Catalytic antibodies (abzymes) are monoclonal antibodies that exhibit enzymatic activity. They are produced by immunizing animals with transition state analogs that mimic the intermediate of chemical reactions. Abzymes function like enzymes by binding and stabilizing the transition state, lowering the activation energy of reactions and catalyzing them. Potential applications of abzymes include treating cancer, HIV, drug detoxification, controlling obesity, and targeting unwanted protein-protein interactions. One example is an abzyme that catalytically destroys the CD4 binding site on HIV, rendering the virus inert.