Using antibody fragments to generate mono- and multispecific bioconjugates
Dr. Menotti Ruvo, IBB-CNR, via Pietro Castellino, 111, I-80131, Napoli email:
Abstract: Antibody fragments in several new formats are routinely studied and used as diagnostics and therapeutics in an increasingly broad spectrum of diseases. The need for these new formats arises to meet the demand for novel biotherapeutics with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties required for specific diagnostic and therapeutic applications. We have chosen to work with Fabs because of their greater structural stability than other less natural formats, ease of preparation, and versatility in preparing multimeric and multispecific constructs and conjugates with other proteins and small molecules. Technologies that we have implemented for the generation of bioconjugates containing recombinant Fab or obtained following excision from whole antibodies will be presented. These technologies enable multispecific constructs, cytotoxic drug conjugates, and a new generation of Antibody-drug Conjugates with long half-lives capable of releasing drugs in their native from.
Biosketch: M. Ruvo received a degree in chemistry in 1991. He has co-authored 190+ articles in international journals (scopus.com) and is co-inventor of 25+ international patents, many of which granted and some licensed. He has led more than 30 projects funded by various national and international agencies and companies. The research activity is devoted to the development of peptide-based bioactive molecules, small molecules, antibodies interfering with the biological functions of therapeutic targets, therapeutic proteins, and smart drug delivery systems based on nanovectors decorated with targeting agents.
