CCR2 Cytotoxicity Targeting Chimeras for Selective Antibody Recruitment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antibody-based therapeutics suffer from bioavailability issues, high cost, thermal instability, and complex manufacturing, while small molecule therapeutics lack selectivity and cause off-target effects, necessitating improved therapeutic approaches for targeting pathogenic cells.

Innovation Solution

Development of heterobifunctional molecules, known as cytotoxicity targeting chimeras (CyTaCs) or antibody recruiting molecules (ARMs), which bind to a target cell-surface protein and an exogenous antibody, utilizing a divalent linker to enhance antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) and deplete CCR2-expressing cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If antibody-based therapeutics are used to target pathogenic cells, then selectivity and immune control are improved, but bioavailability, thermal stability, and manufacturing ease deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveselectivityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the therapeutic function into two separate components: a small molecule CCR2-binding agent and a separate antibody. The small molecule handles target recognition and binding, while the antibody provides effector functions. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, improving manufacturability while maintaining selectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the small molecule CCR2-binding agent acts as a bridge to recruit antibodies to the target cell surface. This intermediary approach allows the small molecule to guide the antibody to the correct target, combining the selectivity advantages of both small molecules and antibodies while avoiding their individual limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If small molecule therapeutics are used for treatment, then affordability and stability are improved, but selectivity and off-target effects worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaffordabilityVSAvoidselectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the advantages of small molecules (affordability, stability) with the advantages of antibodies (selectivity, immune control) into a single therapeutic strategy. The small molecule CCR2-binding agent provides the affordability and stability, while the recruited antibody provides the selectivity and immune-mediated cytotoxicity, creating a synergistic combination that overcomes the limitations of either approach alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Power

If heterobifunctional molecules are used to recruit antibodies, then ADCC enhancement is improved, but molecular complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveADCC activityVSAvoidmolecular complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a self-service mechanism where the small molecule CCR2-binding agent autonomously recruits antibodies to the target cell surface through its binding to CCR2. The system uses the natural expression of CCR2 on target cells as a built-in recruitment signal, eliminating the need for complex engineered recruitment domains or additional recruitment molecules, thereby enhancing ADCC while limiting complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4384223B1Cytotoxicity targeting chimeras for CCR2-expressing cells
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 GLAXOSMITHKLINE INTPROP DEV LTD
  • EP4384223B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4384223B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP4384223B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to heterobifunctional molecules, referred to as cytotoxicity targeting chimeras (CyTaCs) or antibody recruiting molecules (ARMs) that are able to simultaneously bind a target cell-surface protein as well as an exogenous antibody protein. The present disclosure also relates to agents capable of binding to a receptor on a surface of a pathogenic cell and inducing the depletion of the pathogenic cell in a subject for use in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, viral infection, or bacterial infection.