the LV comprises light chain complementarity-determining regions (LCDRs) LCDR1, LCDR2, and LCDR3, wherein a) HCDR1 comprises sec. with ident. no.: 7, b) HCDR2 comprises sec. with ident. no.: 8, c) HCDR3 comprises sec. with ident. no.: 9, d) LCDR1 comprises sec. with ident. no.: 1 or 2, e) LCDR2 comprises sec. with ident. no.: 1 or 2, of ident.: 3, yf) LCDR3 comprises the sec. with ident. no.: 4, 5, or 6.

29. A nucleic acid comprising a sequence encoding at least one of the sequences with identity numbers: 1 - 20.

30. A vector comprising a nucleic acid of claim 29.

31. A cell comprising the vector of claim 30.

32. The cell of claim 31, wherein the cell is a mammalian cell.

33. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody of any one of claims 1-28, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent, or carrier.

34. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody of any one of claims 1-28, and a second therapeutic agent.