Novel Technologies or Methods for Antibody-Drug Conjugation (ADC)

A multinational pharmaceutical company is looking for novel technologies or methodologies that allow antibody-drug conjugation. Specifically, our client is interested in novel linker conjugation technologies for mAB conjugation with conventional small molecule drugs. Approaches should use novel methods that provide improved serum stability and physicochemical properties compared to conventional conjugation methods. 

Approaches of Interest

• Novel approaches for cysteine residue conjugation in the hinge region of mAb that improve on stability/physicochemical properties provided by maleimide linkers.
• Novel conjugation technologies which can preserve stability (and thus therapeutic index), without requiring extensive processing steps (the preference is for approaches with no enzymatic processing e.g. introduction of specific sequences or enzyme modification).
• Modifications to existing methods to address deconjugation are also of interest.

Approaches should show favourable analysis of serum stability and physicochemical properties of the antibody-drug conjugate (for example by Size-exclusion Chromatography (SEC) or Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography (HIC). Approaches should be an improvement on conventional methods (e.g. cysteine residue conjugation in the hinge region of mAb). Methods should focus on antibody conjugation, however related approaches (e.g. peptide conjugation) is of interest if there is evidence it can be applied to antibody-drug conjugation.

Developmental Stages of Interest:

• Opportunities should include validation of serum stability and physicochemical properties of the antibody-drug conjugate.
• Technologies already established as large-scale manufacturing processes are not of interest.

Submission Information:

Submission of one page, 200-300 word summaries of existing research and technologies is encouraged, along with any optional supplementary information e.g., relevant publications and patents. Our client is also open to receiving proposals for novel research, using this application form. In submitting to this campaign, you confirm that your submission contains only non-confidential information.

Opportunity for Collaboration:

Our client is open to a range of collaboration scenarios, with the most appropriate path determined by the needs of the opportunity. Licensing of assets is preferred, however research collaborations will be considered, and may be discussed.