HNF-1α Dimerization Domain Bispecific Antibody Avidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for developing multispecific binding agents, such as antibodies, often focus on improving specific functional aspects but fail to confer all desired pharmacological significance, and existing bispecific antibodies lack a dimerization component that enhances their functional characteristics.

Innovation Solution

The development of bispecific binding agents comprising two fusion proteins, each with a first scFv that binds a tumor antigen, a second scFv that binds CD3, and a dimerization component based on human hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 alpha (HNF-1α), which includes a sequence at least 90% identical to residues 1-32 of HNF-1α, facilitating homodimerization and improving binding affinity and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If recombinant DNA technology is used to generate multispecific antibodies, then functional aspects can be improved, but all desired pharmacological significance cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepharmacological significanceVSAvoidengineered protein structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antibody is divided into separate functional domains: variable regions (scFv) for antigen binding and a constant region containing the HNF-1α dimerization domain. This segmentation allows each domain to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall protein stability and pharmacological properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite protein structure by fusing different antibody components (scFv from different specificities) with a dimerization domain (HNF-1α). This composite structure combines the binding capabilities of different antibodies with the stabilizing and multimerizing properties of the HNF-1α domain, achieving desired pharmacological significance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If engineered antibodies are created with unique formats, then certain functional aspects are improved, but not all desired functional properties are achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional propertiesVSAvoidantibody format
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The HNF-1α dimerization domain serves multiple functions simultaneously: it mediates homodimerization of the antibody molecules, provides structural stability to the engineered protein, and enables the formation of multispecific binding agents. This multi-functionality increases adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The HNF-1α dimerization domain acts as an intermediary element that connects and stabilizes the different scFv components. It mediates the interaction between monomeric units to form functional dimers, enabling the antibody to achieve desired functional properties through this intermediate structural element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If dimerization component is added to bispecific binding agent, then avidity and potency are increased, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding avidityVSAvoidprotein structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the binding functions of different antibodies with the dimerization function of HNF-1α into a single integrated protein structure. This combining approach increases binding avidity by enabling multivalent interactions while maintaining a relatively simple overall architecture through the use of a single dimerization domain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 inclusion of the HNF-1α dimerization component enhances the functional characteristics of bispecific binding agents, leading to increased avidity and potency in targeting tumor cells, with improved T-cell mediated killing and prolonged serum half-life compared to agents lacking this component.

Implementation Method 1

a dimerization component comprising a human hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 alpha (HNF-1α) element, wherein the HNF-1α element comprises a sequence that is at least 90% identical to residues 1-32 of SEQ ID NO:1 and capable of homodimerization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHomodimerization: Cohesion

Data Source

PatentEP2968547B1Multimerization technologies
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENT
  • EP2968547B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2968547B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2968547B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The present invention provides, among other things, dimeric multispecific binding agents (e.g., fusion proteins comprising antibody components) that have improved properties over multispecific binding agents without the capability of dimerization.