Small G-CSFR Binding Proteins for Thermostable Receptor Inhibition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current G-CSFR binders, such as antibodies, are large in size, costly, require cold storage, and have low thermostability, limiting their therapeutic applicability due to high production costs and reduced tumor penetration.

Innovation Solution

Development of non-immunoglobulin-derived polypeptides and proteins that specifically bind to G-CSFR, with a size of ≤ 50 kDa, enhanced thermostability, and improved tumor penetration capabilities, allowing for easier production and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If antibodies are used as G-CSFR binders, then binding affinity and specificity are achieved, but molecular size is large (150 kDa) resulting in high production costs and reduced tumor penetration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding affinityVSAvoidmolecular size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the antibody structure into a smaller functional binding unit by using single-domain antibodies (nanobodies) that contain only the variable domain (VH) responsible for antigen binding. This segmentation reduces molecular size from 150 kDa to approximately 15-20 kDa while preserving binding affinity and specificity for G-CSFR

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential binding function from the complete antibody structure by isolating the variable heavy domain (VH) that contains the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) responsible for G-CSFR recognition. This extraction eliminates the constant regions and other antibody components that contribute to molecular weight but are not essential for binding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If antibodies are used as G-CSFR binders, then binding functionality is achieved, but thermostability is low and cold chain storage is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding functionalityVSAvoidthermostability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality changes by introducing stabilizing mutations specifically in the VH domain structure, optimizing disulfide bridge positions, and enhancing the framework regions to increase thermal stability. These localized modifications improve thermostability without affecting the CDR regions responsible for binding functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite molecular structure by fusing the VH domain with stable protein scaffolds or linkers that enhance overall thermostability. This composite approach combines the binding functionality of the VH domain with the structural stability of engineered protein frameworks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If antibodies are used as G-CSFR binders, then binding capability is achieved, but production costs are high due to molecular size and complex manufacturing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding capabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adopts a disposable single-use approach with nanobody formulations that eliminate the need for complex manufacturing infrastructure. The small molecular size and simplified structure allow for cost-effective production in simpler bioreactor systems without requiring the extensive purification and formulation processes needed for full-size antibodies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If antibodies are used as G-CSFR binders, then receptor binding is achieved, but tumor penetration is reduced due to large molecular size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceptor bindingVSAvoidmolecular dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the antibody into a compact nanobody format that can navigate through the extracellular matrix and tumor vasculature more effectively. The reduced molecular dimensions (15-20 kDa versus 150 kDa) enable better tissue penetration while the engineered CDR regions maintain high-affinity binding to G-CSFR on tumor cells

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4670784A1G-CSFR-binding protein
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 EBERHARD KARLS UNIV TUBINGEN MEDIZINISCHE FAKULTAT
  • EP4670784A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4670784A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4670784A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3I

AI summary

The present invention relates to a polypeptide configured to assemble into a binder of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR), a protein comprising said polypeptide, a nucleic acid molecule encoding said polypeptide or protein, an expression vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule, a recombinant host cell comprising said polypeptide, protein, nucleic acid molecule and/or expression vector, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the said polypeptide, protein, nucleic acid molecule, expression vector and/or host cell, and to a kit.