Antibody Drug Conjugates

The challenge of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) development lies in their hybrid structure – bridging the traditional boundary of biologic (antibody) and small molecule (linker-warhead). Surprisingly, even after two decades of ADCs, there are few partners that can work at the chemistry-biology interface – but we can help.

• We have the facilities and experts to handle cytotoxic agents as well as synthesize using a variety of linker technologies
• Our world-class structural characterization services ensure you gain a comprehensive understanding of the physicochemical properties of your ADC and quantitative knowledge of how it binds to its targets
• Our comprehensive suite of biological assays ensure you get a complete picture of the efficacy, specificity and selectivity of your ADC

Contact us today for a confidential discussion about how we can help you progress your project.

Our approach to antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) development‍

Our expert multidisciplinary team can help you reach your next milestone and have significant experience in helping to turn their innovation (antibody, linker or small molecule) into an ADC for proof-of-principle studies.
Our expertise spans the Concept-to-Clinic roadmap and includes both ADC synthesis and structural & biological characterization. We are particularly proud of our:

• Synthetic chemistry teams – who have expertise in organic synthesis, which enables us to efficiently deliver complex linker and cytotoxic warhead chemistry required by ADC projects. Using cutting-edge bioconjugation techniques, we prepare ADCs with drug-antibody ratios (DAR) adapted to your project needs. We have experience working on the full spectrum of small molecule chemotypes (including peptides, oligosaccharides and nucleosides) and those typically encountered in ADC development such as the valine-citrulline linker and maytansinoid natural product warheads

• Biophysics team – who leverage their expertise in a range of gold-standard techniques to measure antibody-antigen, drug-target and antibody-receptor binding (SPR), DAR, PMF and glycoform profiling (MS), ADC aggregation & zeta potential (DLS), thermal denaturation (DSC) DAR, MWt, and purity (SEC MALS), and hydrophobicity (HIC)

• Biological assay teams – who evaluate the effect of your ADCs on target cells providing a time-dependent understanding of their cytotoxic activity. Additionally, the ability of ADCs to engage the immune system can be thoroughly evaluated through CDC, ADCC, and ADCP assays. These assays are conducted using our reliable platforms, which incorporate diverse readouts, including flow cytometry, fluorescence plate readers, and the IncuCyte® live-cell imaging system

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Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) in drug discovery and development

In the last several years there have been a spate of FDA approvals for the antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) modality, turning hype into reality. But the story of this medicine class has only just begun. Currently, there is limited diversity in antibody selection, bioconjugation method, linker type and cytotoxin of those ADCs currently on the market, because it is easier to recycle components than invent new ones. With the advent of new site-specific bioconjugation technology, researchers have devised ways to produce homogeneous ADCs with low DAR (drug-antibody ratio) facilitating use of less hydrophilic linkers & payloads and spurring developments in these related fields.

The use of antibodies to deliver warheads only to diseased tissue has huge potential not only for cancer but in therapeutic areas such as antibacterials. In fact, the future of antibody targeting approaches may also revolutionize the targeted protein degradation and peptide fields by offering an enhanced therapeutic window.

Take a look at our poster which describes in detail the entire ADC synthesis process and analysis of a non-proprietary ADC Trastuzumab-MC-Val-Cit-PAB-MMAE, to gain a detailed understanding of our capabilities.