Anti-influenza B virus hemagglutinin antibodies and methods of use

1. A method for treating or inhibiting influenza B virus infection in an individual in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a composition comprising an anti-hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody that specifically binds influenza B virus hemagglutinin, wherein the antibody comprises three heavy chain hypervariable regions (HVR-H1, HVR-H2, and HVR-H3) and three light chain hypervariable regions (HVR-L1, HVR-L2, and HVR-L3), wherein:

(a) HVR-H1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:63;

(b) HVR-H2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69;

(c) HVR-H3 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:77;

(d) HVR-L1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56;

(e) HVR-L2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58; and

(f) HVR-L3 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:60,

thereby treating or inhibiting influenza B virus infection in the individual.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region, wherein the heavy chain variable region comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:97, and the light chain variable region comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:91.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody comprises a heavy chain and a light chain, wherein the heavy chain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:98, and the light chain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:93.

4. The method of claim 1 , claim 2 , or claim 3 , wherein the method further comprises administering to the individual an additional therapeutic agent.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the additional therapeutic agent is a neuraminidase inhibitor, an anti-hemagglutinin antibody that binds influenza B virus hemagglutinin, or an anti-M2 antibody that binds influenza B virus M2 protein.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the additional therapeutic agent is a neuraminidase inhibitor selected from the group consisting of oseltamivir, zanamivir, amantadine, and rimatadine.

7. The method of claim 1 , claim 2 , or claim 3 , wherein the individual is a human.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the anti-hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody and the additional therapeutic agent are administered to the individual simultaneously or sequentially.

9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the additional therapeutic agent is administered to the individual prior to administration of the anti-hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody.

10. The method of claim 5 , wherein the additional therapeutic agent is administered to the individual at the same time as administration of the anti-hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody.

11. The method of claim 5 , wherein the anti-hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody is administered to the individual prior to administration of the additional therapeutic agent.

12. The method of claim 1 , claim 2 , or claim 3 , wherein the anti-hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody is administered to the individual at about 12 hours after onset of symptoms of influenza virus infection, at about 24 hours after onset of symptoms of influenza virus infection, at about 36 hours after onset of symptoms of influenza virus infection, at about 48 hours after onset of symptoms of influenza virus infection, at about 60 hours after onset of symptoms of influenza virus infection, at about 72 hours after onset of symptoms of influenza virus infection, at about 84 hours after onset of symptoms of influenza virus infection, or at about 96 hours after onset of symptoms of influenza virus infection.

13. The method of claim 1 , claim 2 , or claim 3 , wherein the anti-hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody is administered to the individual between about 24 hours and 48 hours after onset of symptoms of influenza virus infection, between about 48 hours and 72 hours after onset of symptoms of influenza virus infection, or between about 72 hours and 96 hours after onset of symptoms of influenza virus infection.

14. The method of claim 1 , claim 2 , or claim 3 , wherein the anti-hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody is administered by parenteral, intrapulmonary, or intranasal administration.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the parenteral administration is selected from the group consisting of intramuscular administration, intravenous administration, intraarterial administration, intraperitoneal administration, and subcutaneous administration.