Anti-PD-1 antibody

Abstract

To provide new anti-PD-1 (Programmed cell death 1) antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof for therapeutic and diagnostic methods and compositions using them.SOLUTION: The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to human PD-1. In one aspect of the invention, the antibodies of the present invention do not block the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1. In one aspect of the invention, the antibodies of the present invention enhance the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1. In one aspect of the invention, the antibodies of the present invention activate the PD-1 signaling pathway. In one aspect of the invention, the antibodies of the present invention are anti-PD-1 agonist antibodies. The antibodies of the invention are useful, for example, for the treatment and / or prevention of diseases or disorders that can be alleviated by modulating the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1, in particular by activating the PD-1 pathway.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Array List This application contains a Sequence Listing that has been submitted electronically in ASCII format and is incorporated by reference in its entirety. This ASCII copy was created on April 29, 2021, is named 09-0701-WO-1_SL.txt, and is 136,527 bytes in size.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to anti-PD-1 (programmed cell death 1) antibodies for therapeutic and diagnostic uses. More specifically, anti-PD-1 antibodies and methods of use are disclosed for the treatment of various diseases or disorders characterized by cells expressing PD-1. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the anti-PD-1 antibodies are also disclosed.

[0003] Background of the Invention Programmed cell death 1, also known as PD-1 and CD279 (cluster of differentiation 279), is a cell surface receptor protein expressed primarily on T cells, but also on other immune cells. The PD-1 pathway is a key regulator in the induction and maintenance of immune tolerance. This protein functions as an "immune checkpoint" inhibitor, i.e., it acts to regulate the activity of cells in the immune system to control and limit autoimmune diseases. PD-1 has two ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, which interact with cell surface receptors. Upon binding, PD-1 induces intracellular signals that negatively regulate T cell responses. PD-1 expression is upregulated on the surface of activated T cells after T cell recognition of peripheral antigens; subsequently, elevated binding of PD-1 to PD-L1 and PD-L2 is a critical step for downstream inhibitory signaling. PD-1 has also been associated with increased Treg cell proliferation and enhanced immunosuppressive function.

[0004] Recently, it has been realized that many cancers are able to protect themselves from the immune system by modifying "immune checkpoint" inhibitors, thus evading detection. PD-1 inhibitors are a new class of drugs that block PD-1 and activate the immune system to attack tumors and treat certain types of cancer.

[0005] In contrast, defective PD-1 inhibitory function has also been implicated in the pathophysiology of immune-mediated diseases, and expression of PD-1 or its ligands may be dysregulated or completely uninvolved in certain autoimmune indications. Induction of PD-1 activation and utilization of the PD-1 / PD-L1 and / or PD-L2 axis represents an alternative approach to suppress immune responses and provide treatments for various immune and inflammatory disorders.

[0006] Thus, there is a need for therapies that induce the PD-1 pathway, enhance its suppressive function, and provide treatment for immune and inflammatory disorders controlled by the PD-1 / PD-L1 and / or PD-L2 axis. In particular, there is a need for biotherapeutics, such as antibodies, that modulate the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 or PD-L2 without blocking such interaction.

[0007] Summary of the Invention The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to human PD-1. In one embodiment of the invention, an antibody of the present invention does not block the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1. In one embodiment of the invention, an antibody of the present invention enhances the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1. In one embodiment of the invention, an antibody of the present invention activates the PD-1 signaling pathway. In one embodiment of the invention, an antibody of the present invention is an anti-PD-1 agonist antibody. The antibodies of the present invention are useful, for example, for the treatment and / or prevention of diseases or disorders that can be alleviated by modulating the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1, particularly by activating the PD-1 pathway.

[0008] In one aspect, the present invention provides anti-PD-1 antibodies, particularly monoclonal anti-PD-1 antibodies, e.g., humanized monoclonal anti-PD-1 antibodies, having one or more of the properties described herein below. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the invention bind to purified recombinant human PD-1 with high affinity, e.g., 20 nM or less, e.g., 10 nM or less, e.g., 5 nM or less. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the invention bind to purified recombinant cynomolgus monkey PD-1 with an affinity of 50 nM or less. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the invention selectively bind to PD-1, particularly human PD-1. In one aspect, the antibodies of the invention do not bind to mouse, rat, or rabbit PD-1. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the invention do not block PD-L1 binding to PD-1. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the invention enhance PD-L1 binding to PD-1. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the invention attenuate T cell activity in a functional cell assay, e.g., by inhibiting IFNγ production, inhibiting IL-17A production, or inhibiting IL-21 production. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the invention inhibit human cell accumulation in a mouse model and reduce the levels of human inflammatory cytokines in a mouse model. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the invention have favorable pharmacokinetic properties. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the invention have favorable biophysical properties, such as yield, quality, stability, or solubility. In one aspect, the invention provides antigen-binding fragments of the antibodies of the invention.

[0009] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprising: a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 48 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 49 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 50 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 56 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 57 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 59 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 165 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 166 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 165 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 166 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 165 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 167 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 88 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 89 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 90 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 91 (H-CDR3); and A light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42 (L-CDR3).

[0010] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment comprising: a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 165 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 166 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 165 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 166 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and A light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 165 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 167 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3).

[0011] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment comprising: A heavy chain variable region comprising one of the following: The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75 (H-CDR3), The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3), the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3), or The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and A light chain variable region comprising one of the following: The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3), The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3), The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 165 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 166 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3), The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 165 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 167 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3).

[0012] In one embodiment, the CDRs of an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof are defined by Chemical Computing Group (CCG) numbering.

[0013] In one embodiment, the present invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof as described above, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is a humanized antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.

[0014] In one embodiment, the present invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof as described above, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is selected from the group consisting of a monoclonal antibody, a Fab, a F(ab')2, an Fv, and an scFv.

[0015] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:108 and SEQ ID NO:92, respectively; SEQ ID NO:109 and SEQ ID NO:93, respectively; SEQ ID NO:110 and SEQ ID NO:94, respectively; SEQ ID NO:111 and SEQ ID NO:95, respectively; SEQ ID NO:112 and SEQ ID NO:96, respectively; SEQ ID NO:113 and SEQ ID NO:97, respectively; SEQ ID NO:114 and SEQ ID NO:98, respectively; SEQ ID NO:115 and SEQ ID NO:99, respectively; SEQ ID NO:116 and SEQ ID NO:100, respectively; SEQ ID NO:117 and SEQ ID NO:101, respectively; SEQ ID NO:118 and SEQ ID NO:102, respectively; SEQ ID NO:119 and SEQ ID NO:103, respectively; SEQ ID NO:120 and SEQ ID NO:104, respectively; SEQ ID NO:121 and SEQ ID NO:105, respectively; SEQ ID NO:122 and SEQ ID NO:106, respectively; and SEQ ID NO:123 and SEQ ID NO:107, respectively.

[0016] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:131, SEQ ID NO:133, SEQ ID NO:135, SEQ ID NO:137, or SEQ ID NO:139, and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:125, SEQ ID NO:127, or SEQ ID NO:129.

[0017] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 131 and SEQ ID NO: 125, respectively.

[0018] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 133 and SEQ ID NO: 127, respectively.

[0019] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 135 and SEQ ID NO: 127, respectively.

[0020] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 137 and SEQ ID NO: 129, respectively.

[0021] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 139 and SEQ ID NO: 129, respectively.

[0022] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, which comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region that have at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identity to the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:131 and SEQ ID NO:125, respectively.

[0023] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, which comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region that have at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identity to the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 133 and SEQ ID NO: 127, respectively.

[0024] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, which comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region that have at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identity to the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:135 and SEQ ID NO:127, respectively.

[0025] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, which comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region that have at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identity to the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:137 and SEQ ID NO:129, respectively.

[0026] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, which comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region that have at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identity to the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 139 and SEQ ID NO: 129, respectively.

[0027] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof described above, wherein the antibody comprises a heavy chain constant region selected from the group consisting of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgM, IgA, and IgE constant regions, e.g., human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgM, IgA, or IgE.

[0028] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody as described above, wherein the heavy chain constant region is an IgG4 heavy chain constant region with a Ser228Pro mutation.

[0029] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody as described above, wherein the heavy chain constant region is an IgG1 heavy chain constant region.

[0030] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody as described above, wherein the heavy chain constant region is an IgG1 heavy chain constant region with Leu234Ala and Leu235Ala mutations.

[0031] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof described above, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises a light chain constant region selected from the group consisting of kappa and lambda.

[0032] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody, which comprises a heavy chain and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 143 and SEQ ID NO: 141, respectively.

[0033] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody, which comprises a heavy chain and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 147 and SEQ ID NO: 145, respectively.

[0034] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody, which comprises a heavy chain and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 149 and SEQ ID NO: 145, respectively.

[0035] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody, which comprises a heavy chain and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 153 and SEQ ID NO: 151, respectively.

[0036] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody, which comprises a heavy chain and a light chain comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 155 and SEQ ID NO: 151, respectively.

[0037] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody, the antibody comprising a heavy chain and a light chain, wherein the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain consists of the amino acids set forth in SEQ ID NO: 143 and the amino acid sequence of the light chain consists of the amino acids set forth in SEQ ID NO: 141.

[0038] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody, the antibody comprising a heavy chain and a light chain, wherein the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 147 and the amino acid sequence of the light chain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 145.

[0039] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody, the antibody comprising a heavy chain and a light chain, wherein the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 149 and the amino acid sequence of the light chain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 145.

[0040] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody, the antibody comprising a heavy chain and a light chain, wherein the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153 and the amino acid sequence of the light chain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151.

[0041] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD1 antibody, the antibody comprising a heavy chain and a light chain, wherein the amino acid sequence of the heavy chain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 155 and the amino acid sequence of the light chain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151.

[0042] In one embodiment, the anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof described above is a monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.

[0043] In one embodiment, the anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof described above is a humanized antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.

[0044] In one embodiment, the anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof described above is an agonist anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.

[0045] In one embodiment, the anti-PD1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof described above binds to human PD-1 with high affinity, e.g., 20 nM or less, e.g., 10 nM or less, e.g., 5 nM or less.

[0046] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that competes for binding to PD-1 with the anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof described above. In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that competes for binding to PD-1 with Antibody A, Antibody B, Antibody C, Antibody D, or Antibody E.

[0047] In one embodiment, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof described above, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

[0048] In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof described above for use as a medicament.

[0049] In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of treating a PD-1 pathway disorder, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof described above. In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof described above for use in treating a PD-1 pathway disorder. In one embodiment, the invention provides use of an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof described above in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a PD-1 pathway disorder.

[0050] In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of modulating the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 in a human patient, comprising administering to the human patient a composition comprising an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment as described above, in an amount sufficient to activate the PD-1 pathway in the human patient. In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment as described above for use in modulating the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 in a human patient. In one embodiment, the invention provides the use of an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment as described above in the manufacture of a medicament for modulating the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 in a human patient.

[0051] In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of attenuating PD-1-expressing T cell activity in a human patient, comprising administering to the human patient a composition comprising an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment described above in an amount sufficient to down-regulate an immune response in the human patient. In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment described above for use in attenuating PD-1-expressing T cell activity in a human patient. In one embodiment, the invention provides use of an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment described above in the manufacture of a medicament for attenuating PD-1-expressing T cell activity in a human patient.

[0052] In one embodiment, in the above methods, in the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof for the above uses, or in the use of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, the disease is selected from the group consisting of systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, giant cell arteritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

[0053] In one embodiment, in the above methods, or in the use of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered parenterally, intravenously, or subcutaneously.

[0054] In one embodiment, the present invention provides isolated polynucleotides encoding the heavy chain variable region amino and / or light chain variable region described above.

[0055] In one embodiment, the invention provides isolated polynucleotides encoding the heavy and / or light chains described above.

[0056] In one embodiment, the present invention provides an expression vector comprising the polynucleotide described above.

[0057] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a host cell comprising the expression vector described above. In one embodiment, the host cell is a mammalian cell.

[0058] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for producing an antibody, comprising the steps of: - culturing a host cell containing an expression vector comprising an isolated polynucleotide encoding a heavy chain variable region as described above and an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a light chain variable region as described above under conditions that allow for the production of antibodies; and - Recovering the antibody.

[0059] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for producing an antibody, comprising the steps of: - culturing a host cell containing an expression vector comprising an isolated polynucleotide encoding the heavy chain described above and an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the light chain described above under conditions that allow the formation of antibodies; and - Recovering the antibody.

[0060] In one embodiment, the method further comprises purifying the antibody. In one embodiment, the method further comprises formulating the antibody into a pharmaceutical composition.

[0061] In one embodiment, the invention provides a multispecific antibody comprising a first anti-PD-1 agonist antigen-binding site and a second antigen-binding site.

[0062] In one embodiment, the second antigen-binding site is an anti-CD48 binding site, an anti-CD-2 binding site, an anti-CD11a binding site, or an anti-CD3 binding site.

[0063] In one embodiment, the first anti-PD-1 agonist antigen-binding site comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region described above.

[0064] In one embodiment, the multispecific antibody is a bispecific antibody. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0065] [Figure 1] Figure 1: Selectivity of anti-PD-1 antibodies for human PD-1 protein in cell-based assays assessed by flow cytometry. MFI stands for "mean fluorescence intensity." [Figure 2] Figure 2: Competitive binding assay of human PD-1-Fc binding to human PD-L1-Fc. Sensorgram depicting the binding curve of 25 nM PD-1-Fc to PD-L1-Fc amine bound to the GLM chip surface (Figure 2A). Sensorgram of antibody C, MK-3475, and PD1AB-6-4P (500 nM) premixed with 25 nM PD-1-Fc binding to PD-L1-Fc amine bound to the GLM chip surface (Figure 2B). [Figure 3]Figure 3: Enhanced binding of PD-L1 to PD-1 in the presence of anti-PD-1 agonist antibodies. PD-1-biotin:PD-L1 interaction assay (Figure 3A). CHO PD-1-PD-L1 Delphia-Eu TRF assay (Figures 3B and 3D). CHO PD-1:biotin PD-L1 binding assay (Figure 3C). In Figure 3D, individual data points are depicted only for antibody C; individual data points for the other antibodies are not depicted in Figure 3D due to their proximity to each other. POC stands for "percentage of control." [Figure 4] Figure 4: T cell functional activity in the presence of anti-PD-1 agonist antibodies or F(ab')2 fragments derived from the parental 723C2 agonist antibody (Figure 4A) or the parental agonist antibody 820C3 (Figure 4B). POC stands for "percentage of control." [Figure 5] Figure 5: Induction of PD-1 activation by MAbs against CD48 upon cross-linking. [Figure 6] Figure 6: Labeling of human pan T cells with CellTrace-Violet, activation with CD3 MAb, and analysis of cell proliferation by dilution of CellTrace. [Figure 7] Figure 7: Bispecific constructs (Figure 7A). Binding of each arm to PD-1 or CD48 demonstrated by flow cytometry of PD-1-overexpressing Jurkat cells (Figure 7B). Stimulation of human memory CD4+ T (PD1+) cells with plate-bound anti-CD3e in the presence of plate-bound PD-1 / CD48 BsAb or control antibody (Figure 7C). MFI stands for "mean fluorescence intensity."

[0066] Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention addresses the need for treatments for immune and inflammatory disorders, particularly those regulated by the PD-1 / PD-L1 and / or PD-L2 axis. To address this need, the present invention provides anti-PD-1 antibodies that do not block the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1. In one embodiment, the present invention provides antibodies that enhance the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1. In one embodiment, the antibodies of the present invention activate the PD-1 signaling pathway. In one embodiment, the antibodies of the present invention are anti-PD-1 agonist antibodies. PD-1 agonism restores immune balance by inhibiting the proliferation and effector function of autoreactive T cells in human diseases in which PD-1 is expressed but would not, or possibly may, be involved by its ligand. In one embodiment, the antibodies of the present invention are useful in treating immune and inflammatory disorders and transplant rejection. For example, the antibodies of the invention are useful for treating and / or preventing diseases or disorders that can be alleviated by modulating the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1, particularly by activating the PD-1 pathway. In one aspect, the antibodies of the invention are useful in treating and / or preventing systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, giant cell arteritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or inflammatory bowel disease.

[0067] In one aspect, the present invention provides anti-PD-1 antibodies, particularly monoclonal anti-PD-1 antibodies, e.g., humanized monoclonal anti-PD-1 antibodies, having one or more of the properties described herein below. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the present invention bind to purified recombinant human PD-1 with high affinity, e.g., 20 nM or less, e.g., 10 nM or less, e.g., 5 nM or less. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the present invention bind to purified recombinant cynomolgus monkey PD-1 with an affinity of 50 nM or less. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the present invention selectively bind to PD-1, particularly human PD-1. In one aspect, the antibodies of the present invention do not bind to mouse, rat, or rabbit PD-1. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the present invention do not block the binding of PD-L1 to PD-1. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the present invention enhance the binding of PD-L1 to PD-1. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the invention attenuate T cell activity in several functional cellular assays, as demonstrated herein below, e.g., by inhibiting IFNγ production, IL-17A production, or IL-21 production. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the invention inhibit human cell accumulation in a mouse model and reduce the levels of human inflammatory cytokines in a mouse model. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the invention have favorable pharmacokinetic properties. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the invention have favorable biophysical properties, e.g., yield, quality, stability, or solubility. These properties are demonstrated, for example, in the Examples herein below.

[0068] The generalized structure of antibodies or immunoglobulins is well known to those skilled in the art; these molecules are typically heterotetrameric glycoproteins of about 150,000 daltons, composed of two identical light (L) chains and two identical heavy (H) chains. Each light chain is covalently linked to a heavy chain by one disulfide bond to form a heterodimer, and heterotrimeric molecules are formed through covalent disulfide linkages between the two identical heavy chains of the heterodimer. The light and heavy chains are linked together by one disulfide bond, while the number of disulfide linkages between the two heavy chains varies depending on the immunoglobulin isotype. Each heavy and light chain also has regularly spaced intrachain disulfide bridges. Each heavy chain contains a variable domain (V) at its amino terminus. H = variable heavy chain), followed by three or four constant domains (C H1 , C H2 , C H3 , and C H4 ), and C H1 and C H2 Each light chain consists of two domains: an amino-terminal variable domain (V L = variable light chain) and a carboxy-terminal constant domain (C L ) V L The domain is V H domain, whereas C L The domains are generally connected via disulfide bonds to C H1 The variable domains are covalently linked to the heavy-chain variable domains. Particular amino acid residues are thought to form an interface between the light-chain variable domain and the heavy-chain variable domain (Chothia et al., 1985, J. Mol. Biol. 186:651-663; Vargas-Madrazo E, Paz-Garcia E. J. Mol. Recognit. 2003;16(3):113-120). The variable domains are sometimes referred to herein as variable regions, and the constant domains are sometimes referred to as constant regions.

[0069] Certain domains within the variable domains vary extensively among different antibodies, i.e., are "hypervariable." These hypervariable domains contain residues directly involved in the binding and specificity of each particular antibody for its particular antigenic determinant. Hypervariability in both the light and heavy chain variable domains is concentrated in three segments known as complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) or hypervariable loops (HVLs). CDRs are defined by sequence comparison in Kabat et al., 1991, In: Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., whereas HVLs are structurally defined according to the three-dimensional structure of the variable domain, as described by Chothia and Lesk, 1987, J. Mol. Biol. 196: 901-917. While these two methods result in slightly different identifications of CDRs, the structural definition is preferred. As defined by Kabat, CDR-L1 is located at approximately residues 24-34 in the light chain variable domain, CDR-L2 at approximately residues 50-56, and CDR-L3 at approximately residues 89-97; CDR-H1 is located at approximately residues 31-35 in the heavy chain variable domain, CDR-H2 at approximately residues 50-65, and CDR-H3 at approximately residues 95-102. An alternative definition of CDRs is by Chemical Computing Group (CCG) numbering (Almagro et al., Proteins 2011;79:3050-3066 and Maier et al., Proteins 2014;82:1599-1610). Heavy and light chain CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 thus define the specific intrinsic functional properties of a given antibody.

[0070] The three CDRs within each of the heavy and light chains are separated by framework regions (FRs), which contain sequences that tend to be less variable. From the amino terminus to the carboxy terminus of the heavy and light chain variable domains, the FRs and CDRs are arranged in the following order: FR1, CDR1, FR2, CDR2, FR3, CDR3, and FR4. The beta-sheet organization of the FRs largely brings the CDRs within each chain into close proximity with each other and with the CDRs of the other chain. The resulting three-dimensional structure contributes to the antigen-binding site (see Kabat et al., 1991, NIH Publ. No. 91-3242, Vol. I, pages 647-669), although not all CDR residues are necessarily directly involved in antigen binding.

[0071] FR residues and Ig constant domains are generally not directly involved in antigen binding, but contribute to antigen binding and / or mediate antibody effector functions. Some FR residues are thought to have a significant effect on antigen binding in at least three ways: by directly non-covalently binding to the epitope, by interacting with one or more CDR residues, and by influencing the interface between the heavy and light chains. The constant domains are not directly involved in antigen binding, but mediate various Ig effector functions, such as antibody participation in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP).

[0072] The light chains of vertebrate immunoglobulins are assigned to one of two clearly distinct classes, kappa (λ) and lambda (λ), based on the amino acid sequence of their constant domains. By comparison, the heavy chains of mammalian immunoglobulins are assigned to one of five major classes according to the sequence of their constant domains: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. IgG and IgA are further divided into subclasses (isotypes), e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1, and IgA2, respectively. The heavy-chain constant domains that correspond to the different classes of immunoglobulins are called α, δ, ε, and μ, respectively. The subunit structures and three-dimensional configurations of the classes of native immunoglobulins are well known.

[0073] The terms "antibody," "anti-PD-1 antibody," "humanized anti-PD-1 antibody," and "variant humanized anti-PD-1 antibody" are used herein in the broadest sense and specifically encompass monoclonal antibodies (including full-length monoclonal antibodies), multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies), antibodies with minor modifications, such as N- or C-terminal truncations, and antibody fragments, such as variable domains and other portions of antibodies that exhibit the desired biological activity, e.g., PD-1 binding.

[0074] The term "monoclonal antibody" (mAb) refers to an antibody from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies; i.e., the individual antibodies in the population are identical except for naturally occurring mutations or possible well-known changes, such as removal of the C-terminal lysine from the antibody heavy chain or post-translational modifications, such as amino acid isomerization or deamidation, methionine oxidation, or deamidation of asparagine or glutamine, which may be present in minor amounts. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, being directed against a single antigenic determinant, or "epitope." Thus, the modifier "monoclonal" indicates a substantially homogeneous population of antibodies directed against the same epitope, and is not to be construed as requiring production of the antibodies by any particular method. It should be understood that monoclonal antibodies can be made by any technique or methodology known in the art, including, for example, the hybridoma method (Kohler et al., 1975, Nature 256:495), or recombinant DNA methods known in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567), or methods for isolation of recombinantly produced monoclonals using phage antibody libraries, or using the techniques described in Clackson et al., 1991, Nature 352: 624-628, and Marks et al., 1991, J. Mol. Biol. 222: 581-597.

[0075] Chimeric antibodies consist of the heavy and light chain variable regions of an antibody from one species (e.g., a non-human mammal, such as a mouse) and the heavy and light chain constant regions of an antibody from another species (e.g., a human), and can be obtained by linking DNA sequences encoding the variable region of an antibody from a first species (e.g., a mouse) to DNA sequences for the constant region of an antibody from a second species (e.g., a human) and transforming a host with an expression vector containing the linked sequences that allow the production of the chimeric antibody. Alternatively, chimeric antibodies can also be chimeric antibodies in which one or more regions or domains of the heavy and / or light chain are identical to, homologous to, or variants of corresponding sequences in a monoclonal antibody from another immunoglobulin class or isotype, or from a consensus sequence or germline sequence. Chimeric antibodies can include fragments of such antibodies, provided that the antibody fragment exhibits the desired biological activity of the parent antibody, e.g., binding to the same epitope (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; and Morrison et al., 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81: 6851-6855).

[0076] The terms "antibody fragment," "antigen-binding fragment," "anti-PD-1 antibody fragment," "humanized anti-PD-1 antibody fragment," and "variant humanized anti-PD-1 antibody fragment" refer to a portion of a full-length anti-PD-1 antibody that retains the variable region or functional capability, e.g., specific PD-1 epitope binding. Examples of antibody fragments include, but are not limited to, Fab, Fab', F(ab')2, Fd, Fv, scFv, and scFv-Fc fragments, diabodies, linear antibodies, single-chain antibodies, minibodies, diabodies formed from antibody fragments, and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.

[0077] Antibody fragments can be obtained, for example, by treating a full-length antibody with an enzyme, such as papain or pepsin, to generate useful antibody fragments. Papain digestion is used to produce two identical antigen-binding antibody fragments, called "Fab" fragments, each with a single antigen-binding site, and a residual "Fc" fragment. The Fab fragment also contains the constant domains of the light chain and the C domain of the heavy chain. H1 Pepsin treatment yields an F(ab')2 fragment that has two antigen-binding sites and is still capable of cross-linking antigen.

[0078] Another example of an antibody fragment according to the present invention is a Fab' fragment. H1 They differ from Fab fragments by the presence of additional residues at the C-terminus of the domain, including one or more cysteines from the antibody hinge region. F(ab')2 antibody fragments are pairs of Fab' fragments linked by cysteine ​​residues in the hinge region. Other chemical couplings of antibody fragments are also known.

[0079] An "Fv" fragment contains a complete antigen recognition and binding site consisting of a dimer of one heavy- and one light-chain variable domain in tight, non-covalent association. In this configuration, the three CDRs of each variable domain interact to form a V H -V L Collectively, the six CDRs confer antigen-binding specificity to the antibody, defining an antigen-binding site on the surface of the dimer.

[0080] Antibody fragments may also include "single-chain Fv" or "scFv" fragments. "Single-chain Fv" or "scFv" antibody fragments are single-chain Fv variants comprising the VH and VL domains of an antibody, wherein these domains are present in a single polypeptide chain. Single-chain Fvs are capable of recognizing and binding to antigens. scFv polypeptides may also optionally comprise a polypeptide linker disposed between the VH and VL domains to facilitate the formation of the desired three-dimensional structure for antigen binding by the scFv (see, e.g., Pluckthun, 1994, In The Pharmacology of Monoclonal Antibodies, Vol. 113, Rosenburg and Moore eds., Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 269-315).

[0081] The antibody fragment may also form tandem Fd segments, which form a pair of antigen-binding regions (V H -C H1 -V H -C H1 ) pairs. These "linear antibodies" can be bispecific or monospecific, for example, as described in Zapata et al. 1995, Protein Eng. 8(10):1057-1062.

[0082] In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibody of the present invention is a humanized antibody or antibody fragment. A humanized antibody or humanized antibody fragment is a specific type of chimeric antibody that contains an immunoglobulin amino acid sequence variant, or a fragment thereof, capable of binding to a predetermined antigen, and that contains one or more FRs that have substantially the amino acid sequence of a human immunoglobulin and one or more CDRs that have substantially the amino acid sequence of a non-human immunoglobulin. This non-human amino acid sequence, often referred to as the "import" sequence, is typically taken from an "import" antibody domain, particularly the variable domain. Generally, a humanized antibody contains at least the CDRs or HVLs of a non-human antibody inserted between the FRs of a human heavy or light chain variable domain. Methods for antibody humanization are described, for example, by Almagro et al. (2008) Frontiers in Bioscience 13, 1619-1633 or in WO12092374 A2.

[0083] The present invention describes a specific humanized anti-PD-1 antibody containing CDRs derived from murine lead 723C2 inserted between the FRs of the heavy and light chain variable domains of human germline sequences. In addition, a cysteine ​​in the heavy chain CDR3 of murine lead 723C2 was substituted with a tyrosine in the humanized anti-PD-1 antibody derived from murine lead 723C2 ("DC" to "DY").

[0084] In one embodiment, a humanized anti-PD-1 antibody comprises substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains (e.g., contained in Fab, Fab', F(ab')2, Fabc, and Fv fragments), in which all or substantially all correspond to the CDRs of a non-human immunoglobulin; specifically, herein, the CDRs are the murine sequences of murine lead 723C2, and the FRs are the FRs of a human immunoglobulin consensus sequence or germline sequence. In another embodiment, the humanized anti-PD-1 antibody also comprises at least a portion of an immunoglobulin Fc region, typically that of a human immunoglobulin. Typically, antibodies comprise both a light chain and at least the variable domains of a heavy chain. Antibodies also comprise, where appropriate, the CDRs of the heavy chain.H1 area, hinge area, C H2 area, C H3 Area, and / or C H4 It may include one or more of the regions.

[0085] Humanized anti-PD-1 antibodies according to the invention can be selected from any immunoglobulin class (including IgM, IgG, IgD, IgA, and IgE) and any isotype (including IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1, and IgA2). For example, if it is desired that the humanized antibody exhibit cytotoxic activity, the constant domain can be a complement-fixing constant domain, and the isotype will typically be IgG1. If such cytotoxic activity is not desired, the constant domain can be of another isotype, e.g., IgG2. Alternative humanized anti-PD-1 antibodies can comprise sequences from more than one immunoglobulin class or isotype, and selecting a particular constant domain to optimize desired effector function is within the skill of the art.

[0086] In one embodiment, the constant domain of an antibody of the invention is IgG4Pro, which has one substitution mutation (Ser228Pro) that prevents Fab arm exchange. This Ser to Pro mutation is in the hinge region of the IgG4 backbone and is commonly known as Ser228Pro, although its position in the heavy chain may vary by a few amino acids depending, for example, on the length of the variable region and / or the difference in hinge length between IgG1 and IgG4. The Ser to Pro mutation in the hinge region (Cys-Pro-Ser-Cys-Pro) is referred to herein as "Ser228Pro," independently of its position in the heavy chain. In another embodiment, the constant domain of an antibody of the invention is IgG1KO, which has two mutations, Leu234Ala and Leu235Ala, in the hinge region to reduce effector function (ADCC).

[0087] The FRs and CDRs, or HVLs, of a humanized anti-PD-1 antibody need not correspond exactly to the parental sequences. For example, one or more residues in an imported CDR or HVL, or consensus or germline FR sequence, can be altered (e.g., mutagenized) by substitution, insertion, or deletion such that the resulting amino acid residue is no longer identical to the original amino acid residue at the corresponding position in either parental sequence, but the antibody nevertheless retains its ability to bind to PD-1. Such alterations are typically conservative rather than extensive. Usually, at least 75% of the humanized antibody residues will correspond to those in the parental consensus or germline FR and CDR sequences, more often at least 90%, and most frequently greater than 95%, or greater than 98%, or greater than 99%.

[0088] Immunoglobulin residues that affect the interface between the heavy and light chain variable regions (the "VL-VH interface") are those that affect the proximity or orientation of the two chains relative to one another. Specific residues that may be involved in interchain interactions include VL residues 34, 36, 38, 44, 46, 87, 89, 91, 96, and 98 and VH residues 35, 37, 39, 45, 47, 91, 93, 95, 100, and 103 (using the numbering system set forth in Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., 1987)). U.S. Patent No. 6,407,213 also discusses that residues such as VL residues 43 and 85 and VH residues 43 and 60 may also be involved in this interaction. While these residues are listed for human IgG only, they are applicable across species. Key antibody residues that are reasonably expected to be involved in interchain interactions are selected for substitution into the consensus sequence.

[0089] The terms "consensus sequence" and "consensus antibody" refer to an amino acid sequence comprising the amino acid residue that occurs most frequently at each position among all immunoglobulins of any particular class, isotype, or subunit structure, e.g., human immunoglobulin variable domains. A consensus sequence can be based on immunoglobulins of a particular species or among many species. A "consensus" sequence, structure, or antibody, including the consensus human sequence described in certain embodiments, is understood to refer to an amino acid sequence comprising the amino acid residue that occurs most frequently at each position among all human immunoglobulins of any particular class, isotype, or subunit structure. Thus, a consensus sequence includes an amino acid sequence having an amino acid present in one or more known immunoglobulins at each position, but it may not exactly duplicate the entire amino acid sequence of any single immunoglobulin. A variable region consensus sequence is not derived from any naturally occurring antibody or immunoglobulin. Kabat et al., 1991, Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. (National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, Bethesda, MD), and variants thereof. The FRs of the heavy and light chain consensus sequences, and variants thereof, provide useful sequences for preparing humanized anti-PD-1 antibodies. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 6,037,454 and 6,054,297.

[0090] Human germline sequences are naturally found in the human population. The combination of these germline genes generates antibody diversity. Germline antibody sequences for antibody light chains are derived from the conserved human germline kappa or lambda v and j genes. Similarly, heavy chain sequences are derived from the germline v, d, and j genes (LeFranc, MP, and LeFranc, G, "The Immunoglobulin Facts Book" Academic Press, 2001).

[0091] An "isolated" antibody is one that has been identified and / or separated from components of its natural environment. Contaminant components of the antibody's natural environment are substances that may interfere with diagnostic or therapeutic uses for the antibody, and may be enzymes, hormones, or other proteinaceous or non-proteinaceous solutes. In one aspect, the antibody is purified to isolate at least 95% by weight of the antibody, for example, at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or greater than 99% purified.

[0092] Isolated antibody includes the antibody in situ within the recombinant cell in which it is produced since at least one component of the antibody's natural environment will not be present. Ordinarily, however, isolated antibody will be prepared by at least one purification step in which recombinant cell material is removed.

[0093] The term "antibody performance" as used in accordance with the present invention refers to factors / properties that contribute to antibody recognition of an antigen or the effectiveness of an antibody in vivo. Changes in the amino acid sequence of an antibody can affect antibody properties, such as folding, as well as physical factors, such as the initial rate of antibody binding to an antigen (k a ), the dissociation constant of the antibody from the antigen (k d ), the affinity constant of the antibody for the antigen (K d ), which can affect the three-dimensional structure of the antibody, protein stability, and antibody half-life.

[0094] The term "agonist antibody" or "agonistic antibody," as used in accordance with the present invention, refers to an antibody that, upon binding to PD-1, induces at least one biological activity induced by the PD-1 ligand PD-L1. In one aspect, the induction is statistically significant when compared to the induction in the absence of the agonistic antibody. In one aspect, an antibody is an agonistic antibody if at least one biological activity is induced by at least about 20%, 30%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% greater than in the absence of the agonistic antibody, e.g., as measured as in one of the Examples described herein below. In some embodiments, an "agonistic antibody" enhances the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1. Exemplary assays for detecting PD-1 agonist properties are described herein or known in the art.

[0095] "Multispecific" refers to a protein, such as an antibody, that specifically binds to two or more distinct antigens or two or more distinct epitopes within the same antigen.

[0096] "Bispecific" refers to a protein, such as an antibody, that specifically binds to two separate antigens or two separate epitopes within the same antigen.

[0097] In some embodiments, the antibodies of the present invention that specifically bind to PD-1 or antigen-binding fragments thereof are bispecific antibodies. In some embodiments, the antibodies of the present invention or antigen-binding fragments thereof are multispecific antibodies. The monospecific antibodies that specifically bind to PD-1 provided herein may be engineered into bispecific antibodies, which are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0098] Full-length bispecific antibodies are antibodies that support heterodimerization of two antibody half molecules with distinct specificities, e.g., in vitro in a cell-free environment or using co-expression, with the heavy chain C in each half molecule. H3Fab arm exchange (e.g., half molecule exchange, exchange of one heavy-light chain pair) between two monospecific bivalent antibodies may be used to introduce substitutions at the interface. The Fab arm exchange reaction is the result of disulfide bonds.

[0099] Bispecific antibodies have also been developed using various techniques, such as Triomab / Quadroma (Trion Pharma / Fresenius Biotech), Knob-in-Hole (Genentech), CrossMAbs (Roche) and electrostatically induced C H3 Interact (Chugai, Amgen, NovoNordisk, Oncomed), LUZ-Y (Genentech), Strand Exchange Engineered Domain body (SEEDbody) (EMD Serono), Biclonic (Merus), and DuoBody® Products (Genmab A / S), among others.

[0100] For example, bispecific PD-1 / CD2, bispecific PD-1 / CD48, bispecific PD-1 / CD11a or PD-1 / CD3 antibodies can be generated using the VH / VL domains of the PD-1 antibodies described herein, or any VH / VL region of a published anti-PD-1 agonist antibody and any VH / VL region of a published anti-CD2, anti-CD48, anti-CD11a, or anti-CD3 antibody, respectively.

[0101] Another embodiment of the invention is a bispecific antibody comprising a first domain that binds to PD-1 and a second domain that binds to CD2, CD48, CD11a, or CD3.

[0102] As used herein, the terms "identical" or "percent identity," in the context of two or more nucleic acid or polypeptide sequences, refer to two or more sequences or subsequences that are the same or have a specified percentage of identical nucleotides or amino acid residues when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence. To determine percent identity, the sequences are aligned for optimal comparison (e.g., gaps can be introduced into a first amino acid or nucleic acid sequence for optimal alignment with a second amino acid or nucleic acid sequence). The amino acid residues or nucleotides at corresponding amino acid positions or nucleotide positions are then compared. If a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid residue or nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position. The percent identity between two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences (i.e., % identity = number of identical positions / total number of positions (e.g., overlapping positions) × 100). In some embodiments, the two sequences being compared are the same length after introducing gaps into the sequences, if appropriate (e.g., excluding additional sequence that extends beyond the sequences being compared). For example, when comparing variable region sequences, leader and / or constant domain sequences are not considered. For sequence comparison between two sequences, a "corresponding" CDR refers to the CDR at the same position in both sequences (e.g., CDR-H1 in each sequence).

[0103] The determination of percent identity or percent similarity between two sequences can be achieved using a mathematical algorithm. A preferred, non-limiting example of a mathematical algorithm used to compare two sequences is the algorithm of Karlin and Altschul, 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:2264-2268, modified in Karlin and Altschul, 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-5877. Such an algorithm is incorporated into the NBLAST and XBLAST programs of Altschul et al., 1990, J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410. BLAST nucleotide searches can be performed with the NBLAST program, score=100, word length=12, to obtain nucleotide sequences homologous to the nucleic acid encoding the protein of interest. BLAST protein searches can be performed using the XBLAST program, score = 50, word length = 3, to obtain amino acid sequences homologous to the protein of interest. To obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST can be used as described in Altschul et al., 1997, Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402. Alternatively, PSI-Blast can be used to perform an iterated search that detects distant relationships between molecules (ibid.). When using BLAST, Gapped BLAST, and PSI-Blast programs, the default parameters of each program (e.g., XBLAST and NBLAST) can be used. Another preferred, non-limiting example of a mathematical algorithm used for sequence comparison is Myers and Miller, CABIOS (1989). Such an algorithm is incorporated into the ALIGN program (version 2.0), which is part of the GCG sequence alignment software package. When utilizing the ALIGN program for comparing amino acid sequences, a PAM120 weight residue table, a gap length penalty of 12, and a gap penalty of 4 can be used.Additional algorithms for sequence analysis are known in the art, including ADVANCE and ADAM, described in Torellis and Robotti, 1994, Comput. Appl. Biosci. 10:3-5; and FASTA, described in Pearson and Lipman, 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444-8. Within FASTA, ktup is a control option that sets the sensitivity and speed of the search. When ktup=2, similar regions in the two sequences being compared are found by looking at pairs of aligned residues; when ktup=1, aligned amino acids are examined. ktup can be set to 2 or 1 for protein sequences and 1 to 6 for DNA sequences. If ktup is not specified, the default is 2 for proteins and 6 for DNA. Alternatively, protein sequence alignments can be performed using the CLUSTAL W algorithm as described by Higgins et al., 1996, Methods Enzymol. 266:383-402.

[0104] A nucleic acid sequence is "operably linked" when it is placed into a functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence. For example, a nucleic acid presequence or secretory leader is operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein that participates in the secretion of the polypeptide; a promoter or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects the transcription of the sequence; or a ribosome binding site is operably linked to a coding sequence if it is positioned so as to promote translation. Generally, "operably linked" means that the DNA sequences being linked are contiguous, and, in the case of a secretory leader, contiguous and in reading frame. However, enhancers are optionally contiguous. Linking can be accomplished by ligation at convenient restriction sites. If such sites do not exist, synthetic oligonucleotide adapters or linkers can be used.

[0105] As used herein, the expressions "cell," "cell line," and "cell culture" are used interchangeably and all such designations include the progeny. Thus, "transformants" and "transformed cells" include the primary subject cell and cultures derived therefrom, without regard for the number of transfers, which may, for example, be transfected with one or more expression vectors encoding one or more amino acid sequences of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention.

[0106] The term "mammal" for purposes of treatment according to the present invention refers to any animal classified as a mammal, including humans, domestic and farm animals, and zoo, sport, or pet animals, such as dogs, horses, cats, cows, etc. Preferably, the mammal is a human.

[0107] A "disorder," as used herein, is any condition that may benefit from treatment with the anti-PD-1 antibodies described herein, particularly the humanized anti-PD-1 antibodies described herein. This includes chronic and acute disorders or diseases, including pathological conditions that predispose a mammal to the disorder in question.

[0108] As used herein, the term "PD-1 pathway disorder" or "PD-1 pathway disease" refers to a condition that can be alleviated by modulating the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1, particularly by activating the PD-1 pathway. "PD-1 pathway disorder" or "PD-1 pathway disease" includes T cell-related diseases in which PD-1 is expressed. "PD-1 pathway disorder" or "PD-1 pathway disease" also includes conditions characterized by activated autoreactive T cells that express PD-1 and are drivers of chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases, in which attenuation of PD-1-expressing T cell activity and / or downregulation of the immune response is desirable. Examples of PD-1 pathway disorders include diseases or disorders such as systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, giant cell arteritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

[0109] The term "specifically binds" or the like means that the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof forms a complex with the antigen that is relatively stable under physiological conditions. Methods for determining whether two molecules specifically bind are described herein or known in the art, and include, for example, equilibrium dialysis, surface plasmon resonance, and the like. In one embodiment, specific binding is about 1 x 10 affinity binding, according to the affinity binding method described in the Examples section herein. -7 M (100 nM) or less K D In another embodiment, specific binding is characterized by about 5×10 -8 M (50 nM) or less K D In another embodiment, specific binding is characterized by about 1 x 10, according to the affinity binding method described in the Examples section herein. -8 M (10 nM) or less K D In another embodiment, specific binding is characterized by about 5×10 -9 M (5 nM) or less K D An isolated antibody that specifically binds human PD-1 may have cross-reactivity to other antigens, such as PD-1 molecules from other species. Moreover, an isolated antibody may be substantially free of other cellular material and / or chemicals.

[0110] The term "subcutaneous administration" refers to the introduction of a drug, e.g., an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, of the invention under the skin of an animal or human patient, preferably into a pocket between the skin and the underlying tissue, by relatively slow, sustained delivery from a drug reservoir. The pocket can be created by pinching or pulling the skin away from the underlying tissue.

[0111] The term "subcutaneous infusion" refers to the introduction of a drug, e.g., an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, of the present invention, under the skin of an animal or human patient, preferably into the pocket between the skin and the underlying tissue, by relatively slow, sustained delivery from a drug reservoir over a period of time, including, but not limited to, 30 minutes or less, or 90 minutes or less. Optionally, the infusion may be performed by subcutaneous implantation of a drug delivery pump implanted under the skin of the animal or human patient, which delivers a predetermined amount of drug over a predetermined period of time, such as 30 minutes, 90 minutes, or a period spanning the length of a treatment regimen.

[0112] The term "subcutaneous bolus" refers to drug administration beneath the skin of an animal or human patient, wherein the bolus drug delivery is in less than about 15 minutes; in another embodiment, less than 5 minutes, and in yet another embodiment, less than 60 seconds. In yet another embodiment, administration is into a pocket between the skin and the underlying tissue, wherein the pocket may be created by pinching or pulling the skin away from the underlying tissue. For example, a "subcutaneous bolus" refers to administration of an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention to a human patient in less than about 15 minutes; in another embodiment, less than 5 minutes, and in yet another embodiment, less than 60 seconds.

[0113] The term "therapeutically effective amount" is used to refer to an amount of an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that relieves or ameliorates one or more of the symptoms of the disorder being treated. In doing so, it is an amount that has a beneficial patient outcome. Efficacy can be measured in conventional ways, depending on the condition being treated.

[0114] The terms "treatment," "therapy," and the like, as used herein, are meant to include therapeutic as well as prophylactic or preventative measures for a disease or disorder that lead to a clinically desirable or beneficial effect, including, but not limited to, reduction or alleviation of one or more symptoms, and regression, slowing, or halting the progression of the disease or disorder. Thus, for example, the term "treatment" includes administration of an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof before or after the onset of symptoms of the disease or disorder, thereby preventing or eliminating one or more signs of the disease or disorder. As another example, the term includes administration of an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof after the clinical manifestation of the disease to combat symptoms of the disease. Furthermore, administration of an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof after onset and after the development of clinical symptoms, where administration affects clinical parameters of the disease or disorder, such as the degree of tissue damage or the amount or extent of metastases, includes "treatment" or "therapy" as used herein, regardless of whether the treatment leads to disease remission. Furthermore, so long as the compositions of the invention, alone or in combination with another therapeutic agent, reduce or ameliorate at least one symptom of the disorder being treated compared to the symptom in the absence of use of the anti-PD-1 antibody composition or antigen-binding fragment thereof, the result should be considered effective treatment of the underlying disorder, regardless of whether all symptoms of the disorder are alleviated.

[0115] The term "package insert" is used to refer to instructions customarily included in commercial packaging of therapeutic products, which contain information regarding the indications, usage, administration, contraindications, and / or warnings regarding the use of such therapeutic products.

[0116] antibody

[0117] Described and disclosed herein are anti-PD-1 antibodies, particularly humanized anti-PD-1 antibodies, as well as compositions and articles of manufacture comprising the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the invention. Also described are antigen-binding fragments of the anti-PD-1 antibodies. The anti-PD-1 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof can be used in the treatment of a variety of diseases or disorders, particularly diseases or disorders characterized by activated autoreactive T cells that express PD-1 and are drivers of chronic inflammation and autoimmune disease. The anti-PD-1 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof each contain at least a portion that specifically recognizes a PD-1 epitope. In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention are agonistic anti-PD-1 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof.

[0118] The generation of anti-PD-1 antibodies according to the present invention and their characterization are described in the Examples. For initial characterization, the anti-PD-1 chimeric lead 723C2 was selected based on its superior antibody performance, as described, for example, in the Examples below. A library of variants was generated by placing the CDRs of the chimeric lead into the FRs of human consensus heavy and light chain variable domains and further engineering the FRs with different modifications. In addition, a cysteine ​​in the heavy chain CDR3 of murine lead 723C2 was substituted with a tyrosine in a humanized anti-PD-1 antibody derived from murine lead 723C2 ("DC" to "DY"). The change from "DC" to "DY" had no effect on the pharmacological properties of the antibody. The process for producing the humanized antibody is described in the Examples.

[0119] The amino acid sequences of the variable regions of representative murine leads are shown in Tables 1 and 2. The CDR regions of these murine leads and the CDR regions of engineered variants of lead 723C2 are shown in Tables 3 and 4. [Table 1] TIFF0007777632000002.tif72161 [Table 2] TIFF0007777632000004.tif72161

[0120] The murine light and heavy chain CDRs of various murine antibodies are shown in Tables 3 and 4, respectively. Tables 3 and 4 also show the three light chain CDRs and three heavy chain CDRs derived from murine antibody 723C2 through the humanization process. [Table 3] TIFF0007777632000006.tif55161 [Table 4] TIFF0007777632000008.tif55161

[0121] The CDRs listed in Tables 3 and 4 above are defined using Chemical Computing Group (CCG) numbering.

[0122] A representative number of humanized light and heavy chain variable regions derived from murine antibody 723C2 are provided in Tables 5 and 6. [Table 5] [Table 6] TIFF0007777632000011.tif78161

[0123] Selected combinations of humanized light and heavy chain variable regions derived from murine antibody 723C2 resulted in antibodies A, B, C, D, and E: Antibody A: 723C2-IgG4Pro-463-60 with IgK-463-60 (heavy chain variable region 723C2VH-463-60 and light chain variable region 723C2VK-463-60); Antibody B: 723C2-IgG4Pro-461-41 with IgK-462-07 (heavy chain variable region 723C2VH-461-41 and light chain variable region 723C2VK-462-07); Antibody C: 723C2-IgG4Pro-461-47 with IgK-462-07 (heavy chain variable region 723C2VH-461-47 and light chain variable region 723C2VK-462-07); Antibody D: 723C2-IgG4Pro-461-44 with IgK-462-08 (heavy chain variable region 723C2VH-461-44 and light chain variable region 723C2VK-462-08); Antibody E: 723C2-IgG4Pro-461-40 with IgK-462-08 (heavy chain variable region 723C2VH-461-40 and light chain variable region 723C2VK-462-08).

[0124] Antibodies A, B, C, D, and E have the heavy and light chain sequences shown in Table 7. [Table 7] TIFF0007777632000013.tif225161 TIFF0007777632000014.tif225161 TIFF0007777632000015.tif222161 TIFF0007777632000016.tif223161 TIFF0007777632000017.tif225161 TIFF0007777632000018.tif225161 TIFF0007777632000019.tif225161 TIFF0007777632000020.tif90161

[0125] The light and heavy chain variable regions of antibodies A, B, C, D, and E are underlined in Table 7. The hinge region in the heavy chain constant region is shown in bold, and the Ser228Pro mutation is boxed.

[0126] The mouse lead 723C2 has also been converted to human IgG1WT, IgG1KO, and IgG4Pro formats. IgG4Pro has one mutation, Ser228Pro, in the hinge region, which prevents Fab arm exchange. IgG1KO has two mutations, Leu234Ala and Leu235Ala, in the hinge region to reduce effector function (ADCC).

[0127] Chimeric 723C2 in human IgG1WT, IgG1KO, and IgG4Pro formats is shown in Table 8. [Table 8] TIFF0007777632000022.tif218161 TIFF0007777632000023.tif225161 TIFF0007777632000024.tif225161 TIFF0007777632000025.tif79161 The amino acids corresponding to the DC to DY change in H-CDR3 are underlined in the amino acid sequence in Table 8.

[0128] Humanized and amino acid sequence variants

[0129] Additional variant anti-PD-1 antibodies and antibody fragments can be engineered based on the sets of CDRs depicted in Tables 3 and 4. It should be understood that in variant anti-PD-1 antibodies and antibody fragments, the amino acid sequences of the CDRs remain unchanged, but surrounding regions, such as the FR regions, can be engineered. Amino acid sequence variants of anti-PD-1 antibodies can be prepared by introducing appropriate nucleotide changes into the anti-PD-1 antibody DNA or by peptide synthesis. Such variants include, for example, deletions from, and / or insertions into and / or substitutions of, residues within the amino acid sequences of the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the Examples herein. Any combination of deletions, insertions, and substitutions can be made to arrive at the final construct, provided that the final construct possesses the desired characteristics. Amino acid changes can also modify post-translational processing of the humanized or variant anti-PD-1 antibodies (e.g., by changing the number or position of glycosylation sites).

[0130] In some embodiments, the invention includes anti-PD-1 antibodies or antibody fragments thereof having variable heavy chains and variable light chains, wherein the variable heavy chain amino acid sequences and variable light chain amino acid sequences are at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 92.5%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to the amino acid sequences disclosed in Tables 1, 2, 5, and 6.

[0131] In some embodiments, the invention comprises anti-PD-1 antibodies or antibody fragments thereof having variable heavy chains and variable light chains, wherein the variable heavy chain amino acid sequences and variable light chain amino acid sequences are at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 92.5%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 131, 133, 135, 137, or 139, and SEQ ID NOs: 125, 127, or 129, respectively.

[0132] In some embodiments, the invention includes anti-PD-1 antibodies having heavy and light chains, wherein the heavy and light chain amino acid sequences are at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to the amino acid sequences disclosed in Tables 7 and 8.

[0133] Another type of amino acid variant of an antibody involves altering the original glycosylation pattern of the antibody. The term "alter" in this context means deleting one or more sugar moieties found in the antibody and / or adding one or more glycosylation sites not previously present in the antibody. For example, an antibody may contain an amino acid substitution at position 297 of the human IgG1 heavy chain to prevent oligosaccharyltransferase enzyme complex-mediated glycosylation by substituting asparagine 297 (e.g., N297A, N297G).

[0134] In some aspects, the present invention includes nucleic acid molecules encoding amino acid sequence variants of the anti-PD-1 antibodies described herein. Nucleic acid molecules encoding amino acid sequence variants of anti-PD-1 antibodies are prepared by a variety of methods known in the art. These methods include, but are not limited to, isolation from natural sources (in the case of naturally occurring amino acid sequence variants) or preparation by oligonucleotide-mediated (or site-directed) mutagenesis, PCR mutagenesis, and cassette mutagenesis of an initially prepared variant or non-variant version of an anti-PD-1 antibody. For example, nucleic acid molecules according to the present invention also encompass nucleic acid molecules that hybridize to the nucleic acid molecules disclosed herein under stringent conditions; thereby, the term "stringent conditions" within the scope of the present invention can include, for example, hybridization in a buffer containing 50% formamide, 5xSSC, and 1% SDS at 42°C, or in a buffer containing 5xSSC and 1% SDS at 65°C (both washed with 0.2xSSC and 0.1% SDS). Exemplary stringent hybridization conditions also include hybridization in a buffer of 40% formamide, 1 M NaCl, and 1% SDS at 37°C, and a wash in 1×SSC at 45°C.

[0135] In certain embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody is an antibody fragment. Techniques have been developed for the production of antibody fragments. Fragments can be derived via proteolytic digestion of intact antibodies (see, e.g., Morimoto et al., 1992, Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods 24:107-117; and Brennan et al., 1985, Science 229:81). Alternatively, fragments can be produced directly in recombinant host cells. For example, Fab'-SH fragments can be directly recovered from E. coli and chemically coupled to form F(ab')2 fragments (see, e.g., Carter et al., 1992, Bio / Technology 10:163-167). By another approach, F(ab')2 fragments can be directly isolated from recombinant host cell culture. Other techniques for the production of antibody fragments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0136] In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof can include modifications, such as glycosylation or deamidation.

[0137] In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to use an anti-PD-1 antibody fragment rather than an intact antibody. It may be desirable to modify the antibody fragment to increase its serum half-life. This can be achieved, for example, by incorporating a salvage receptor-binding epitope into the antibody fragment. In one approach, appropriate regions of the antibody fragment can be altered (e.g., mutated), or the epitope can be incorporated into a peptide tag, which is then fused to the antibody fragment at either end or in the middle, for example, by DNA or peptide synthesis. See, e.g., WO 96 / 32478. For example, the antibody fragments of the present invention may be fused to human serum albumin to increase serum half-life when the use of a full-length IgG1 scaffold is undesirable. Such fusion proteins of an antibody fragment and human serum albumin may be advantageous in situations where it is necessary to fuse two different antibody fragments to increase avidity or to generate a bispecific binding protein with an extended serum half-life (see, e.g., WO 05077042 A2).

[0138] In other embodiments, the invention includes covalent modifications of anti-PD-1 antibodies. Covalent modifications include modifications of cysteinyl, histidyl, lysinyl, and amino-terminal residues, arginyl, tyrosyl, carboxyl side groups (aspartyl or glutamyl), glutaminyl, and asparaginyl residues, or seryl or threonyl residues. Another type of covalent modification involves chemically or enzymatically coupling glycosides to the antibody. Such modifications can be made by chemical synthesis or by enzymatic or chemical cleavage of the antibody, where applicable. Other types of covalent modifications of antibodies can be introduced into the molecule by reacting targeted amino acid residues of the antibody with organic derivatizing agents that are capable of reacting with selected side chains or the amino- or carboxy-terminal residues.

[0139] Removal of any sugar moieties present on the antibody can be accomplished chemically or enzymatically. Chemical deglycosylation is described by Hakimuddin et al., 1987, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 259:52 and by Edge et al., 1981, Anal. Biochem., 118:131. Enzymatic cleavage of sugar moieties on the antibody can be achieved through the use of a variety of endo- and exoglycosidases, as described by Thotakura et al., 1987, Meth. Enzymol 138:350.

[0140] Another type of useful covalent modification involves linking the antibody to one of a variety of nonproteinaceous polymers, such as polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, or polyoxyalkylenes, in the manner set forth in one or more of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,640,835, 4,496,689, 4,301,144, 4,670,417, 4,791,192, and 4,179,337.

[0141] Epitope Binding

[0142] In another aspect, the present invention relates to specific "PD-1 antigenic epitopes" and antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that recognize "PD-1 epitopes."

[0143] As used herein, the terms "PD-1 antigenic epitope" and "PD-1 epitope" refer to a molecule (e.g., a peptide) or fragment of a molecule capable of binding to an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. These terms further include, for example, a PD-1 antigenic determinant recognized by any of the antibodies or antibody fragments of the invention.

[0144] PD-1 antigen epitopes can be contained in proteins, protein fragments, peptides, etc. Epitopes are most commonly proteins, short oligopeptides, oligopeptide mimetics (i.e., organic compounds that mimic the antibody binding properties of the PD-1 antigen), or combinations thereof.

[0145] In one aspect, the anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention specifically bind to a PD-1 epitope in a manner that mimics the binding of a physiological ligand, resulting in antibody-mediated agonism.

[0146] The present invention also provides anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that compete with the anti-PD-1 antibodies of the present invention for binding to PD-1. In one embodiment, the present invention provides anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that compete with any one of Antibody A, Antibody B, Antibody C, Antibody D, or Antibody E described herein for binding to PD-1. Competition assays may be performed, for example, as described in PLoS One.2014;9(3):e92451, or PLoS One2020 Mar 5;15(3):e0229206 using a biosensor, or by the methods disclosed herein.

[0147] Therapeutic Use

[0148] In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention are useful for treating or preventing PD-1 pathway disorders.

[0149] In another embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention are useful as pharmaceuticals.

[0150] Accordingly, in one embodiment, the invention provides a method of modulating the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 in a human patient, comprising administering to the human patient a composition comprising an anti-PD-1 antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, according to the invention in an amount sufficient to activate the PD-1 pathway in the human patient. In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD-1 antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, according to the invention for use in modulating the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 in a human patient. In one embodiment, the invention provides the use of an anti-PD-1 antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, according to the invention in the manufacture of a medicament for modulating the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 in a human patient.

[0151] In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of attenuating PD-1-expressing T cell activity in a human patient, comprising administering to the human patient a composition comprising an anti-PD-1 antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, according to the invention in an amount sufficient to down-regulate an immune response in the human patient. In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD-1 antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, according to the invention for use in attenuating PD-1-expressing T cell activity in a human patient. In one embodiment, the invention provides use of an anti-PD-1 antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, according to the invention in the manufacture of a medicament for attenuating PD-1-expressing T cell activity in a human patient.

[0152] In one embodiment, the disease or disorder of the PD-1 pathway is systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, giant cell arteritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or inflammatory bowel disease. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the invention provides a method of treating or preventing systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, giant cell arteritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or inflammatory bowel disease in a human patient, comprising administering to the human patient a composition comprising an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to the invention. In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to the invention for use in treating or preventing systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, giant cell arteritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or inflammatory bowel disease in a human patient. In one embodiment, the invention provides use of an anti-PD-1 antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, according to the invention in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, giant cell arteritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or inflammatory bowel disease in a human patient.

[0153] In one embodiment, the disease or disorder of the PD-1 pathway is chronic or acute, such as a chronic inflammatory disease or an acute inflammatory disease. In one embodiment, the disease or disorder of the PD-1 pathway is arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, COPD, pelvic inflammatory disease, Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Peyronie's disease, celiac disease, gallbladder disease, pilonidal disease, peritonitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, vasculitis, surgical adhesions, stroke, type 1 diabetes, Lyme disease, meningoencephalitis, autoimmune uveitis, multiple sclerosis, lupus (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus), Guillain-Barr syndrome, atopic dermatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, fibrosing alveolitis, pulmonary tuberculosis ... Sedow's disease, IgA nephropathy, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Meniere's disease, pemphigus, primary biliary cirrhosis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, Wegener's granulomatosis, other autoimmune diseases, pancreatitis, trauma (surgery), graft-versus-host disease, transplant rejection, heart disease (including ischemic diseases such as myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis), intravascular coagulation, bone resorption, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, periodontitis and hypochlorhydria, infertility related to lack of feto-maternal tolerance, Sjogren's syndrome, vitiligo, myasthenia gravis, or systemic sclerosis.

[0154] Accordingly, in one embodiment, the invention provides a method of treating or preventing one of the above diseases or disorders in a human patient, comprising administering to the human patient a composition comprising an anti-PD-1 antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, according to the invention. In one embodiment, the invention provides an anti-PD-1 antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, according to the invention for use in treating or preventing one of the above diseases or disorders in a human patient. In one embodiment, the invention provides use of an anti-PD-1 antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, according to the invention in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing one of the above diseases or disorders in a human patient.

[0155] In one aspect, the PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof for or in the uses or methods described above is an agonist anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.

[0156] Non-therapeutic uses

[0157] The antibodies described herein are useful as affinity purification agents. In this process, the antibodies are immobilized on a solid phase, such as a protein A resin, using methods well known in the art. The immobilized antibody is contacted with a sample containing the PD-1 protein (or fragment thereof) to be purified, and the support is then washed with a suitable solvent that removes substantially all material in the sample except for the PD-1 protein bound to the immobilized antibody. Finally, the support is washed with another suitable solvent that releases the PD-1 protein from the antibody.

[0158] The anti-PD-1 antibodies and fragments thereof of the invention disclosed herein are also useful in diagnostic assays for detecting and / or quantitating PD-1 protein, e.g., in detecting PD-1 expression in specific cells, tissues, tissues, or serum.

[0159] In some embodiments, for example, for diagnostic purposes, it is advantageous to label an antibody with a detectable moiety. Numerous detectable labels are available, including radioisotopes, fluorescent labels, enzyme substrate labels, quantum dots, and the like. The label may be indirectly conjugated to the antibody using various known techniques. For example, the antibody can be conjugated with biotin, and any of the three broad categories of labels mentioned above can be conjugated with avidin, or vice versa. Biotin selectively binds to avidin, and thus the label can be conjugated to the antibody in this indirect manner. Alternatively, to achieve indirect conjugation of the label to the antibody, the antibody can be conjugated with a small hapten (e.g., digoxin), and one of the different types of labels mentioned above is conjugated to an anti-hapten antibody (e.g., anti-digoxin antibody). In this manner, indirect conjugation of the label to the antibody can be achieved.

[0160] Exemplary radioisotope labels include: 35 S, 14 C.125 I, 3 H, and 131 I. The antibody can be labeled with a radioisotope using, for example, the techniques described in Current Protocols in Immunology, Volumes 1 and 2, 1991, Coligen et al., Ed. Wiley-Interscience, New York, NY, Pubs. Radioactivity can be measured, for example, by scintillation counting.

[0161] Exemplary fluorescent labels include labels derived from rare earth chelates (europium chelates), or fluorescein and its derivatives, rhodamine and its derivatives, dansyl, Lissamine, phycoerythrin, and Texas Red can be used, such as any of the following fluorescent labels: dialkylaminocoumarin, rhodamine isothiocyanate, Alexa 350, Alexa 430, Alexa Fluor 488, Alexa Fluor 532, Alexa Fluor 546, Alexa Fluor 568, Alexa Fluor 594, Alexa Fluor 633, Alexa Fluor 660, Alexa Fluor 680, AMCA, aminoacridine, BODIPY 630 / 650, BODIPY 650 / 665, BODIPY-FL, BODIPY-R6G, BODIPY-TMR, BODIPY-TRX, BODIPY FL, BODIPY R6G, BODIPY TMR, BODIPY TR, BODIPY 530 / 550, BODIPY 558 / 568, BODIPY 564 / 570, BODIPY 576 / 589, BODIPY 581 / 591, BODIPY 630 / 650, BODIPY 650 / 665), carboxyrhodamine 6G, carboxy-X-rhodamine (ROX), Cascade Blue, Cascade Yellow, Coumarin 343, cyanine dyes (Cy3, Cy5, Cy3.5, Cy5.5), dansyl, dapoxyl, dialkylaminocoumarin, etc.DM-NERF, eosin, erythrosin, fluorescein, FA, hydroxycoumarin, IRDyes (IRD40, IRD700, IRD 800), JOE, Lissamine rhodamine B, Marina blue, methoxy Coumarin, naphthofluorescein, Oregon Green 488, Oregon Green 500, Oregon Green 514, Pacific Blue, PyMPO, 5-carboxy-4',5-dichloro-2',7'-dimethoxyfluorescein, 5-carboxy-2',4',5,7'-tetrachlorofluorescein, 5-carboxyfluorescein, 5-carboxyrhodamine, 6-carboxyrhodamine, 6-carboxytetramethylamino, Cascade Blue, Cy2, Cy3, Cy5, 6-FAM, dansyl chloride, fluorescein, HEX, 6-JOE, NBD (7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole), Oregon Green 488, Oregon Green 500, Oregon Green 514, Pacific Blue, phthalic acid, terephthalic acid Acid, isophthalic acid, cresyl fast violet, cresyl blue violet, brilliant cresyl blue, para-aminobenzoic acid, erythrosine, phthalocyanine, azomethine, cyanine, xanthine, succinylfluorescein, rare earth metal cryptates, europium trisbipyridinediamine, europium cryptate or chelate, diamine, dicyanine, Rajola Blue dye, auopycocyanin, allococyanin B, phycocyanin C, phycocyanin R, thiamine, phycoerythrocyanin, phycoerythrin R, REG, rhodamine green, rhodamine isothiocyanate, rhodamine red, TAMRA, TET, TRIT (tetramethylrhodamine isothiol), tetramethylrhodamine, or Texas Red. Fluorescent labels can be conjugated to antibodies via known techniques, such as those disclosed in Current Protocols in Immunology (supra). Fluorescence can be quantified using a fluorometer.

[0162] There are a variety of well-characterized enzyme-substrate labels known in the art (for a review, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,149). The enzyme generally catalyzes a chemical change in a chromogenic substrate that can be measured using a variety of techniques. For example, the change can be a color change in the substrate that can be measured spectrophotometrically. Alternatively, the enzyme may alter the fluorescence or chemiluminescence of the substrate. Techniques for quantifying the change in fluorescence are described above. The chemiluminescent substrate becomes electronically excited by a chemical reaction and can then emit light that can be measured, for example, using a chemiluminometer, or donate energy to a fluorescent acceptor.

[0163] Examples of enzyme labels include luciferases such as firefly luciferase and bacterial luciferase (U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,456), luciferin, 2,3-dihydrophthalazinediones, malate dehydrogenase, urease, peroxidases such as horseradish peroxidase (HRPO), alkaline phosphatase, β-galactosidase, glucoamylase, lysozyme, sugar oxidases (e.g., glucose oxidase, galactose oxidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), heterocytic oxidases (e.g., uricase, xanthine oxidase), lactoperoxidase, microperoxidase, and the like. Techniques for conjugating enzymes to antibodies are described, for example, in O'Sullivan et al., 1981, Methods for the Preparation of Enzyme-Antibody Conjugates for Use in Enzyme Immunoassay, in Methods in Enzym. (J. Langone & H. Van Vunakis, eds.), Academic Press, NY, 73: 147-166.

[0164] Examples of enzyme-substrate combinations include, for example, horseradish peroxidase (HRPO) with hydrogen peroxidase as the substrate (hydrogen peroxidase oxidizes dye precursors such as orthophenylenediamine (OPD) or 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine hydrochloride (TMB)); alkaline phosphatase (AP) with para-nitrophenyl phosphate as the chromogenic substrate; β-D-galactosidase (β-D-Gal) with a chromogenic substrate such as p-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactosidase or the fluorogenic substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-galactosidase.

[0165] Many other enzyme-substrate combinations are available to those skilled in the art, for general reviews see U.S. Patent Nos. 4,275,149 and 4,318,980.

[0166] In another embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibodies or antibody fragments of the present invention are used unlabeled and detected with a labeled antibody that binds to the anti-PD-1 antibody or its fragment. For example, a labeled anti-human Fc antibody or anti-human Fab antibody may be used to detect the unlabeled anti-PD-1 antibody or fragment. The use of unlabeled anti-PD-1 antibodies or fragments thereof according to the present invention may be advantageous for achieving better tissue penetration, because the fluorescent label increases the molecular weight and / or hydrophobicity of the antibody or antibody fragment to which it is fused, thereby reducing tissue penetration.

[0167] The antibodies described herein may be used in any known assay method, such as competitive binding assays, direct and indirect sandwich assays, and immunoprecipitation assays. See, for example, Zola, Monoclonal Antibodies: A Manual of Techniques, pp. 147-158 (CRC Press, Inc. 1987). Diagnostic Kits.

[0168] The humanized anti-PD-1 antibodies of the present invention can be used in diagnostic kits, i.e., packaged combinations of reagents in predetermined amounts accompanied by instructions for performing a diagnostic assay. When the antibody is labeled with an enzyme, the kit can also include substrates and cofactors required by the enzyme, such as substrate precursors that provide a detectable chromophore or fluorophore. Other additives may also be included, such as stabilizers, buffers (e.g., block buffers or lysis buffers), and the like. The relative amounts of the various reagents can vary widely to provide concentrations in solution of the reagents that substantially optimize the sensitivity of the assay. The reagents may be provided as dry powders, usually lyophilized, with excipients that, upon dissolution, provide a reagent solution having the appropriate concentration.

[0169] diagnostic kits

[0170] Anti-PD-1 antibodies or fragments thereof can be used in diagnostic kits, i.e., packaged combinations of reagents in predetermined amounts accompanied by instructions for performing a diagnostic assay. If the antibody is labeled with an enzyme, the kit can also include substrates and cofactors required by the enzyme, such as substrate precursors that provide a detectable chromophore or fluorophore. Other additives may also be included, such as stabilizers, buffers (e.g., block buffers or lysis buffers), and the like. The relative amounts of the various reagents can vary widely to provide concentrations in solution of the reagents that substantially optimize the sensitivity of the assay. Reagents may be provided as dry powders, usually lyophilized, with excipients that, upon dissolution, provide a reagent solution having the appropriate concentration.

[0171] Compositions and Administration

[0172] Compositions comprising anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof according to the invention can be administered to subjects having or at risk for a PD-1 pathway disease or disorder described herein. The invention further provides use of anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or treatment of a PD-1 pathway disease or disorder. As used herein, the term "subject" refers to any mammalian patient to whom an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof can be administered, including, for example, humans and certain non-human mammals, such as primates, and dogs. Subjects particularly intended for treatment using the methods described herein include humans. The anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention can be administered alone or in combination with other compositions.

[0173] In one aspect, the present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the present invention.

[0174] Various delivery systems are known and can be used to administer anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof. Methods of introduction include, but are not limited to, intravitreal, ophthalmic, intradermal, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, epidural, and oral routes. Anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof can be administered, for example, by infusion, bolus, or injection, and can be administered together with other biologically active agents. Administration can be systemic or local. Such injectable formulations can be prepared, for example, in prefilled syringes.

[0175] The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof can be administered as a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof and one or more pharmaceutically compatible ingredients.

[0176] In a typical embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated in accordance with routine procedures as a pharmaceutical composition adapted for intravenous or subcutaneous administration to humans. Typically, compositions for administration by injection are solutions in sterile isotonic aqueous buffer. Where necessary, the pharmaceutical agent may also include a solubilizing agent and a local anesthetic, such as lignocaine, to ease pain at the injection site. Generally, the ingredients are supplied separately, for example, as a dry lyophilized powder or water-free concentrate in a hermetically sealed container, such as an ampoule or sachet, indicating the quantity of active agent, or mixed together in unit-dosage form. When the pharmaceutical agent is administered by injection, it can be dispensed using an infusion bottle containing sterile pharmaceutical-grade water or saline. When the pharmaceutical agent is administered by injection, an ampoule of sterile water for injection or saline can be provided so that the ingredients can be mixed prior to administration.

[0177] Additionally, the pharmaceutical composition can be provided as a pharmaceutical kit comprising (a) a container containing an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof in lyophilized form, and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent for injection (e.g., sterile water). The pharmaceutically acceptable diluent can be used for reconstitution or dilution of the lyophilized anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. Optionally, associated with such a container can be a notice in the form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use, or sale of pharmaceuticals or biological products, which notice reflects approval by the agency for manufacture, use, or sale for human administration.

[0178] The amount of an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that is effective in treating or preventing a disease or disorder of the PD-1 pathway can be determined by standard clinical techniques. In addition, in vitro assays may optionally be used to help identify optimal dosage ranges. The precise dose to be employed in the formulation will also depend on the route of administration and the stage of the disorder, and should be decided according to the judgment of the practitioner and each patient's circumstances. Effective doses may be extrapolated from dose-response curves derived from in vitro or animal model test systems.

[0179] For example, toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof can be determined in cell cultures or experimental animals by standard pharmaceutical procedures to determine the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population). Anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred.

[0180] Data obtained from cell culture assays and animal studies can be used to formulate a range of dosages for use in humans. The dosage of an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof typically lies within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity. Dosages may vary within this range depending on the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. For any anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof used in the methods, a therapeutically effective dose can be initially estimated from cell culture assays. A dose can be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range that includes the IC50 (i.e., the concentration of the test compound that achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture. Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans. Plasma levels can be measured, for example, by high performance liquid chromatography, ELISA, etc.

[0181] In one embodiment, the anti-PD-1 antibody is administered at regular intervals.

[0182] In some embodiments, antibodies of the invention can be formulated in dosages comprising, for example, 1 mg / ml to 250 mg / ml, for example, 20 mg / ml to 200 mg / ml.

[0183] In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof can further comprise a therapeutic agent, which may or may not be conjugated to a binding agent.

[0184] Administration of such combination therapy can have an additive or synergistic effect on disease parameters (eg, symptom severity, number of symptoms, or frequency of recurrence).

[0185] With respect to treatment regimens for combinatorial administration, in certain embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered simultaneously with the therapeutic agent. In another specific embodiment, the therapeutic agent is administered prior to or subsequent to administration of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.

[0186] Polynucleotides, Vectors, Host Cells, and Recombinant Methods

[0187] The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides containing sequences encoding anti-PD-1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, vectors, and host cells containing the polynucleotides, as well as recombinant techniques for producing the antibodies. The isolated polynucleotides can encode any desired form of anti-PD-1 antibody, including, for example, full-length monoclonal antibodies, Fab, Fab', F(ab')2, and Fv fragments, diabodies, linear antibodies, single-chain antibody molecules, and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.

[0188] Polynucleotides containing sequences encoding anti-PD-1 antibodies, or fragments or chains thereof, can be fused to one or more regulatory or control sequences, as known in the art, and can be contained in appropriate expression vectors or host cells, as known in the art. Each of the polynucleotide molecules encoding the heavy or light chain variable domains can be independently fused to a polynucleotide sequence encoding a constant domain, such as a human constant domain, to allow for the production of an intact antibody. Alternatively, the polynucleotides, or portions thereof, can be fused together to provide a template for the production of a single-chain antibody.

[0189] For recombinant production, a polynucleotide encoding the antibody is inserted into a replicable vector for cloning (amplification of the DNA) or for expression. Many suitable vectors are available for expressing recombinant antibodies. Vector components generally include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: a signal sequence, an origin of replication, one or more marker genes, an enhancer element, a promoter, and a transcription termination sequence.

[0190] Anti-PD-1 antibodies can also be produced as fusion polypeptides in which the antibody is fused to a heterologous polypeptide, such as a signal sequence or other polypeptide, having a specific cleavage site at the amino terminus of the mature protein or polypeptide. The heterologous signal sequence selected is typically one that is recognized and processed (i.e., cleaved by a signal peptidase) by the host cell. For prokaryotic host cells that do not recognize and process the anti-PD-1 antibody signal sequence, the signal sequence can be substituted with a prokaryotic signal sequence. Signal sequences can be, for example, the alkaline phosphatase, penicillinase, lipoprotein, or heat-stable enterotoxin II leaders. For yeast secretion, the native signal sequence can be substituted with, for example, the yeast invertase alpha factor (including the Saccharomyces and Kluyveromyces alpha-factor leaders), acid phosphatase, C. albicans glucoamylase, or the signal described in WO 90 / 13646. In mammalian cells, mammalian signal sequences as well as viral secretory leaders, such as the herpes simplex gD signal, can be used. The DNA for such precursor region is ligated in reading frame to DNA encoding the humanized anti-PD-1 antibody.

[0191] Expression and cloning vectors contain a nucleic acid sequence that enables the vector to replicate in one or more selected host cells. Generally, in cloning vectors, this sequence enables the vector to replicate independently of host chromosomal DNA and includes an origin of replication or autonomously replicating sequence. Such sequences are well known for a variety of bacteria, yeast, and viruses. The origin of replication from the plasmid pBR322 is suitable for most Gram-negative bacteria, the 2-v plasmid origin is suitable for yeast, and various viral origins (SV40, polyoma, adenovirus, VSV, and BPV) are useful for cloning vectors in mammalian cells. Generally, the origin of replication component is not needed for mammalian expression vectors (the SV40 origin may typically be used only because it contains the early promoter).

[0192] Expression and cloning vectors may contain a gene encoding a selectable marker to facilitate identification of expression. Typical selectable marker genes encode proteins that confer resistance to antibiotics or other toxins, such as ampicillin, neomycin, methotrexate, or tetracycline, or are complement auxotrophic deficiencies, or alternatively, supply specific nutrients not present in complex media, such as D-alanine racemase in Bacillus.

[0193] One example of a selection scheme utilizes drugs to arrest the growth of host cells. Cells successfully transformed with a heterologous gene produce a protein that confers drug resistance and thus survive the selection regimen. Examples of such dominant selection utilize the drugs neomycin, mycophenolic acid, and hygromycin. Common selectable markers for mammalian cells allow the identification of cells competent to incorporate nucleic acid encoding a humanized anti-PD-1 antibody, such as DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase), thymidine kinase, metallothionein-I and -II (e.g., primate metallothionein genes), adenosine deaminase, ornithine decarboxylase, etc. Cells transformed with a DHFR selection gene are initially identified by culturing all transformants in medium containing methotrexate (Mtx), a competitive antagonist of DHFR. When wild-type DHFR is used, an appropriate host cell is a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line (e.g., DG44) lacking DHFR activity.

[0194] Alternatively, host cells transformed or co-transformed with a DNA sequence encoding an anti-PD-1 antibody, a wild-type DHFR protein, and another selectable marker, such as aminoglycoside 3'-phosphotransferase (APH), (particularly wild-type hosts containing endogenous DHFR) can be selected by growing the cells in medium containing a selection agent for the selectable marker, such as an aminoglycoside antibiotic, e.g., kanamycin, neomycin, or G418. See, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,965,199.

[0195] When recombinant production is carried out in yeast cells as host cells, the TRP1 gene present in the yeast plasmid YRp7 (Stinchcomb et al., 1979, Nature 282:39) can be used as a selectable marker. The TRP1 gene provides a selectable marker for yeast mutants lacking the ability to grow in tryptophan, such as ATCC No. 44076 or PEP4-1 (Jones, 1977, Genetics 85:12). The presence of the trp1 lesion in the yeast host cell genome then provides an effective environment for detecting transformation by growth in the absence of tryptophan. Similarly, Leu2p-deficient yeast strains, such as ATCC 20,622 and 38,626, can be complemented by known plasmids bearing the LEU2 gene.

[0196] Also, vectors derived from the 1.6 μm circular plasmid pKD1 can be used for transformation of Kluyveromyces yeast. Alternatively, an expression system for large-scale production of recombinant bovine chymosin has been reported for K. lactis (Van den Berg, 1990, Bio / Technology 8:135). A stable multicopy expression vector for secretion of mature recombinant human serum albumin by industrial strains of Kluyveromyces has also been disclosed (Fleer et al., 1991, Bio / Technology 9:968-975).

[0197] Expression and cloning vectors usually contain a promoter that is recognized by the host organism and is operably linked to the nucleic acid molecule encoding the anti-PD-1 antibody or a polypeptide chain thereof. Suitable promoters for use with prokaryotic hosts include the phoA promoter, β-lactamase and lactose promoter systems, alkaline phosphatase, a tryptophan (trp) promoter system, and hybrid promoters such as the tac promoter. Other known bacterial promoters are also suitable. Promoters for use in bacterial systems also contain a Shine-Dalgamo (SD) sequence operably linked to the DNA encoding the humanized anti-PD-1 antibody.

[0198] Many eukaryotic promoter sequences are known. Virtually all eukaryotic genes have an AT-rich region located approximately 25 to 30 bases upstream from the site where transcription is initiated. Another sequence found 70 to 80 bases upstream from the start of transcription of many genes is a CNCAAT region, where N can be any nucleotide. At the 3' end of most eukaryotic genes is an AATAAA sequence that may be a signal for addition of a poly(A) tail to the 3' end of the coding sequence. All of these sequences are appropriately inserted into eukaryotic expression vectors.

[0199] Examples of suitable promoter sequences for use with yeast hosts include promoters for 3-phosphoglycerate kinase or other glycolytic enzymes such as enolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, hexokinase, pyruvate decarboxylase, phosphofructokinase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, 3-phosphoglycerate mutase, pyruvate kinase, triosephosphate isomerase, phosphoglucose isomerase, and glucokinase.

[0200] Inducible promoters have the added advantage of transcription being controlled by growth conditions. These include yeast promoter regions for alcohol dehydrogenase 2, isocytochrome C, acid phosphatase, derivative enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism, metallothionein, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and enzymes involved in maltose and galactose utilization. Suitable vectors and promoters for use in yeast expression are further described in EP 73,657 or Baghban et al. Molecular Biotechnology (2019) 61:365-384. Yeast enhancers are also advantageously used with yeast promoters.

[0201] Transcription of the anti-PD-1 antibody from the vector in mammalian host cells is controlled by a promoter derived, for example, from the genome of a virus, such as polyoma virus, fowlpox virus, adenovirus (such as adenovirus 2), bovine papilloma virus, avian sarcoma virus, cytomegalovirus, retrovirus, hepatitis B virus, and simian virus 40 (SV40), from a heterologous mammalian promoter, such as the actin promoter or an immunoglobulin promoter, or from a heat shock promoter, provided that such promoter is compatible with the host cell system.

[0202] The early and late promoters of the SV40 virus are conveniently obtained as an SV40 restriction fragment that also contains the SV40 viral origin of replication. The immediate early promoter of the human cytomegalovirus is conveniently obtained as a HindIII E restriction fragment. A system for expressing DNA in mammalian hosts using bovine papilloma virus as a vector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,446. A modification of this system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,978. See also Reyes et al., 1982, Nature 297:598-601 (disclosing expression of human p-interferon cDNA in mouse cells under the control of the thymidine kinase promoter from herpes simplex virus). Alternatively, the Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat can be used as a promoter.

[0203] Another useful element that can be used in recombinant expression vectors is an enhancer sequence, which is used to increase transcription of DNA encoding an anti-PD-1 antibody by higher eukaryotes. Many enhancer sequences are now known from mammalian genes (e.g., globin, elastase, albumin, α-fetoprotein, and insulin). Typically, however, enhancers from eukaryotic viruses are used. Examples include the SV40 enhancer on the late side of the replication origin (bp 100-270), the cytomegalovirus early promoter enhancer, the polyoma enhancer on the late side of the replication origin, and adenovirus enhancers. See also Yaniv, 1982, Nature 297:17-18, for a description of enhancing elements for activation of eukaryotic promoters. The enhancer can be spliced ​​into the vector at a position 5' or 3' to the anti-PD-1 antibody-encoding sequence, but is preferably located at a site 5' from the promoter.

[0204] Expression vectors used in eukaryotic host cells (yeast, fungi, insects, plants, animals, humans, or nucleated cells from other multicellular organisms) may also contain sequences necessary for the termination of transcription and for stabilizing mRNA. Such sequences are commonly available from the 5' and, occasionally, 3' untranslated regions of eukaryotic or viral DNA or cDNA. These regions contain nucleotide segments transcribed as polyadenylated fragments in the untranslated portion of the mRNA encoding the anti-PD-1 antibody. One useful transcription termination component is the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation region. See WO94 / 11026 and the expression vector disclosed therein. In some embodiments, anti-ANGPT2 antibodies can be expressed using a CHEF system. (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,809; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.)

[0205] Suitable host cells for cloning or expressing the DNA in the vectors herein are the prokaryotic, yeast, or higher eukaryotic cells described above. Suitable prokaryotes for this purpose include eubacteria, such as gram-negative or gram-positive bacteria, such as enterobacteria, such as Escherichia, e.g., E. coli, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, e.g., Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia, e.g., Serratia marcescans, and Shigella, as well as Bacillus, such as B. subtilis and B. licheniformis (B. licheniformis 41P, disclosed in DD 266,710 published April 12, 1989), Pseudomonas, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptomyces. One preferred E. coli cloning host is E. coli 294 (ATCC 31,446), although other strains such as E. coli B, E. coli X1776 (ATCC 31,537), and E. coli W3110 (ATCC 27,325) are suitable. These examples are illustrative rather than limiting.

[0206] In addition to prokaryotes, eukaryotic microbes, such as filamentous fungi or yeast, are suitable cloning or expression hosts for anti-PD-1 antibody-encoding vectors. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or common baker's yeast, is the most commonly used among lower eukaryotic host microorganisms. However, many other genera, species, and strains are commonly available and useful herein (e.g., Schizosaccharomyces pombe); Kluyveromyces hosts, such as K. lactis, K. fragilis (ATCC 12,424), K. bulgaricus (ATCC 16,045), K. wickerami (ATCC 24,178), K. waltii (ATCC 56,500), K. drosophilarum (ATCC 36,906), K. thermotolerans, and K. marxianus; Yarrowia (EP 402,226); Pichia pastors (EP 183,070); Candida; Trichoderma reesea (EP244,234); Neurospora crassa; Schwanniomyces, such as Schwanniomyces occidentalis; and filamentous fungi, such as Neurospora, Penicillium, and Tolypocladium, and Aspergillus hosts, such as A. nidulans and A. niger.

[0207] Suitable host cells for expression of glycosylated anti-PD-1 antibodies are derived from multicellular organisms. Examples of invertebrate cells include plant cells and insect cells, including numerous baculovirus strains and variants and corresponding permissive insect host cells from hosts such as Spodoptera frugiperda (caterpillar), Aedes aegypti (mosquito), Aedes albopictus (mosquito), Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly), and Bombyx mori (silkworm). Various viral strains for transfection are publicly available, including the L-1 variant of Autographa californica NPV and the Bm-5 strain of Bombyx mori NPV; such viruses may be used, particularly for transfection of Spodoptera frugiperda cells.

[0208] Plant cell cultures of cotton, corn, potato, soybean, petunia, tomato, and tobacco may also be utilized as hosts.

[0209] The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof can also be incorporated into a viral vector, i.e., a polynucleotide encoding the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is introduced into a viral vector and then expressed in the patient's body after infection with the virus.

[0210] In another embodiment, expression of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is in vertebrate cells. Propagation of vertebrate cells in culture (tissue culture) has become a routine procedure and techniques are widely available. Examples of useful mammalian host cell lines are monkey kidney line CV1 transformed with SV40 (COS-7, ATCC CRL 1651), human embryonic kidney line (293 or 293 cells subcloned for growth in suspension culture (Graham et al., 1977, J Gen Virol. 36: 59), baby hamster kidney cells (BHK, ATCC CCL 10), Chinese hamster ovary cells / -DHFR1 (CHO, Urlaub et al., 1980, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77: 4216; e.g., DG44), mouse Sertoli cells (TM4, Mather, 1980, Biol. Reprod. 23: 243-251), monkey kidney cells (CV1 ATCC CCL 70), African green monkey kidney cells (VERO-76, ATCC CRL-1587), human cervical carcinoma cells (HELA, ATCC CCL2), canine kidney cells (MDCK, ATCC CCL34), buffalo rat hepatocytes (BRL3A, ATCC CRL 1442), human lung cells (W138, ATCC CCL75), human liver cells (Hep G2, HB 8065), mouse mammary tumor (MMT 060562, ATCC CCL51), TR1 cells (Mather et al., 1982, Annals NY Acad. Sci. 383: 44-68), MRC 5 cells, FS4 cells, and a human hepatocellular carcinoma line (Hep G2).

[0211] Host cells are transformed with the expression or cloning vectors described above for the production of antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof and cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as appropriate for inducing promoters, selecting transformants, or amplifying the genes encoding the desired sequences.

[0212] The host cells used to produce the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof described herein may be cultured in a variety of media. Commercially available media, such as Ham's F10 (Sigma-Aldrich Co., St. Louis, MO), Minimal Essential Medium (MEM), (Sigma-Aldrich Co.), RPMI-1640 (Sigma-Aldrich Co.), and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM), Sigma-Aldrich Co., are suitable for culturing the host cells. See also Ham et al., 1979, Meth. Enz. 58:44; Barnes et al., 1980, Anal. Biochem. 102:255; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,767,704, 4,657,866, 4,927,762, 4,560,655, 5,122,469; WO 90 / 103430; and WO 90 / 103430. Any of the media described in one or more of Patent Publications 87 / 00195 may be used as a culture medium for the host cells. Any of these media may be supplemented, as needed, with hormones and / or other growth factors (e.g., insulin, transferrin, or epidermal growth factor), salts (e.g., sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and phosphate), buffers (e.g., HEPES), nucleotides (e.g., adenosine and thymidine), antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin), trace elements (defined as inorganic compounds, usually present at final concentrations in the micromolar range), and glucose or an equivalent energy source. Other additives may also be included at appropriate concentrations that would be known to those skilled in the art. Culture conditions, such as temperature, pH, etc., will be those previously used with the host cells selected for expression and will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0213] When using recombinant techniques, antibodies can be produced intracellularly in the periplasmic space or directly secreted into the culture medium. If the antibody is produced intracellularly, the cells may be disrupted as a first step to release the protein. Particulate debris (either host cells or lysed fragments) can be removed, for example, by centrifugation or ultrafiltration. Carter et al., 1992, Bio / Technology 10:163-167, describes a procedure for isolating antibodies secreted into the periplasmic space of E. coli. Briefly, cell paste is thawed in the presence of sodium acetate (pH 3.5), EDTA, and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) for approximately 30 minutes. Cell debris can be removed by centrifugation. If the antibody is secreted into the culture medium, the supernatant from such expression systems is generally first concentrated using a commercially available protein concentration filter, such as an Amicon or Millipore Pellicon ultrafiltration unit. A protease inhibitor, such as PMSF, may be included in any of the foregoing steps to inhibit proteolysis, and antibiotics may be included to prevent the growth of adventitious contaminants. A variety of methods can be used to isolate antibodies from host cells.

[0214] Antibody compositions prepared from cells can be purified using, for example, hydroxyapatite chromatography, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, and affinity chromatography, with affinity chromatography being a typical purification technique. The suitability of protein A as an affinity ligand depends on the species and isotype of the immunoglobulin Fc domain present in the antibody. Protein A can be used to purify antibodies based on human gamma 1, gamma 2, or gamma 4 heavy chains (see, e.g., Lindmark et al., 1983 J. Immunol. Meth. 62:1-13). Protein G is recommended for all mouse isotypes and for human gamma 3 (see, e.g., Guss et al., 1986 EMBO J. 5:1567-1575). The matrix to which the affinity ligand is attached is most often agarose, although other matrices are available. Mechanically stable matrices, such as controlled pore glass or poly(styrenedivinyl)benzene, allow for faster flow rates and shorter processing times than can be achieved with agarose. H3 For antibodies containing the ribozyme domain, Bakerbond ABX™ resin (JT Baker, Phillipsburg, NJ) is useful for purification. Other techniques for protein purification, such as fractionation on an ion exchange column, ethanol precipitation, reverse-phase HPLC, chromatography on silica, chromatography on heparin SEPHAROSE™, chromatography on anion or cation exchange resins (such as polyaspartic acid columns), chromatofocusing, SDS-PAGE, and ammonium sulfate precipitation, are also available, depending on the antibody to be recovered.

[0215] After any preliminary purification steps, the mixture containing the antibody of interest and contaminants may be subjected to low pH hydrophobic interaction chromatography, typically performed at a low salt concentration (e.g., about 0-0.25 M salt) using an elution buffer at a pH of about 2.5-4.5.

[0216] Also included are nucleic acids that hybridize to all or a portion (e.g., a portion encoding a variable region) of the nucleotide sequence represented by an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding an anti-PD-1 antibody or antibody fragment, as defined herein, under low, moderate, or high stringency conditions, particularly under high stringency conditions. The hybridizing portion of the hybridizing nucleic acid is typically at least 15 (e.g., 20, 25, 30, or 50) nucleotides in length. The hybridizing portion of the hybridizing nucleic acid is at least 80%, e.g., at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% identical to the sequence of part or all of a nucleic acid encoding an anti-PD-1 polypeptide (e.g., a heavy or light chain variable region), or its complement. Hybridizing nucleic acids of the type described herein can be used, for example, as cloning probes, primers, e.g., PCR primers, or diagnostic probes. In one embodiment, "high stringency conditions" refers to prehybridization and hybridization for probes at least 100 nucleotides in length for 12-24 hours according to standard Southern blotting procedures in 5x SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 micrograms / ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 50% formamide at 42°C. The carrier material is finally washed three times for 15 minutes each using 0.2x SSC, 0.2% SDS at 65°C.

[0217] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 108 to 123.

[0218] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 92-107.

[0219] In one embodiment, the invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:131, SEQ ID NO:133, SEQ ID NO:135, SEQ ID NO:137, or SEQ ID NO:139.

[0220] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:130, SEQ ID NO:132, SEQ ID NO:134, SEQ ID NO:136, or SEQ ID NO:138.

[0221] In one embodiment, the invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:125, SEQ ID NO:127, or SEQ ID NO:129.

[0222] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:124, SEQ ID NO:126, or SEQ ID NO:128.

[0223] In one embodiment, the invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:143, SEQ ID NO:147, SEQ ID NO:149, SEQ ID NO:153, or SEQ ID NO:155.

[0224] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:142, SEQ ID NO:146, SEQ ID NO:148, SEQ ID NO:152, or SEQ ID NO:154.

[0225] In one embodiment, the invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:141, SEQ ID NO:145, or SEQ ID NO:151.

[0226] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:140, SEQ ID NO:144, or SEQ ID NO:150.

[0227] In one embodiment, the invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:159, SEQ ID NO:161, or SEQ ID NO:163.

[0228] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:158, SEQ ID NO:160, or SEQ ID NO:162.

[0229] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:157.

[0230] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:156.

[0231] manufactured goods

[0232] Another embodiment includes an article of manufacture containing materials useful for treating the disorders described above. The article of manufacture comprises a container and a label. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, and test tubes. The container can be formed from a variety of materials, such as glass or plastic. The container holds a composition effective for treating a condition and can have a sterile access port. For example, the container can be an intravenous solution bag or vial with a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle. The active agent in the composition is an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. A label on or associated with the container indicates that the composition is used for treating the selected condition. The article of manufacture may further comprise a second container containing a pharmaceutically acceptable buffer, such as phosphate-buffered saline, Ringer's solution, and dextrose solution. It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, syringes, and package inserts with instructions for use.

[0233] The present invention is further described in the following examples, which are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0234] Example

[0235] Example 1: Antibody generation (immunization) Mice of MHC type A, C, D, E, H, and G strains were immunized with recombinant monomeric human PD-1 or human PD-1-human Fc-His protein. The gene symbol for this recombinant protein is PDCD1, and the GeneID is 5133. Serology was then assessed by flow cytometry using CHO human PD-1 cells expressing the human PD-1 antigen for binding. Selected serologically positive mice received a final booster immunization before B cell isolation. All selected mice showed positive antibody titers in the serum. With positive serology, splenocytes were harvested for antigen-specific B cell recovery. All procedures were performed in accordance with protocols approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

[0236] Example 2: Production of humanized anti-PD-1 antibodies The mouse lead antibody 723C2 was converted into a chimeric antibody consisting of the mouse variable domain of 723C2 and human constant IgG1WT, IgG1KO, or IgG4Pro domains. The sequences of the mouse antibody 723C2 light chain variable region (Vκ) and heavy chain variable region (VH) are shown in Tables 1 and 2 herein above. The IgG4Pro has one substitution mutation (Ser228Pro) that prevents Fab arm exchange. The IgG1KO has two mutations in the hinge region, Leu234Ala and Leu235Ala, to reduce effector function (ADCC). Chimeric antibodies were generated and their function was confirmed to ensure the correct sequence was obtained. The sequences of chimeric 723C2 in human IgG1WT, IgG1KO, and IgG4Pro formats are shown in Table 8. Chimeric 723C2 in human IgG1WT and IgG4Pro contains mutations in the H-CDR3, DC to DY. However, chimeric 723C2 in human IgG1KO does not have this mutation. Mutations at this site are highlighted in Table 8. The variable region of the antibody is then humanized through a design and screening process. Libraries are created in which the human and murine residues are varied so that at any given position, either the human or murine residue can be present. Such libraries are created for amino acids that differ between the human germline and the murine antibody. Only clones that retain the function of the parent murine antibody are selected. Representative humanized variable regions for antibody 723C2 are shown in Tables 5 and 6. In this format, Antibody A, Antibody B, Antibody C, Antibody D, and Antibody E were humanized antibodies derived from murine antibody 723C2 (cloned into a human IgG4Pro / kappa backbone). Antibodies A, B, C, D, and E are shown in Table 7.

[0237] Example 3: Antibody binding to recombinant PD-1 protein A) The kinetics and affinity of chimeric anti-PD-1 antibodies in a human IgG4Pro backbone binding to recombinant human PD-1 are shown below (Table 9). Kinetics and binding affinity were measured using material generated from transient transfections after single-column purification using a ProteOn XPR36 (Biorad, Hercules, CA). [Table 9] B) Affinity was measured for a humanized anti-PD-1 antibody derived from the murine antibody 723C2. Kinetic binding data were measured using a ProteOn XPR36 (Biorad, Hercules, CA) and comprehensively fitted to a 1:1 binding model, demonstrating interaction with recombinant human PD-1 in the range of 1 nM to 10 nM (Table 10). Antibody PD1AB-6-4P (an antibody in an IgG4Pro backbone disclosed in WO 2017 / 058859 to Celgene) was also tested. [Table 10] C) Affinity and kinetic data for anti-PD-1 antibodies binding to cynomolgus monkey PD-1 were measured with ProteOn XPR36 and globally fit to a 1:1 binding model (Table 11). The antibody, PD1AB-6-4P, was also tested. [Table 11] D) Molecular selectivity for human PD-1 The selectivity of anti-PD-1 antibodies for human PD-1 protein in cell-based assays was evaluated by flow cytometry. Parental Jurkat cells not expressing human PD-1 protein or Jurkat cells expressing human PD-1 protein were incubated with AlexaFluor 647-labeled anti-PD-1 antibodies at the concentrations indicated below. As a control, parental cells and PD-1-expressing Jurkat cells were incubated with an anti-TNP isotype control antibody. After incubation, cells were washed to remove unbound antibody, fixed in PFA, and then washed in staining buffer. Antibody binding to Jurkat cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. Unstained cells were also evaluated by flow cytometry as a negative control. The anti-PD-1 antibodies selectively bound human PD-1 up to at least 1 micromolar, as demonstrated by dose-dependent antibody binding to Jurkat cells expressing human PD-1 protein and the lack of AlexaFluor 647-labeled anti-PD-1 antibody binding to parental Jurkat cells lacking PD-1 expression. The results of a representative experiment using antibody C (Ab C) are shown in FIG.

[0238] Example 4: Competitive binding assay of human PD-1-Fc binding to human PD-L1-Fc Human PD-L1-Fc was amine-coupled at a concentration of 60 μg / mL to channels 1–3 of a GLM chip on a BioRad ProteOn XPR36 instrument; three test antibodies, Antibody C, MK-3475 (pembrolizumab), and PD1AB-6-4P, were amine-coupled at 30 μg / mL to channels 4, 5, and 6, respectively. Human PD1-Fc was injected at a concentration of 25 nM across channels 1–6 on the chip surface. Sensorgrams demonstrate specific binding between PD-L1 and the PD-1 receptor (Figure 2A). 500 nM Antibody C, MK-3475, and PD1AB-6-4P were premixed with 25 nM PD1-Fc and injected as analytes across all channels on the chip to assess whether individual antibodies inhibited PD-L1 binding to PD-1. Both Antibody C and PD1AB-6-4P are non-competitive with PD-L1 for binding to the PD-1 antigen, as demonstrated by the sensorgrams. MK-3475 and PD-L1 are potent binding blockers of each other to PD-1 based on the non-binding sensorgrams observed in the competition assay (Figure 2B).

[0239] Example 5. Enhanced binding of PD-L1 to PD-1 in the presence of anti-PD-1 agonist antibodies PD-1 / PD-L1 interaction was investigated in the presence of the PD-1 agonist antibody 723C2 in a human IgG4Pro backbone without the DC to DY mutation in H-CDR3. Multiple assays were used to demonstrate that antibody 723C2 enhanced PD-L1 binding to PD-1. A biochemical ELISA-based assay was used to assess PD-1 binding to plate-bound PD-L1 (BPS Bioscience). White 96-well microplates were coated overnight at 4°C with 50 μl of PD-L1 at 2 μg / ml in PBS. The supernatant was removed, and the plates were washed three times with 1x Immunobuffer (Cat. No. 72005) provided by the manufacturer, BPS Bioscience, followed by blocking with blocking buffer for 1 hour at room temperature (RT). Antibodies, along with relevant controls, were added, followed by the addition of 0.5 ng / ml (10 ng) PD-1 biotin for 2 hours at room temperature. Plates were blocked with blocking buffer for 10 minutes. Streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase secondary antibody was added to the washed plates for 1 hour, followed by washing with PD-1 assay buffer. Plates were blocked for 10 minutes. Chemiluminescent substrate mix was added to the plates immediately prior to reading. Chemiluminescent signals were read in a luminometer (Envision) or in a microtiter plate capable of reading chemiluminescence. Enhanced interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 was observed in the presence of antibody 723C2, as indicated by an increased chemiluminescent signal compared to samples treated with the isotype control (Figure 3A). Antibody 723C2 is designated as 723C2-4P in Figure 3A. This is in contrast to MK3475 (a known anti-PD-1 antagonist antibody), which blocked the interaction between PD-L1 and PD-1. Antibody PD1AB-6-4P demonstrated limited enhancement of PD-1-PD-L1 in this assay (Figure 3A). A cell-based assay was utilized to confirm the ELISA-based results demonstrating enhanced PD-1 / PD-L1 interaction in the presence of antibody 723C2, where PD-1 / PD-L1 interaction was assessed by measuring binding of soluble PD-1 to PD-1-overexpressing CHO cells using a DELFIA (dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluorescent immunoassay) receptor-ligand binding assay (Perkin Elmer). 10,000 cells were seeded and incubated overnight in a 37°C + 5% CO2 incubator (humidified incubator). Biotin-labeled PD-L1EC10 (130 nM) and 10 μl of PD-1 antibody were added to each well and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. The plate was washed twice with 50 μl of 1xTRF wash buffer. 20 μL of Eu-streptavidin reagent was added to the assay plate and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. Enhancement Solution was added and incubated at room temperature for 30 minutes. The plate was read using a fluorescent plate reader (excitation: 320 or 340 nm, emission: 615 nm). This assay confirmed the ELISA assay, and the presence of antibody 723C2 in this cell-based assay enhanced the PD-1 / PD-L1 interaction (Figure 3B). Antibody 723C2 is designated as 723C2-4P in Figure 3B. A second cell-based assay in which PD-1 was expressed in CHO cells was also utilized to assess PD-1 / PD-L1 interactions. In this assay, PD-L1 multimer binding to PD-1-expressing CHO cells was measured by flow cytometry. 50 μl of 2 × 10 6Cells / ml were added to each well (100,000 cells / well). Cells were centrifuged, resuspended in 50 μl of the indicated concentration of antibody, and incubated on ice for 60 minutes. PDL1-biotin and streptavidin-APC were combined in staining buffer (1 μg / ml PDL1-biotin + 0.25 μg / ml streptavidin-APC). 50 μl of the 2×PDL1-biotin / streptavidin-APC mixture was added to the cells and incubated on ice for 60 minutes. Cells were washed and resuspended in 180 μl of staining buffer + 20 μg PFA, and data were acquired on a BD LSR II. As shown in Figure 3C, this cell-based assay also demonstrated enhanced binding of PD-L1 to PD-1 in the presence of antibody 723C2. The antibody PD1AB-6-4P had no effect on PD-L1 binding, while the antagonist antibody MK3475 inhibited PD-L1 binding to PD-1 (Figure 3C). Antibody 723C2 is designated as 723C2-4P in Figure 3C. The CHO PD-1-PD-L1 Delphia-Eu TRF assay described above was also performed using antibody C, antibody PD1AB-6-4P, antibody 1-4Pro, antibody PD1B1090-4Pro, antibody PD1B1094-4Pro, and antibody ANB-030-4Pro. Antibody 1-4Pro contains the heavy and light chain variable regions of antibody 1, described in WO 2019 / 168745 to Eli Lilly, in an IgG4-Pro scaffold. Antibodies PD1B1090-4Pro and PD1B1094-4Pro contain the heavy and light chain variable regions of PD1B1090 and PD1B1094, respectively, described in WO 2018 / 226580 to Janssen Biotech, in an IgG4-Pro scaffold. The antibody ANB-030-4Pro contains the heavy and light chain variable regions of antibody ANB-030, described under CAS number CAS2412764-40-8, in an IgG4-Pro scaffold (and corresponds to the heavy and light chain variable regions of APE12537, described in WO 2020 / 247648 to Anaptysbio).An anti-TNP antibody in an IgG4-Pro scaffold was also included. Antibody C demonstrated consistent (N=3) enhancement of PD-1\PDL-1 binding in a concentration-dependent manner (Figure 3D). All other anti-PD-1 agonists did not consistently enhance PD-1\PDL-1 binding (Figure 3D).

[0240] Example 6: Inhibition of NFAT activation in a functional cellular assay, the THP-1 / Jurkat-PD-1 agonist reporter assay A THP-1 / Jurkat PD1NFAT coculture assay was developed to evaluate the agonist activity of anti-PD1 antibodies generated from multiple campaigns. The THP-1 cell line was obtained from ATCC. A Jurkat reporter cell line was generated in-house. The Jurkat reporter cells overexpress human PD-1 (hPD-1) on the cell surface and also express an NFAT-driven luciferase reporter, allowing the activation state of the cells to be measured in response to stimulation. Jurkat PD1NFAT cells were activated with CD3xCD33 BiTE in the presence of THP-1 cells. The anti-CD33 arm of the BiTE binds to CD33 expressed on THP-1 cells, while the anti-CD3 arm binds to CD3 molecules on Jurkat cells. The BiTE serves to associate THP-1 and Jurkat cells, activating the Jurkat cells and resulting in the formation of an immune synapse between the two cells. Activation of Jurkat PD-1NFAT cells is measured by an NFAT-driven luciferase reporter. This assay was performed in the presence of anti-PD1 antibodies to identify agonistic antibodies. Molecules that showed a 20% or greater reduction in activation, as indicated by loss of luciferase signal, were classified as agonistic antibodies (Table 12). Anti-PD-1 antibodies 306E6 to 820C3 in Table 12 were on a mouse IgG1 backbone. Several of these antibodies were selected for further profiling on a human IgG4Pro backbone (represented as chimeric antibodies in Table 12). [Table 12]

[0241] Example 7: Functional Cellular Assay - Inhibition of IFNγ Production from Human PD-1 Knock-in Splenocytes The primary cell assay used to select the top anti-PD1 antibodies was the hPD1 knock-in mouse splenocyte assay. Spleens were collected from C57BL / 6 mice expressing human PD1 instead of mouse PD1. Splenocytes were isolated from the spleens and activated with anti-CD3 (clone 2C11) at a concentration of 0.1 μg / ml. T cell activation was measured 48 hours later by quantifying mIFNγ levels using MSD analysis (Meso Scale Discovery). This assay was performed in the presence of anti-PD1 antibodies selected from the THP-1 / Jurkat PD1NFAT screening assay. The top molecules identified from this assay were selected based on % inhibition of mIFNγ (50% or greater) and sequence clade. Inhibition and IC50 values ​​are shown in Table 13. [Table 13]

[0242] Example 8: Functional Cellular Assay, Inhibition of IFNγ Production from Human PBMC Assay Anti-PD-1 agonist antibodies were further characterized for their ability to modulate T cell functional activity, as measured by IFNγ production, in a human primary cell assay. PBMCs were isolated from human whole blood and activated with 1.5 pM anti-CD3 (clone OKT3, BioLegend). T cell activation and function were assessed 72 hours later by quantifying hIFNγ levels using MSD analysis. The identified anti-PD-1 agonist antibodies were able to reduce IFNγ secretion compared to isotype control-treated cells (Table 14A). [Table 14] Antibody C, Antibody 1-4Pro, Antibody PD1B1090-4Pro, Antibody PD1B1094-4Pro, Antibody ANB-030-4Pro, and abatacept were also tested in this assay. The results are shown in Table 14B. Antibody C, the variable regions of Antibody 1-4Pro, Antibody PD1B1090-4Pro, Antibody PD1B1094-4Pro, and Antibody ANB-030-4Pro in an IgG1 wild-type backbone and an IgG1KO backbone, and abatacept were also tested in this assay. The results are shown in Table 14C, summarized below. Five donors were tested in each experiment. [Table 15] [Table 16] Inhibition of IFNγ for the variable regions of antibody 1-4Pro, antibody PD1B1090-4Pro, antibody PD1B1094-4Pro, and antibody ANB-030-4Pro in an IgG1KO backbone was less than 40% with IC50 values ​​greater than 30 nM.

[0243] Example 9: Inhibition of IL-17A production from a functional cell assay, Th17-monocyte co-culture assay Anti-PD-1 agonist antibodies were tested for functional inhibition of IL-17 secretion by Th17-differentiated T cells. A primary cell coculture assay was developed to assess PD-1-mediated regulation of IL-17. Human primary T cells isolated from PBMCs were differentiated into Th17 cells under the following gradient conditions: CD4 T cells were stimulated with 0.5 μg / ml plate-bound anti-CD3 (clone UCHT1) for 4 days in Th17 gradient medium (X-VIVO15 medium + IL-1β (10 ng / mL), IL-23 (10 ng / mL), IL-6 (10 ng / mL), IL-2 (2 ng / mL), TGFβ (0.5 ng / mL), 5 μg / mL anti-IL4, and 5 μg / mL anti-IFNγ). After 4 days, cells were removed from the anti-CD3-coated plate and transferred to a flask containing Th17 gradient medium. After differentiation, Th17 cells were rested for at least 3 days and then co-cultured with autologous monocytes and restimulated with 40 fM anti-CD3 (clone OKT3) in the presence of PD-1 antibody. The co-culture system was required due to the Fc requirement necessary for anti-PD-1 antibody to exhibit agonistic activity. Inhibition of IL-17 was observed in this assay in the presence of anti-PD-1 agonist antibody. The IC50 of the antibody and the maximum inhibition of the IL-17 response are shown in the table below (Table 15). Maximum inhibition was compared to an isotype control antibody. [Table 17]

[0244] Example 10: Inhibition of IL-21 production from a functional cell assay, Tfh-monocyte co-culture assay An assay was developed to evaluate the ability of anti-PD-1 agonist antibodies to inhibit follicular helper T (Tfh) cell activity in vitro. CD4 T cells and autologous monocytes were obtained from ALLCELLS. T cells were oriented toward the Tfh lineage by activating them with Dynabeads Human T-Activator CD3 / CD28 (Gibco) in the presence of IL-23 (25 ng / ml) and TGFβ (5 ng / ml) for 5 days. After washing and removing the activation beads, the cells were combined with autologous monocytes in the presence of 4.5 pM anti-CD3 (clone OKT3, BioLegend) and an anti-PD-1 agonist antibody. After 24 hours, supernatants were collected and assayed for the presence of IL-21 (Meso Scale Discovery, MSD V-Plex Human IL-21 Kit). IL-21 production by restimulated Tfh-differentiated cells was inhibited by an anti-PD-1 agonist antibody. Representative IC50 and Emax inhibition values ​​are shown in Table 16. [Table 18]

[0245] Example 11: Role of FcgR interactions on PD-1 agonist activity The role of Fc-Fcg receptor interactions on the functional activity of agonist antibodies was characterized by utilizing candidate PD-1 agonist antibodies in different backbone formats (IgG1 wild-type, IgG1KO, or IgG4 Pro) or bivalent antibody fragments (F(ab')2 fragments). The functional activity of the antibody variants was assessed by their ability to modulate IFNγ production from activated T cells in the human PBMC assay described above. Functional agonist activity, measured by a reduction in IFNγ production, is lost in the bivalent F(ab')2 fragments of the parental 723C2 and 820C3 antibodies (Figures 4A and 4B). In contrast, full-length antibodies in a human IgG4 Pro backbone inhibited IFNγ production in a dose-dependent manner (Figures 4A and 4B, designated as 723C2-4P and 820C3-4P, respectively). In these assays, human PBMCs were isolated from whole blood and activated with 1.5 pM of the anti-CD3 clone OKT3 in the presence of anti-PD-1 antibodies or F(ab')2 fragments of the indicated anti-PD-1 antibodies. After 72 hours, human IFN-gamma cytokine levels in the supernatants were measured by MSD analysis. Because this suggests that Fc interactions are required for the functional agonistic activity of anti-PD-1 antibodies, the 723C2 antibody was generated in IgG1WT, IgG1KO, and IgG4Pro backbones to further characterize these interactions (723-IgG1WT, 723-IgG1KO, and 723-IgG4Pro, respectively, in Table 17 below). While both IgG1WT and IgG4 Pro bind to human Fc receptors to different extents, the IgG1KO backbone has greatly reduced binding to Fc receptors. The anti-PD-1 agonist antibody on IgG4 Pro showed the highest degree of IFNγ inhibition in human PBMC assays, while the antibody on IgG1KO showed greatly reduced binding (Table 17). Together, these data indicate that the functional agonism of anti-PD-1 antibodies is dependent on Fc interactions. [Table 19]

[0246] Example 12: In vivo model - xenogeneic CD4 + T cell GvHD model In vivo xenogeneic CD4 + The efficacy of PD-1 agonist antibodies was tested using a T cell GvHD mouse model. Eight NSG mice (NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl / SzJ, Jackson Laboratory) per group were inoculated with 5 × 10 PD-1 agonist antibodies from healthy donor leukopaks. 6 pieces CD4 + T cells (purified by negative selection) were injected intravenously. Mice were administered 0.625 mg / kg IP twice weekly as follows: Group 1: 723 (IgG4-Pro), Group 2: PD1AB-6-4P (IgG4-Pro), Group 3: anti-TNP isotype (IgG4-Pro), Group 4: avelumab (hIgG1-LALAPG), Group 5: anti-TNP isotype (hIgG1-LALAPG), and Group 6: CTLA4-Ig (hIgG1-LALA). TNP is trinitrophenol. LALA represents the Leu234Ala / Leu235Ala mutations commonly used to disrupt antibody effector function. PG represents the Pro329Gly mutation, which eliminates effector function by preventing binding to Fc gamma receptors. Three experimental replicates were performed, each with a unique donor. By week 4, significant inhibition of human cell accumulation was observed in groups 1, 2, and 6 compared to their isotype-matched controls for all donors tested (Table 18). Quantification of inflammatory cytokines at week 4 showed significant reductions in human IFNγ, TNFα, and IL-10 levels in all donors (Table 19). Human IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p70, and IL-13 were also tested, but all were below the limit of detection for the assay. [Table 20] [Table 21]

[0247] Example 13: Pharmacokinetic study in cynomolgus monkeys The pharmacokinetics (PK) of Antibody C was evaluated in male cynomolgus monkeys of Chinese origin after a single intravenous (IV) bolus dose of 0.1, 0.3, and 1.5 mg / kg or a subcutaneous (SC) dose of 1.5 mg / kg (n = 3 / group). Serum concentrations of Antibody C were determined using two different MSD immunoassay formats: (1) a "total" drug general anti-human capture and detection assay and (2) a "free" drug assay with antigen (PD1-ECD) capture and anti-human detection. PK profiles from both assays were superimposable, suggesting that endogenous sPD-1 did not interfere with Antibody C measurements and had little or no effect on TMDD. Antibody C showed a dose-dependent CL between 0.1 and 0.3 mg / kg (using both the free and "total" assays), suggesting a contribution of target-mediated pharmacokinetics (TMDD) to overall clearance. A summary of the NCA pharmacokinetic parameters for each of the respective doses is shown in Table 20 below. [Table 22]

[0248] Example 14: Transfection and production in CHO cells and biophysical data Transfection and production in CHO cells: CHO-E cells are transfected at ~2x10E6 cells / mL in Irvine BalanCD Transfectory CHO + 4mM L-glutamine (or Glutamax). The required amounts for a 1L transfection are 0.15mg HC DNA plus 0.3mg LC DNA, 1.05mg filler DNA (herring sperm), and 0.15mg XBP1 DNA. The DNA is diluted in 100mL OptiPro SFM and sterile filtered through a 0.2µm filter. 0.75mL Mirus TransIT Pro transfection reagent is added to the diluted DNA mixture, and the DNA complex is immediately added to the prepared CHO-E cells. The shake flask is returned to the shaker at 37°C, 5% CO2, and 140 rpm. Twenty-four hours after transfection, the temperature is shifted to 32°C and 2 mL of Gibco Anti-Clumping Agent and 100 mL of Irvine Transfectory Supplement are added to the transfected cells. Five days after transfection, the shaker temperature is shifted to 30°C. 200 mL of Irvine Transfectory Supplement is added between days 5 or 7, depending on when glucose levels fall between 2 g / L and 1 g / L. Transfected cultures are maintained for 10 days. Harvesting is performed by spinning down the cells followed by sterile filtration through a 0.2 μm PES filter (Thermo Scientific). After harvest, the clarified cell culture supernatant was sampled for titer using a ForteBio / Pall Octet Red 96 instrument with a Protein A biosensor as follows. Titers for Antibody A, Antibody C, and Antibody E were between 18 and 38 mg / L, with approximately 80% recovery from protein purification and greater than 98% monomer after SEC purification. The proteins were buffer exchanged into a final buffer containing 10 mM histidine-HCl, pH 6.0, and were stable for at least 4 months at 4°C, with a solubility of up to 180 mg / ml in this buffer. [Table 23] [Table 24] AUC: analytical ultracentrifugation measured by sedimentation velocity method at a concentration of 0.5-1 mg / ml; SEC: size exclusion chromatography. %M: percent monomer.

[0249] Example 15: Bispecific antibodies Materials and Methods Mouse antibodies and reagents. Anti-hPD1 (EH12.2H7) (Biolegend, 329912); anti-hCD48 (Bio-gems, 10511-25-500); IgG1 (catalog no. 16-4714-85), anti-hCD3 (OKT3) (16-0037-85), anti-hCD3 (UCHT1) (16-0038-85), and anti-CD11a (140011982) (from eBiosciences); anti-hCD71 (Southern Biotech, 9670-14); aCD3 / aCD28 human T cell activator Dynabeads (Gibco, 11131D). Imagestream. Jurkat PD-1 cells were incubated with AF-488 cholera toxin (Life Technologies, V-34403) and cross-linking antibody (Jackson ImmunoResearch) and either APCaCD3 (Biolegend, 317318), PV786aPD-1 (Biolegend, 329930), or APCaCD48 (Sigma, SAB4700193) in XVIVO 15 medium (Lonza) for 10 minutes on ice. Cells were activated by transfer to prewarmed X-VIVO 15 and incubated for an additional 12 minutes. Cell activation was stopped by the addition of cold PBS-2% PFA (approximately 1:10 ratio, cells:PFA), and cells were incubated in fixative solution for 20 minutes on ice. Cells were washed, resuspended in XVIVO, and analyzed for cap formation and perimeter threshold using Imagestream software. Flow cytometry. 1×10 5 Primary human T cells stimulated with Jurkat, Jurkat-PD-1, or aCD3 / aCD28 were incubated with primary MAb at 1 mg / ml for 1 hour at 4°C. If bispecific molecules were tested, eight-point binding curves were generated from a starting concentration of 6.25 mg / ml and serially diluted 1:4. Cells were washed and stained with PE-anti-mouse Ig (Life Technologies, P852) at a 1:100 dilution or PE-goat anti-human F(ab')2 (Invitrogen AHI1707) at a 1:800 dilution for 1 hour at 4°C. Samples were washed, fixed in 1x fixation / lysis buffer (eBioscience, 00-5333-57), and analyzed on an LSR2 (BD). PD-1 complementation assay. 2 × 10 cells overexpressing full-length PD-1-PK and full-length SHP1-EA fusion proteins in cells 4 Jurkat T cells were purchased from DiscoverX (DRX-BI-080515A) and cultured according to the manufacturer's instructions. Cells were resuspended in cell seeding medium (DiscoverX, 93-0563R4B) and preincubated with primary mouse or human antibodies for 30 minutes at 4°C. Depending on the experiment, cells were additionally preincubated with 10 mM pan-Src kinase inhibitor PP2 (Abcam, ab120308) or the inactive analog PP3 (Abcam, ab120617). Cells were washed and treated with or without cross-linking secondary goat anti-mouse IgG (Thermo Scientific, 31170). Cells were transferred to 384-white Opti-Plates (PerkinElmer), received Flash Detection reagent (DiscoverX, 93-0247), and read on an EnVision Plate Reader (PerkinElmer). Primary huT cell activation.Primary human Pan-T cells (AllCells, PB009-1F) were labeled with 500 nM Cell Trace Violet (Life Technologies, catalog no. c34557). Epoxy-dynabeads M450 (Invitrogen, 14011) were covalently coated with 2.5 mg of mouse Abs / 10 beads according to the manufacturer's instructions. Cells were either left unstimulated or stimulated with plate-bound anti-CD3 (UCHT1) (250 and 500 ng / mL) in the presence of Ab-coated epoxy beads. Cells were harvested 96 hours later and stained with BV510 anti-CD4 (BD, 562970) Abs and PeCy7 anti-CD8 (BD, 335787) Abs. Cell proliferation was analyzed by Cell Trace Violet dilution in an LSR2 (BD). Primary memory CD4+ / CD45RO+ T cells (AllCells, PB009-7F) were stimulated with 1 mg / well of plate-bound isotype control (ISO) or 1 mg / well of plate-bound anti-CD3 (UCHT1) in the presence of BsAb. Culture supernatants were collected at 72 hours and analyzed for IL-2 and IL-10 secretion (MSD). Generation of BsAbs and construct design.Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) were generated from published anti-CD48 (US 2012 / 0076790) and anti-PD1 (WO 2011 / 110621A1) sequences and used them as building blocks. Bispecific constructs were designed using knob-into-hole technology, which promotes heterodimerization of two different target variable regions (IgG1-KO), to generate BsAbs containing anti-PD-1 and anti-CD48 (PD-1 / CD48) or anti-PD-1 and anti-TNP (PD-1 / ISO) as a control (Figure 7A). The resulting variable region sequences for each target were cloned into pTT-5 (licensed from the National Research Council of Canada) expression vectors containing human constant regions. Briefly, the amino acid sequences of the variable regions were codon-optimized for mammalian expression. The light and heavy chains of the target V genes were cloned into the same expression vector, containing a connecting linker segment. The vector was linearized by restriction enzyme digestion using the EcoRI and NheI recognition sites. DNA sequences for the variable regions were ordered as G-blocks (dsDNA) from Integrated DNA Technologies (IDTDNA), with overlapping homologous ends to the vector and flanking linker segments. The G-blocks were then ligated via the Gibson assembly method (NEBuilder HiFi kit, New England Biolabs, catalog number E5510S) according to the manufacturer's protocol. Conventional cloning was then completed by transforming the assembly mixture into competent cells (NEB 5-alpha C2987, New England Biolabs) and growing them overnight at 37°C on LB agar plates with 100 μg / ml carbenicillin (Teknova). Individual colonies were picked and grown overnight at 37°C in LB medium with carbenicillin. Positive clones for the insert were confirmed by sequence analysis using the Lasergene software package (DNAstar). Sequence-verified plasmid DNA was scaled up in 0.5 L cultures and then purified via Plasmid Plus megaprep kit (Qiagen, catalog no. 12981) according to the manufacturer's protocol. CHO-E transient transfection. CHO-E cells are transfected at 2e6 cells / mL in FS-CHO supplemented with 2 mM glutamine. For a 1 L mAb transfection volume, 1 mg of light chain (LC) plasmid DNA and 0.5 mg of heavy chain (HC) plasmid DNA are diluted in 100 mL of OptiPro SFM (Gibco) and sterile filtered through a 0.2 μm filter (Millipore). 1.5 mL of TransIT Pro (Mirus Bio LLC) transfection reagent is added and incubated at room temperature for 15–30 minutes. The complex is then added to the prepared CHO-E cells, and the shake flask is returned to the shaker. 24 hours post-transfection, 10 mL of Anti-Clumping Agent and 150 mL of CHO CD Efficient Feed B (both from Gibco) are added to the transfected cells, and the temperature is shifted to 32°C. Transfected cultures are maintained for 6-12 days and monitored periodically throughout the culture for cell growth, viability, and nutrient consumption. Culture harvest is completed by centrifugation at 4700 rpm at 4°C, followed by sterile filtration. BsAbs purification. The collected culture supernatants were loaded at 1.0 ml / min onto a 1 ml HiTrap MabSelect SuRe column (GE, Catalog No. 11003493) pre-equilibrated with Buffer A (DPBS, pH 7.2). The column was washed with 10 ml each of Buffer A, Buffer B (DPBS plus 1.0 M NaCl), and again with Buffer A at 1 ml / min. Bound proteins were then eluted with 30 mM sodium acetate, pH 3.5. 5 ml fractions were neutralized with 1% volume-to-volume 3 M sodium acetate, pH 9. The final buffer after Protein A elution was 60 mM NaOAc, pH 5. The percentage of monomer was 71% for PD1 / ISO and 63% for PD1 / CD48 by aSEC. The MabSelect Sure-purified material was further polished to remove aggregates by cation exchange. A Poros GoPure HS Pre-packed column (Cat. No. 4481316) from Thermo Fisher Scientific was used for ion exchange. The Protein A sample was loaded onto a 1 ml Poros HS column pre-equilibrated with Buffer A (60 mM NaOAc, pH 5.0) and washed with 10 column volumes of Buffer A. The bound protein was then eluted with a 0% to 40% gradient in Buffer B (60 mM NaOAc, 1 M NaCl, pH 5.0) at 0.5 ml / min in 20 column volumes. The fractions around the peak were pooled and the salt concentration was adjusted to 100 mM NaCl. The sample was sterile filtered using a filtration unit. Protein concentration was measured, endotoxin levels were determined, and SDS-PAGE and aSEC were performed. NFAT luciferase assay. The Jurkat PD-1 NFAT reporter cell line was generated in-house. Human PD-1 (EX-B0169-M02) from GeneCopoeia was cloned into a vector and transfected into Jurkat cells (ATCC) via electroporation. An NFAT luciferase reporter (Promega E8481) was then transfected into the PD-1-expressing clone via electroporation. The THP-1 cell line was purchased from ATCC (TIB-202) and cultured according to the manufacturer's instructions. Jurkat PD-1 and NFAT reporter cells were resuspended in assay medium (RPMI, 2% HI-FBS) and plated at 3 × 10 4 THP-1 cells (3 x 10 cells / condition) were pre-incubated with a dose of BsAbs (100 nM starting concentration and 1:3 dilution) for 15 min in 384 flat-bottom Opti-Plates. 4Cells were stimulated with a 10 nM solution of CD3xCD33 activator for 6 h at 37° C. NFAT reporters were analyzed by addition of Steady-Glo® Luciferase Assay reagent form 15 min (Promega, E2520) and read on an EnVision plate reader.

[0250] result Cross-linking of CD48 and PD-1 promotes PD-1 phosphorylation. CD48 is a well-established lipid raft and IS resident protein in mouse and human lymphocytes (Elishmereni and Levi-Schaffer, 2011). To better assess the presence and abundance of CD48 in lipid rafts relative to those of PD-1 and CD3, we performed ImageStream experiments to quantify the colocalization of these receptors with cholera toxin (CT)-induced lipid raft capping in PD-1-overexpressing Jurkat cells at the single-cell level. Analysis of the colocalization of CD48, CD3, and PD-1 within CT-induced lipid raft caps was performed using fluorophore-conjugated MAbs. This analysis demonstrated that, unlike PD-1, CD3 and CD48 were readily observed within CT-induced capping. Quantification of perimeter revealed that smaller perimeter values ​​correlated with capping, and that capping of CD48 was evident after activation, albeit slightly less than that of CD3. In contrast, PD-1 did not typically colocalize with CT, consistent with the hypothesis that PD-1 requires an active process (e.g., interaction with PDL-1) to be recruited to lipid raft-enriched IS ( Yokosuka et al., 2012 ). The presence of CD48 in lipid rafts and its constitutive association with Src kinase (Lck in T cells) allowed us to hypothesize that, similar to CD3, the proximity of CD48 to PD-1 induces PD-1 activation / phosphorylation, because the canonical mechanism for PD-1 activation requires Lck-mediated phosphorylation of the intracellular ITSM and ITIM domains of PD-1 (Chemnitz et al., 2004; Parry et al., 2005; Sheppard et al., 2004). To test this hypothesis, customized Jurkat cell lines were generated expressing a human PD-1 fusion protein (PK) with one half of β-galactosidase (PK) and a cytosolic full-length SHP1 fusion protein (EA) with the complementary half of β-galactosidase. PD-1 activation was thus measured as a function of PK / EA complementation, resulting from the recruitment of SHP1 to phosphorylated PD1, thereby producing functional β-galactosidase. After confirming the expression of PD-1, CD48, and CD3 in these cells, experiments were set up to evaluate the potential of MAbs against CD48 to induce PD-1 activation upon crosslinking (Figure 5). PD-1 activation was not induced in the absence of PD-1 MAbs or Fc-specific secondary F(ab')2 antibodies. Crosslinking with secondary antibodies induced PD-1 activation approximately threefold; however, in the presence of CD48 or CD3 MAbs, PD-1 activation was enhanced approximately ninefold, indicating that close association of PD-1 with CD48 or CD3 can enhance PD-1 activation. The low level of PD-1 activation induced by autocrosslinking was not surprising. This is because studies have demonstrated that a small fraction of Lck constitutively associates with PD-1 on T cells (Sheppard et al., 2004).

[0251] CD48-dependent activation of PD-1 requires Src kinase activity.To determine whether CD48-mediated enhancement of PD-1 activation / phosphorylation is dependent on Src kinase activity, cross-linking experiments were performed in the presence of the pan-Src kinase inhibitor PP2 or the inactive analog PP3. Src kinase inhibition abrogated PD-1 activation upon auto- or co-cross-linking with CD48, indicating that Lck activity is required for PD-1 activation. To further validate this concept, PD-1 activation was assessed by cross-linking PD-1 with suboptimal amounts of anti-PD-1 in the presence of an antibody against CD71 (a receptor that does not translocate into lipid rafts and does not bind Src kinase (Schatzlmaier et al., 2015)). Cross-linking of PD-1 with CD71 did not result in PD-1 activation, supporting the finding that translocation of PD-1 to an environment rich in activated Src kinase allows PD-1 phosphorylation and activation.

[0252] CD48-dependent PD-1 activation blunts AR-induced proliferation of primary human T cells.To functionally assess the ability of CD48-dependent PD-1 activation to regulate T cell function, magnetic beads were covalently co-coated with CD48, PD-1 MAb, and an isotype control and tested on primary human T cells (CD4+ and CD8+) stimulated with plate-bound anti-CD3. First, we confirmed the expression of CD48 and PD-1 on human CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes before activation. To assess the effect of coated beads on cell activation, human pan-T cells were labeled with CellTrace-Violet and then activated with CD3 MAb, and cell proliferation was analyzed by CellTrace dilution (Figure 6). As shown in Figure 6, beads coated with both CD48 and PD-1 MAb significantly reduced T cell proliferation compared with cells treated with beads coated with either CD48 or PD-1 MAb alone, and the inhibitory effect was more significant in CD4+ than in CD8+ cells. As an additional control, we also tested beads co-coated with PD-1 and CD11a MAbs; the latter was chosen on the premise that CD11a is not a constitutively lipid raft-resident protein. As expected, PD-1 had no inhibitory function upon recruitment with CD11a. These results further support the hypothesis that PD-1 activation by lipid raft-resident molecules (i.e., CD48) can effectively activate PD-1 and inhibit T cell proliferation.

[0253] A bispecific antibody against PD-1 and CD48 induces PD-1 activation and modulates cytokine secretion and NFAT activation in AR-stimulated human T cells.The results obtained using beads coated with separate monoclonal antibodies prompted us to generate bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) to test the hypothesis that molecular localization of PD-1 with CD48 provides an inhibitory signal to activated human T cells (Figure 7). Using published antibodies (agonistic anti-PD-1 Abs from patent application WO2011 / 110621A1 and anti-CD48 Abs from US2012 / 0076790), we engineered BsAbs as knob-or-hole single heavy / light chain constructs to generate BsAbs containing anti-PD-1 and anti-CD48 (PD-1 / CD48) or, as a control, anti-PD-1 and anti-TNP (PD-1 / ISO) (Figure 7A). Binding of each arm to PD-1 or CD48 was demonstrated by flow cytometry in Jurkat cells overexpressing PD-1 to detect binding of both PD-1 and CD48, or lacking PD-1 expression to detect CD48 binding alone (Fig. 7B). Using the Jurkat PD-1 complementation assay system described above, we demonstrated that the PD-1 / CD48 BsAb induced PD-1 activation approximately threefold more potently than the PD-1 / ISO control, and confirmed that PD-1 / CD48 colocalization using this BsAb format also resulted in enhanced PD-1 phosphorylation (Fig. 6). To assess the functional effects of the PD-1 / CD48 BsAb, human memory CD4+ T (PD1+) cells were stimulated with plate-bound anti-CD3e in the presence of plate-bound PD-1 / CD48 BsAb or control antibody and analyzed for cytokine secretion (Fig. 7C). This analysis revealed the immunomodulatory effect of PD-1 / CD48 BsAb, as it significantly reduced the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-2 but enhanced the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Because IL-2 secretion requires NFAT transcriptional activation (Chow et al., 1999), the effect of PD-1 / CD48 BsAb on NFAT activation was assessed in Jurkat T cells expressing both PD-1 and an NFAT-luciferase reporter and activated with anti-CD3e in the presence of THP-1 cells for costimulation.This analysis showed that PD-1 / CD48 BsAbs were able to reduce NFAT reporter expression by >10–30% more than control antibodies, indicating that CD48-dependent activation of PD-1 also inhibits key T cell effector transcriptional events leading to IL-2 production.

Claims

1. a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 165 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 166 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 76 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 165 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 166 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); or a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73 (H-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 79 (H-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77 (H-CDR3); and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 165 (L-CDR1); the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 167 (L-CDR2); and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 (L-CDR3); An anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprising:

2. The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of claim 1, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is a humanized antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.

3. The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of claim 1 or 2, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is selected from the group consisting of a monoclonal antibody, Fab, F(ab')2, Fv, and scFv.

4. 4. The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises a heavy chain variable region having at least 90% identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:135, SEQ ID NO:131, SEQ ID NO:133, SEQ ID NO:137, or SEQ ID NO:139, and a light chain variable region having at least 90% identity to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:127, SEQ ID NO:125, or SEQ ID NO:

129.

5. the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region having at least 90% identity to the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 135 and SEQ ID NO: 127, respectively; a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region having at least 90% identity to the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 131 and SEQ ID NO: 125, respectively; a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region having at least 90% identity to the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 133 and SEQ ID NO: 127, respectively; a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region having at least 90% identity to the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 137 and SEQ ID NO: 129, respectively; or Heavy chain variable regions and light chain variable regions having at least 90% identity to the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 139 and SEQ ID NO: 129, respectively. The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:

6. the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 135 and SEQ ID NO: 127, respectively; a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 131 and SEQ ID NO: 125, respectively; a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 133 and SEQ ID NO: 127, respectively; a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 137 and SEQ ID NO: 129, respectively; or Heavy chain variable region and light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 139 and SEQ ID NO: 129, respectively. The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

7. The anti-PD-1 antibody of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the antibody comprises a heavy chain constant region selected from the group consisting of IgG4, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgM, IgA, and IgE constant regions.

8. The anti-PD-1 antibody of claim 7, wherein the heavy chain constant region is an IgG4 heavy chain constant region with a Ser228Pro mutation.

9. The anti-PD-1 antibody of claim 7, wherein the heavy chain constant region is an IgG1 heavy chain constant region with Leu234Ala and Leu235Ala mutations.

10. 10. The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises a light chain constant region selected from the group consisting of kappa and lambda.

11. The antibody heavy and light chains comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 143 and SEQ ID NO: 141, respectively; heavy and light chains comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 147 and SEQ ID NO: 145, respectively; heavy and light chains comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 153 and SEQ ID NO: 151, respectively; or Heavy and light chains comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 155 and SEQ ID NO: 151, respectively The anti-PD-1 antibody of any one of claims 1 to 8 and 10, comprising:

12. The anti-PD-1 antibody of any one of claims 1 to 8, 10, and 11, wherein the antibody consists of a heavy chain and a light chain consisting of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 143 and SEQ ID NO: 141, respectively.

13. The anti-PD-1 antibody of any one of claims 1 to 8, 10, and 11, wherein the antibody consists of a heavy chain and a light chain consisting of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 147 and SEQ ID NO: 145, respectively.

14. The anti-PD-1 antibody of any one of claims 1 to 8, 10, and 11, wherein the antibody consists of a heavy chain and a light chain consisting of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 153 and SEQ ID NO: 151, respectively.

15. The anti-PD-1 antibody of any one of claims 1 to 8, 10, and 11, wherein the antibody consists of a heavy chain and a light chain consisting of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 155 and SEQ ID NO: 151, respectively.

16. The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is a monoclonal antibody.

17. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 16 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

18. The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of claims 1 to 16, for use as a pharmaceutical.

19. The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 16, for treating a PD-1 pathway disorder.

20. The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to any one of claims 1 to 16, for treating a chronic inflammatory disease or an acute inflammatory disease.

21. Arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, COPD, pelvic inflammatory disease, Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Peyronie's disease, celiac disease, gallbladder disease, pilonidal disease, peritonitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, vasculitis, surgical adhesions, stroke, type 1 diabetes, Lyme disease, meningoencephalitis, autoimmune uveitis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus, Guillain-Barré syndrome, atopic dermatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, fibrosing alveolitis, Graves' disease, IgA nephropathy, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Meniere's disease, pemphigus 17. The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 16, for treating a disorder selected from the group consisting of: primary biliary cirrhosis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, Wegener's granulomatosis, other autoimmune disorders, pancreatitis, trauma, surgery, graft-versus-host disease, transplant rejection, heart disease, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, intravascular coagulation, bone resorption, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, periodontitis, hypochlorhydria; infertility associated with lack of feto-maternal tolerance; Sjogren's syndrome, vitiligo, myasthenia gravis, and systemic sclerosis.

22. 20. The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of claim 19, wherein the PD-1 pathway disorder is selected from the group consisting of systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, giant cell arteritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

23. 23. The anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered by parenteral, intravenous, or subcutaneous route.

24. 20. Use of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 16 in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a PD-1 pathway disorder.

25. Use of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 16 in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a chronic inflammatory disease or an acute inflammatory disease.

26. Arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, COPD, pelvic inflammatory disease, Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Peyronie's disease, celiac disease, gallbladder disease, pilonidal disease, peritonitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, vasculitis, surgical adhesions, stroke, type 1 diabetes, Lyme disease, meningoencephalitis, autoimmune uveitis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus, Guillain-Barré syndrome, atopic dermatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, fibrosing alveolitis, Graves' disease, IgA nephropathy, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Meniere's disease, pemphigus, primary biliary tract infection Use of the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 16 in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a disorder selected from the group consisting of: liver cirrhosis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, Wegener's granulomatosis, other autoimmune disorders, pancreatitis, trauma, surgery, graft-versus-host disease, transplant rejection, heart disease, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, intravascular coagulation, bone resorption, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, periodontitis, hypochlorhydria; infertility associated with lack of feto-maternal tolerance; Sjogren's syndrome, vitiligo, myasthenia gravis, and systemic sclerosis.

27. 25. The use of claim 24, wherein the PD-1 pathway disorder is selected from the group consisting of systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, giant cell arteritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

28. The use according to any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is administered by parenteral, intravenous or subcutaneous route.

29. An isolated polynucleotide encoding the anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of any one of claims 1 to 16.

30. An isolated polynucleotide encoding the heavy chain variable region and / or the light chain variable region of any one of claims 1 and 4 to 6.

31. An isolated polynucleotide encoding the heavy and / or light chain of the antibody of any one of claims 7 to 15.

32. An expression vector comprising the polynucleotide of any one of claims 29 to 31.

33. A host cell comprising the expression vector of claim 32.

34. 34. The host cell of claim 33, wherein the cell is a mammalian cell.

35. - ex vivo culturing a host cell comprising an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a heavy chain comprising the heavy chain variable region of any one of claims 1 and 4 to 6 and an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a light chain comprising the light chain variable region of any one of claims 1 and 4 to 6 under conditions that allow the formation of antibodies; and - recovering said antibody A method for producing an antibody, comprising:

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the host cell comprises an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the heavy chain of the antibody of any one of claims 7 to 15, and an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the light chain of the antibody of any one of claims 7 to 15.

37. 37. The method of claim 35 or 36, further comprising purifying the antibody.

38. 38. The method of any one of claims 35 to 37, further comprising formulating the antibody in a pharmaceutical composition.

39. 10. A multispecific antibody comprising a first anti-PD-1 agonist antigen-binding site and a second antigen-binding site, wherein the first anti-PD-1 agonist antigen-binding site comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region of any one of claims 1, 2, and 4-6.

40. 40. The multispecific antibody of claim 39, wherein the second antigen-binding site is an anti-CD48 binding site, an anti-CD2 binding site, an anti-CD11a binding site, or an anti-CD3 binding site.

41. 41. The multispecific antibody of claim 39 or 40, wherein the antibody is a bispecific antibody.

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