Identification of novel anti-CD16a antibody clones for the development of effective natural killer cell engagers

ABSTRACT Natural killer (NK) cells are key players in human innate immunity. Cell engager antibody formats that recruit and activate NK cells more effectively have emerged as a promising immunotherapy approach to target cancer cells through more effective antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Monoclonal antibody drugs with ADCC activity have shown...Continue reading

Adcentrx Therapeutics Announces First Patient Dosed in the Phase 1a/b Study of ADRX-0706, a Novel ADC Targeting Nectin-4 for the Treatment of Advanced Solid Tumors

The following announcement is from Adcentrx Therapeutics. AvantGen and Adcentrx forged a partnership in 2022 to discover and develop ADRX-0706 and other antibody therapies. San Diego, CA, September 27, 2023 /PR NEWSWIRE/ — Adcentrx Therapeutics (“Adcentrx”), a biotechnology company dedicated to revolutionizing Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) therapeutics for cancer and other...

Adcentrx Therapeutics Announces FDA Clearance of Investigational New Drug Application for ADRX-0706, a Novel ADC Targeting Nectin-4 for the Treatment of Advanced Solid Tumors

The following announcement is from Adcentrx Therapeutics. AvantGen and Adcentrx forged a partnership in 2022 to discover and develop ADRX-0706 and other antibody therapies. First asset utilizing Adcentrx’s ADC platform to receive IND clearance Planned Phase 1a/1b clinical trial expected to begin in 2H 2023 SAN DIEGO, July 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/...Continue reading

A Novel BCMA Immunohistochemistry Assay Reveals a Heterogenous and Dynamic BCMA Expression Profile in Multiple Myeloma

Abstract B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a promising target for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) because the expression of this protein is largely limited to B-cell sets, plasma cells, MM, and other B-cell malignancies. Early studies assessing BCMA protein expression and localization have used insufficiently qualified immunohistochemistry assays, which...Continue reading

High-throughput screening and validation of antibodies against synaptic proteins to explore opioid signaling dynamics

Abstract Antibodies represent powerful tools to examine signal transduction pathways. Here, we present a strategy integrating multiple state-of-the-art methods to produce, validate, and utilize antibodies. Focusing on understudied synaptic proteins, we generated 137 recombinant antibodies. We used yeast display antibody libraries from the B cells of immunized rabbits, followed by...Continue reading

faq Want to learn more?

  • Why Yeast?

    Yeast, or Saccharomyces cerevisiae aka brewer’s yeast to be exact, has the best of both worlds as a model organism for drug discovery. In selecting the right model, two opposing factors are: 1) finding an organism that can be used cost-effectively and ethically, and 2) being physiologically relevant by having it as similar as humans, the intended patients. This is where yeast has all the advantages: 1) it is unicellular, grows incredibly fast at a doubling rate of 90 minutes, and is easy and safe (non-pathogenic) to culture, meanwhile 2) as a eukaryote it can properly express, fold, and glycosylate proteins such as antibodies similar to mammals.

  • Yeast is “similar” but not the same as in humans with regards to post-translation modification (PTM) of proteins such as glycosylation?

    Correct, there are slight differences in the PTM profiles of proteins expressed in yeast versus mammals. However, we recombinantly express our lead antibodies in HEK293 or CHO cells and rarely observe a loss in activity. This is in stark contrast with E. coli-based systems like phage or cell-free, where bacteria lack protein glycosylation machinery.

  • Is affinity maturation required after using one of your platforms?

    Due to our large size rationally-designed Germliner™ library collection coupled with our rapid cell sorting based screening, we consistently obtain single-digit and subnM affinity antibodies with optimal developable characteristics. Interestingly, our popular AvantGeneer affinity maturation platform has been frequently used to optimize client antibodies that were originally discovered with hybridoma and human transgenic mouse platforms.

  • My target is a GPCR. Will your platform work?

    We have had success with multi-transmembrane proteins such as GPCRs, by using virus-like-particles (VLPs), nanodiscs, and client-designed variants with increased solubility.

  • What materials should I provide?

    We typically use various amounts of biotinylated, DyLight™ 650 conjugated, and unlabeled antigens for all projects. It’s important that both labeled and unlabeled antigens are QC’ed by provider, third party, and/or AvantGen. >0.5 mg/mL concentration, >80% monomer percentage, and >90% purity. Preferred buffer is PBS and no tris-based buffers please.

    Estimated Material Amounts*

    Application Stage Discovery Affinity Maturation Rabbit mAb
    All stages 1.5-2 mg biotinylated or 2-3 mg unlabeled 0.5 mg biotinylated or 1 mg unlabeled 2 mg unlabeled and 1 mg biotinylated
    FACS and screening 0.5-1 mg biotinylated or 1-2 mg unlabeled 0.2-0.5 mg biotinylated or 0.5-1 mg unlabeled 1 mg biotinylated and 0.2 mg unlabeled
    Screening only 0.2 mg biotinylated or 0.2-0.5 mg unlabeled 0.2 mg biotinylated or 0.2-0.5 mg unlabeled 0.2-0.5 mg unlabeled

    *Assuming 50 kDa antigen. AvantGen can bioconjugate and QC as needed.

Declaration of Interest
At AvantGen, we are dedicated to pioneering research and development. We affirm that our interests align with our mission to enhance health and wellness, and declare that there are no conflicts of interest, financial and non-financial, that would affect our objectives or operations. Please see our policy here.
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