mAbs (Jan 2020)

Biophysical and biochemical characterization of a VHH-based IgG-like bi- and trispecific antibody platform

  • Lukas Pekar,
  • Michael Busch,
  • Bernhard Valldorf,
  • Steffen C. Hinz,
  • Lars Toleikis,
  • Simon Krah,
  • Stefan Zielonka

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/19420862.2020.1812210
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1

Abstract

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Here, we report the characterization of a VHH-derived IgG-like bi- and trispecific antibody platform that essentially relies on the replacement of the VH and VL regions of a conventional antibody by two independently functioning VHH domains. Consequently, a VHH is engrafted onto constant region CH1 while the other VHH-based paratope is engrafted on the constant region of the light chain, Cκ or Cλ, resulting in a tetravalent bispecific IgG-like molecule. Combined with a heavy chain heterodimerization technique, this platform allows facile engineering of bi- and trispecific antibodies with flexible valencies. We demonstrate the general applicability of this generic platform approach and elaborate on the limitations of specific formats.

Keywords