Seeking Solutions to Advance Understanding of ADC Intracellular Trafficking

A global science and technology company is seeking innovative research collaborations and technology solutions to advance the mechanistic understanding of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) intracellular trafficking. Our client is interested in the biological processes governing the intracellular fate of ADCs and invites academic groups and biotech organizations to propose solutions, tools, or collaborative research programs that address key gaps in ADC trafficking biology. 

Approaches of Interest:

• Mechanistic insights into intracellular distribution and trafficking of antibodies and ADC components following internalization, including endosomal sorting and escape, recycling pathways, and intracellular binding partners 
• Approaches to characterize and leverage lysosome-independent and other non-canonical pathways for ADC cell internalization 
• Methods and technologies to enhance ADC internalization without increasing toxicity 
• Research addressing lysosomal biology and transport characterization. Proposals addressing transport identity, expression, activity or modulation in relation to ADC processing are of particular interest 
• Expertise in lysosomal biology and transporters without ADC application is also sought 
• Approaches that provide quantitative or spatial resolution of payload distribution at the subcellular level that influence payload retention, diffusion, or export 
• Assay-ready platforms, novel assay development capabilities, imaging/biochemical/omics methodologies, cell-based and organoid models, and computational or systems biology tools that support the above are of interest 

Out of Scope:

• ADC target discovery and antibody engineering unrelated to internalization and trafficking 
• Theoretical and computational proposals with no pathway to experimental testing 

Development Stages of Interest

• Early-stage research with strong mechanistic hypotheses and preliminary data, to more advanced platforms with validated assay capabilities are in scope. Proposals with existing experimental evidence addressing one or more of the areas outlined above will be prioritized 
• Proposals for enhancing ADC internalization should include in vivo data demonstrating no effect on animal body weight 

Submission Information and Opportunity for Collaboration

Submission of one-page, 200–300-word briefs is encouraged, along with any optional supplementary information e.g. relevant publications. This campaign is open to submissions from biotech and start-up companies. In submitting to this campaign, you confirm that your submission contains only non-confidential information. 

Our client is open to a range of collaboration opportunities, with the most appropriate outcome being decided on a case-by-case basis. Example outcomes include research collaborations, access to products or assays, and post-doctoral research funding.