NOVEL ANTI-CMET ANTIBODY

The present invention relates to a novel divalent antibody capable of binding specifically to the human c-Met receptor and/or capable of specifically inhibiting the tyrosine kinase activity of said receptor, preferably both in a ligand-dependent and in a ligand-independent manner as well as the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences coding for said antibody. More preferably said antibody comprises a modified hinge region and exhibits an improved antagonistic activity. More particularly, the antibody according to the invention is capable of inhibiting the c-Met dimerization. The invention likewise comprises the use of said antibody as a medicament for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of cancers, preferably for cancer characterized by a ligand-independent activation of c-Met, or any pathology connected with the over expression of said receptor as well as in processes or kits for diagnosis of illnesses connected with the over-expression of c-Met. The invention finally comprises products and/or compositions comprising such an antibody in combination with other antibodies and/or chemical compounds directed against other growth factors involved in tumor progression or metastasis and/or compounds and/or anti-cancer agents or agents conjugated with toxins and their use for the prevention and/or the treatment of certain cancers.