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Engineered antibody formats, such as antibody fragments and bispecifics, have the potential to offer improved therapeutic efficacy compared to traditional full-length monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). However, the translation of these non-natural molecules into successful therapeutics can be hampered by developability challenges. Here, we systematically analyzed 64 different antibody constructs targeting Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) which cover 8 distinct molecular format families, encompassing full-length antibodies, various types of single chain variable fragments, and bispecifics. We measured 15 biophysical properties related to activity, manufacturing, and stability, scoring variants with a flag-based risk approach and a recent in silico developability profiler. Our comparative assessment revealed that overall developability is higher for the natural full-length antibody format. Bispecific antibodies, antibodies with scFv fragments at the C-terminus of the light chain, and single-chain Fv antibody fragments (scFvs) have intermediate developability properties, while more complicated formats, such as scFv- scFv, bispecific mAbs with one Fab exchanged with a scFv, and diabody formats are collectively more challenging. In particular, our study highlights the propensity for fragmentation and aggregation, both in bulk and at interfaces, for many current engineered formats.

Original publication

DOI

10.1080/19420862.2024.2403156

Type

Journal article

Journal

MAbs

Publication Date

2024

Volume

16

Keywords

Antibody, Biophysics, Colloidal stability, Formulation, Fragmentation, Self-association, Shelf-life stability, aggregation, antibody formats, bispecifics, developability, fragments, scFv, Antibodies, Bispecific, Humans, Protein Engineering, Single-Chain Antibodies, Protein Stability, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Antibodies, Monoclonal