Novel Linker Compound for Antibody-Drug Conjugates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current linker compounds for antibody-drug conjugates lack excellent plasma stability and chemical stability, and they often release the drug non-selectively, leading to toxic side effects.

Innovation Solution

A novel linker compound represented by Formula 1 and its corresponding ligand-drug conjugate, which features a self-eliminating linker and a triggering group capable of initiating a 1,6-elimination reaction for selective drug release within target cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a thiol-maleimide linker is used as a non-cleavable linker, then the antibody-drug conjugate can be formed, but the chemical and plasma stability is low and potency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplasma stabilityVSAvoidside effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the linker by using a disulfide bond instead of a thiol-maleimide bond, and introducing a self-immolative group with specific chemical properties that provide both plasma stability and controlled release capability through parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite linker structure combining a disulfide bond, a self-immolative group (such as a p-aminobenzyl alcohol derivative), and a triggering group, which together provide both stability in plasma and selective release at the target site

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If a chemically separable linker (disulfide, hydrazone, or oxime bond) is used, then the drug can be separated from the antibody, but the drug may dissociate at locations unrelated to the target site resulting in toxic side effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug release efficiencyVSAvoidtoxic side effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a self-immolative group as an intermediary between the disulfide bond and the drug. This intermediary remains intact during circulation, prevents premature drug release, and only triggers drug release after the disulfide bond is cleaved by intracellular glutathione, thus eliminating toxic side effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the linker so that the disulfide bond is cleaved first by intracellular glutathione, which then triggers the subsequent decomposition of the self-immolative group and release of the drug. This preliminary action ensures the drug is only released after entering the target cell

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a linker with self-immolative group is used for enzymatic hydrolysis, then selective drug release can be achieved, but plasma stability and chemical stability are not excellent

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveselectivityVSAvoidchemical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the chemical parameters by using a disulfide bond instead of hydrolyzable bonds like hydrazone or oxime, and carefully designing the self-immolative group to be stable at physiological pH and plasma conditions but decomposable under intracellular conditions through parameter optimization

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 novel linker compound achieves excellent plasma and chemical stability, enabling rapid and selective release of the drug within target cells, thereby minimizing systemic toxicity and maximizing therapeutic efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

a triggering group (T) capable of initiating a 1,6-elimination reaction for selective drug release within target cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific Effect1,6-elimination reaction:

Implementation Method 2

When the compound of Formula 1 comprises a beta-galactoside triggering group, the compound can be dissociated by an enzyme such as beta-galactosidase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

the compound can be dissociated by an enzyme such as beta-galactosidase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP4545097A1Novel linker compound and ligand-drug conjugate therefor
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 TRIOAR INC
  • EP4545097A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4545097A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4545097A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides a novel linker compound and a ligand-drug conjugate thereof. This can stably deliver an active ingredient to a target site and rapidly release the active ingredient at the target site, and thus can increase efficacy of the active ingredient and can prevent the active ingredient from causing side effects at locations other than the target location.