STUTTGART, Germany I October 17, 2013 I Recombinant monoclonal antibodies are established therapeutics and a commercially very successful class of drugs. In 2012, sales of therapeutic antibodies were for the first time higher than those of therapeutic proteins (US$ 65 bln vs US$ 60 bln). Numerous technologies have been developed to improve the effector function of antibodies, with antibody-drug conjugates being the most recent successful technology. Other successful examples would be enhanced ADCC function or redirection of cytotoxic lymphocytes in bispecific molecules. However, progress in the targeting moiety of antibodies has been minor although qutie a number of novel targeting scaffolds have been created (e.g. adnectins, affibodies or anticalins, just to name a few). The smaller size of many of these molecules has been exploited for imaging purposes or for local delivery solutions. But none of them has been a scientific or commercial breakthrough.
Two recent deals of Genentech and GlaxoSmithKline with TCR company Immunocore have shed light on a new technology which seems to have matured and be ready for commercial exploitation. The unique feature of the T-cell receptor and of therapeutics utilizing the TCR as binding domain is that the TCR recognizes peptide antigens derived from intracellular proteins. Especially in cancer, intracellular proteins may represent 80% or more of malignant state-associated antigens which so far are undruggable for antibodies. Small peptides derived from intracellular protein antigens are presented on the surface of the (cancer) cell in in the context of the HLA system. Albeit HLA dependency limits the prevalence of the target in patients, personalized medicine is rather the future of cancer therapy and not the „one size fits all“ concept.
La Merie Publishing has released a new report entitled „The Engineered T-Cell Receptor in Fusion Proteins, Antibodies & Cells: Emerging Opportunities for the Biopharmaceutical Industry“ which describes chances and pitfals in exploiting the opportunities which offers the engineered T-cell receptor as integral part of fusion proteins, antibodies and cellular products. The key success factors are highlighted, the technical challenges described and solutions presented. The report can be obtained in the online store www.pipelinereview.com
SOURCE: La Merie Publishing
Post Views: 75
STUTTGART, Germany I October 17, 2013 I Recombinant monoclonal antibodies are established therapeutics and a commercially very successful class of drugs. In 2012, sales of therapeutic antibodies were for the first time higher than those of therapeutic proteins (US$ 65 bln vs US$ 60 bln). Numerous technologies have been developed to improve the effector function of antibodies, with antibody-drug conjugates being the most recent successful technology. Other successful examples would be enhanced ADCC function or redirection of cytotoxic lymphocytes in bispecific molecules. However, progress in the targeting moiety of antibodies has been minor although qutie a number of novel targeting scaffolds have been created (e.g. adnectins, affibodies or anticalins, just to name a few). The smaller size of many of these molecules has been exploited for imaging purposes or for local delivery solutions. But none of them has been a scientific or commercial breakthrough.
Two recent deals of Genentech and GlaxoSmithKline with TCR company Immunocore have shed light on a new technology which seems to have matured and be ready for commercial exploitation. The unique feature of the T-cell receptor and of therapeutics utilizing the TCR as binding domain is that the TCR recognizes peptide antigens derived from intracellular proteins. Especially in cancer, intracellular proteins may represent 80% or more of malignant state-associated antigens which so far are undruggable for antibodies. Small peptides derived from intracellular protein antigens are presented on the surface of the (cancer) cell in in the context of the HLA system. Albeit HLA dependency limits the prevalence of the target in patients, personalized medicine is rather the future of cancer therapy and not the „one size fits all“ concept.
La Merie Publishing has released a new report entitled „The Engineered T-Cell Receptor in Fusion Proteins, Antibodies & Cells: Emerging Opportunities for the Biopharmaceutical Industry“ which describes chances and pitfals in exploiting the opportunities which offers the engineered T-cell receptor as integral part of fusion proteins, antibodies and cellular products. The key success factors are highlighted, the technical challenges described and solutions presented. The report can be obtained in the online store www.pipelinereview.com
SOURCE: La Merie Publishing
Post Views: 75
