United Kingdom (UK)
Recombinant monoclonal antibody to THC. Manufactured using AbAb’s Recombinant Platform with variable regions (i.e. specificity) from the hybridoma THC.
Alternative Name(s) of Target: Δ9-THC; tetrahydrocannabinol; Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol; (−)-trans-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol; cannabinol; cannabis; marijuana; delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
Immunogen: The original antibody was generated by immunizing New Zealand White rabbits with a THC-KLH conjugate.
Specificity: This antibody recognises THC which is the main psychoactive substance present in cannabis (marijuana). THC acts on cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system (also present in the immune system) and by their activation brings about its psychoactive effects.
Application Notes: This anti-THC antibody presented a superior sensitivity towards parent THC (as well as its metabolites) in comparison with many other anti-THC antibodies tested in ELISA and lateral flow immunoassay (US7749772B1). As a result, this antibody might be used in THC detection methods from saliva samples, which would be a preferable, easy way of substance-abuse screening (US7749772B1). It can also be potentially utilised in the clinic to treat THC overdose (US7749772B1).
Antibody first published in:
Wang Antibody and immunoassays for determining the presence of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol. Wang, D. (2010). U.S. Patent No. 7,749,772. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. PMID:
Note on publication:
The patent describing the characterisation of this anti-THC antibody.