Biométhodes reports a new success in antibody optimisation using Massive Mutagenesis®

The collaboration started a few months ago between Biométhodes and the Research Center of French Health Services for the Armed Forces (CRSSA) has rapidly delivered improved antibodies of medical interest.

In this project, Biométhodes' proprietary technology Massive Mutagenesis® has been applied to generate a custom mutant library from a Fab antibody. A semi-rational, sophisticated mutagenesis strategy was devised to improve the binding properties of the molecule.

Several variants displaying up to a 10-fold increase in affinity and up to a 2-fold increase in neutralising activity have been selected and will be taken to the next stages to further improve affinity. These results will have direct consequences for the development of clinical applications.

“We are very pleased with this first achievement” states Ingrid Marchal-Gérez, business development manager at Biométhodes. “It brings further evidence that Massive Mutagenesis® is a superior library creation technique, because it enables intelligent combinatorial mutagenesis strategies to be applied”.

“These early results augur well for our collaboration with Biométhodes” adds Philippe Thullier, who leads the project at the CRSSA.

In the long term, this optimised molecule could have an impact on the battle against bioterrorism, as the antibody and its variants are directed against a pathogen of military significance.