Lyophilized Anti-PD-1 Antibody Formulation for Shelf-Life Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antibody therapeutics for targeting the PD-1 pathway in human subjects face challenges due to immunogenicity and the need for stable formulations that maintain bioactivity during storage and transportation, particularly for treating cancers and chronic infections.

Innovation Solution

Development of lyophilized formulations of anti-human PD-1 antibodies or antigen binding fragments, comprising histidine buffer, polysorbate 80, and sucrose, with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0, allowing reconstitution at concentrations of 25 mg/mL to 100 mg/mL, and including specific CDR sequences for enhanced stability and efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If antibody therapeutics are stored in liquid form, then they maintain bioactivity, but they have limited shelf-life and require cold chain storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshelf-lifeVSAvoidbioactivity stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies freeze-drying (lyophilization) to convert the antibody formulation from liquid to solid frozen state, then to dry solid state. This phase transition enables long-term storage at ambient temperatures while maintaining bioactivity, resolving the contradiction between shelf-life and bioactivity stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite lyophilized formulation containing the anti-PD-1 antibody combined with excipients (sucrose, histidine, polysorbate 80). This composite material provides both long-term stability during storage and maintains bioactivity upon reconstitution, addressing the contradiction between shelf-life and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If antibody formulations are concentrated to high doses, then treatment effectiveness improves, but formulation stability during storage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantibody concentrationVSAvoidformulation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The lyophilization process enables the formulation to be stored in a stable frozen/dry state at high antibody concentrations (25-100 mg/mL). The phase transition to solid frozen state prevents aggregation and degradation that would occur in liquid form at such high concentrations, thus maintaining both quantity and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The composite formulation includes stabilizing excipients (sucrose at 7%, histidine buffer, polysorbate 80 at 0.02%) that protect the high-concentration antibody from aggregation and degradation during storage. This composite structure enables both high concentration and long-term stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If lyophilized formulations are reconstituted at high concentrations, then administration efficiency improves, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadministration efficiencyVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lyophilized formulation serves multiple functions: it provides long-term stable storage, enables high-concentration reconstitution for efficient administration, and includes all necessary excipients in a single冻干 cake. This multi-functionality improves productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The formulation is prepared in advance with all excipients and stabilizers incorporated during the lyophilization process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate stabilization steps and simplifies the overall formulation process, enabling high-concentration reconstitution without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 formulations provide stable, bioactive antibodies that can be administered at high or low concentrations, effectively treating various cancers and chronic infections with improved shelf-life and reduced immunogenicity.

Implementation Method 1

stable formulations of antibodies against human programmed death receptor PD-1... lyophilized formulations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Data Source

PatentEP4729071A2Stable formulations of antibodies to human programmed death receptor PD-1 and related treatments
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 MERCK SHARP & DOHME LLC
  • EP4729071A2 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4729071A2 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4729071A2 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

The present invention relates to stable formulations of antibodies against human programmed death receptor PD-1, or antigen binding fragments thereof. The present invention further provides methods for treating various cancers and chronic infections with stable formulations of antibodies against human programmed death receptor PD-1, or antigen binding fragments thereof.