Anti-TIM-3 Antibodies for Reversing Immune Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current therapies targeting TIM-3 signaling have limitations in effectively antagonizing TIM-3-mediated immune suppression, which can modulate immune responses in diseases such as cancer and infectious diseases.

Innovation Solution

Development of antibodies that specifically bind to human TIM-3 and antagonize its function, increasing T cell activation and reducing Treg-mediated immune suppression, thereby treating cancer and infectious diseases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current TIM-3 signaling therapies are used, then treatment can be administered, but effectiveness in antagonizing TIM-3-mediated immune suppression is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of TIM-3 antagonismVSAvoidtherapy complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by modifying antibody structures (humanized, chimeric, monoclonal variants) and their binding affinities to TIM-3 to enhance therapeutic effectiveness. Different antibody formats (IgG1, IgG2, IgG4 subclasses) are used to optimize pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters, thereby improving reliability of TIM-3 antagonism while maintaining manageable therapy complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops universal anti-TIM-3 antibody molecules that can function across multiple disease indications (cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders) and can be used in various therapeutic contexts (monotherapy, combination therapy). This multi-functionality approach improves reliability by providing a versatile tool that addresses TIM-3-mediated immune suppression in diverse pathological conditions without requiring disease-specific modifications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If TIM-3-mediated immune suppression is not effectively antagonized, then immune responses remain modulated in diseases, but therapeutic intervention fails to activate sufficient T cell response

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveT cell activation levelVSAvoidimmune suppression
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using anti-TIM-3 antibodies to block the inhibitory TIM-3 signaling pathway before it can suppress T cell activation. By preemptively antagonizing TIM-3 receptors on T cells and other immune cells, the therapy prevents the harmful immune suppression from occurring, thereby enabling sufficient T cell activation to mount effective immune responses against tumors or pathogens

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of TIM-3-mediated immune suppression into a beneficial therapeutic outcome by using anti-TIM-3 antibodies to reverse the suppressive signaling. The same TIM-3 pathway that normally downregulates immune responses is targeted to unleash enhanced T cell activation and cytotoxicity, transforming the harmful immune tolerance into beneficial anti-tumor or anti-infectious immunity

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

Data Source

PatentEP3464360B1Anti-tim-3 antibodies and methods of use thereof
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 AGENUS INC
  • EP3464360B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3464360B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3464360B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The instant disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to TIM-3 (e.g., human TIM-3) and antagonize TIM-3 function. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, expression vectors and host cells for making these antibodies, and methods of treating a subject using these antibodies.