Feasibility study to determine whether new generation catalytic antibodies can overcome existing limitations for future use in clinical settings.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Research into the therapeutic use of catalytic antibodies stretches back over 30 years but to date there is not a single example of success in the clinic. This is in stark contrast to the ever-expanding use of antibodies to treat a range of diseases when they are used as binders and modulators of protein function. This feasibility study aims to answer whether this imbalance can be redressed through the utilisation of novel techniques now available in antibody research (specifically improved antibody phage libraries and bispecific antibody technologies) combined with an examination of the therapeutic and commercial potential of catalytic antibodies should the primary issues of poor catalytic efficiency and selectivity as compared to the natural enzymes be addressed. As a test case we have chosen to try and make catalytic antibodies that share the therapeutically useful properties of streptococcal IgG endopeptidase but lack the enzyme's immunogenicity, which seriously limits its clinical potential.
Technical Summary
Research into the therapeutic use of catalytic antibodies stretches back over 30 years but to date there is not a single example of success in the clinic. This is in stark contrast to the ever-expanding use of antibodies to treat a range of diseases when they are used as binders and modulators of protein function. This feasibility study aims to answer whether this imbalance can be redressed through the utilisation of novel techniques now available in antibody research (specifically improved antibody phage libraries and bispecific antibody technologies) combined with an examination of the therapeutic and commercial potential of catalytic antibodies should the primary issues of poor catalytic efficiency and selectivity as compared to the natural enzymes be addressed. As a test case we have chosen to try and make catalytic antibodies that share the therapeutically useful properties of streptococcal IgG endopeptidase but lack the enzyme's immunogenicity, which seriously limits its clinical potential.
Planned Impact
As described in proposal submitted to TSB
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Nigel Scrutton (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | New generation catalytic antibodies were developed (commercially sensitive). Further details cannot be given due to Intellectual Property protection. |
| Exploitation Route | Outputs have been internalised into industrial partner R&D programmes for further development. |
| Sectors | Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | The outputs of the award were taken into commercial development programmes at USB (Slough) to look at the feasibility of developing antibodies as therapeutics . Details cannot be given as this is commercially sensitive |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Chemicals,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Other |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | UCB CASE |
| Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | UCB Pharma |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2015 |
| End | 09/2019 |
| Title | Catalytic Antibodies |
| Description | New methods to produce catalytic antibodies were developed that use phage technology. |
| Type Of Material | Antibody |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Outputs have been internalised into industrial partner R&D programmes for further development |
| Description | MIB Open Day Stands/Tours |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | At Institute Open Day members of research group presented exhibits on topics of enzyme catalysis, synthetic biology, light activated biology and 'proteins' in general. Also demonstrated use of laboratory equipment on lab-tours run for attending students. Event was well received by both students and their teachers and seemed to inspire interest in the subject. No defined impacts realised to date |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018 |