Anti-CD40 Antibody Formulation with Aggregation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current immunosuppressive treatments for autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection have limitations, including efficacy in only a portion of patients, risk of adverse effects, and long-term tolerability issues, with a need for safer and more effective agents that target multiple immunological pathways and cell types.

Innovation Solution

Development of high-concentration aqueous and lyophilized formulations of anti-CD40 antibodies, such as mAb1, mAb2, and mAb3, with specific amino acid mutations to silence ADCC activity, formulated with stabilizers, buffering agents, and surfactants to minimize aggregation and maintain bioactivity, suitable for subcutaneous administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional immunosuppressive treatments are used, then short-term efficacy is achieved, but long-term tolerability and safety deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort-term efficacyVSAvoidlong-term tolerability and safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the Fc region parameters of the anti-CD40 antibody by introducing specific amino acid mutations (N297A, D265A, L234A, L235A) that silence ADCC activity. This parameter change in the antibody structure allows it to maintain immunosuppressive efficacy while reducing harmful immune activation, thereby improving long-term tolerability and safety profile

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful ADCC activity of anti-CD40 antibodies into a benefit by selectively silencing it through Fc region mutations. The mutated antibodies retain their ability to block CD40-CD154 interactions and suppress immune responses while eliminating the harmful cytotoxic effects, thus transforming a double-edged sword into a safer therapeutic agent

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Quantity of substance

If high concentration antibody formulations are used, then dosing volume is reduced, but aggregation and instability increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantibody concentrationVSAvoidaggregation and bioactivity maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces stabilizing excipients as intermediary substances in the formulation, including surfactants (polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, or cholesterol) at 0.01-0.5% w/v, and buffering agents (histidine, sodium phosphate, or citrate) at pH 5.0-7.0. These intermediaries prevent antibody aggregation and maintain bioactivity, enabling stable high-concentration formulations up to 300 mg/ml

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes formulation parameters including pH (5.0-7.0), ionic strength, and excipient concentrations to enable stable high-concentration antibody formulations. The specific combination of buffering agents, surfactants, and controlled pH creates an optimal chemical environment that prevents aggregation even at concentrations up to 300 mg/ml

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11612659B2Anti-CD40 antibody formulation delivery device
Publication Date: 2023.03.28 NOVARTIS AG

AI summary

Anti-CD40 antibodies are formulated as lyophilisate or liquid formulation. The lyophilisates can be reconstituted to give a solution with a high concentration of the antibody active ingredient for delivery to a patient without high levels of antibody aggregation. The lyophilisate can be reconstituted with an aqueous reconstituent to provide an aqueous composition in which the antibody has a concentration of at least 50 mg/ml. The lyophilisate or aqueous pharmaceutical composition may include one or more of a sugar, a buffering agent, a surfactant, and/or a free amino acid.