Anti-TNFα Antibody Engineering for High Affinity and Cross-Reactivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current anti-TNFα antibodies have limitations such as reduced affinity, lower potency, and limited cross-reactivity with TNFα from non-human primates, which affects their efficacy in treating chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, and they often require frequent intravenous or subcutaneous administration due to stability issues.

Innovation Solution

Development of antibody molecules with high affinity for human TNFα, capable of inhibiting TNFα-induced apoptosis in L929 cells, and exhibiting substantial cross-reactivity with TNFα from Cynomolgus and Rhesus monkeys, along with improved stability, specifically designed to bind human TNFα with a dissociation equilibrium constant (Kd) less than 100 pM and maintain potency and specificity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current anti-TNFα antibodies are used, then they can treat chronic inflammatory diseases, but they have reduced affinity and lower potency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaffinity and potencyVSAvoidtreatment efficacy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the antibody structure to achieve high affinity (Kd < 100 pM) and high potency (neutralization potency > 50% at 10 µg/mL). The engineered antibodies use optimized variable regions with specific amino acid sequences that enhance binding affinity to TNFα while maintaining stability, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If current anti-TNFα antibodies are administered frequently, then therapeutic outcomes can be maintained, but administration frequency is high due to stability issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic outcomeVSAvoidadministration frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the stability parameter of the antibody by engineering improved constant regions and optimizing glycosylation patterns. The resulting antibodies exhibit enhanced serum half-life and resistance to proteolytic degradation, allowing maintenance of therapeutic outcomes with reduced administration frequency compared to prior art antibodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If current anti-TNFα antibodies are used, then they show limited cross-reactivity with TNFα from non-human primates, but this is necessary for animal testing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-reactivityVSAvoidanimal test validity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by designing antibodies with broad cross-reactivity across human, cynomolgus monkey, and rhesus monkey TNFα variants. The variable regions are engineered to recognize conserved epitopes present in all three species, enabling the same antibody to function effectively in both human therapeutic applications and non-human primate preclinical studies, thereby eliminating the need for species-specific antibody development.

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

4Reliability

If current anti-TNFα antibodies are used, then they require frequent administration, but this increases treatment burden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidadministration convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pharmacokinetic parameters of the antibody by optimizing the Fc region structure and glycosylation to extend serum half-life. The engineered antibodies maintain sustained therapeutic effects at lower administration frequencies, significantly improving ease of operation and reducing treatment burden while preserving reliable therapeutic efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The new antibody molecules demonstrate enhanced affinity, potency, and stability, allowing for effective treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases with improved administration profiles and increased cross-reactivity, potentially reducing the frequency of dosing and enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

anti-TNFα antibodies and functional fragments thereof, capable of binding to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntigen-antibody binding:

Data Source

PatentEP3430045B1Anti-tnfalpha-antibodies and functional fragments thereof
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 TILLOTS PHARMA AG

AI summary

The present invention relates to antibodymolecules and functional fragments thereof, capable of binding to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), to processes for their production, and to their therapeutic uses.