Controlled Fab arm exchange (cFAE) has proven to be a generic and versatile technology for the efficient generation of IgG-like bispecific antibodies (DuoBodies or DBs). This involves the recombination of antigen-binding arms (heavy chain–light chain (H-L) pairs) between individually expressed antibody molecules and is termed Fab-arm exchange, can be modified to make the routine generation of bsAbs feasible. The production of DuoBodies involves (i) separate expression and purification of two parental IgG1s containing two matching point mutations, one in either IgG1, at the CH3:CH3 interface, (ii) mixing of the parental IgGs; (iii) controlled reduction of interchain disulfide bonds in vitro, allowing the recombination of H-L pairs (driven by the matching mutations); and (iv) removal of reducing agent, allowing the reoxidation of interchain disulfide bonds to occur. Fragment-based formats are compatible with well-characterized and cost-effective prokaryotic and lower eukaryotic expression systems, offering the potential advantages of high yields.
Formats of bispecific antibodies (BsAbs)
Many formats have been developed for BsAb generation as listed in the following table.
Format | Schematic structure | Description | Example BsAb | Trademark | Company |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
tandem VHH | Tandem VHH fragment-based BsAb | N/A | |||
tandem scFv | Tandem ScFv fragment-based BsAb | AMG330 | BiTETM | Amgen | |
Dual-affinity re-targeting antibody | Tandem domain-exchanged Fv (can also be used to fuse with Fc domain to create whole Abs) | Flotetuzumab | DARTTM | Macrogenics | |
Diabody | dimer of single-chain Fv (scFv) fragment | vixtimotamab | ReSTORETM | Amphivena Therapeutics | |
(scFv)2-Fab | a Fab domain and two scFv domains bind | A-337 | ITabTM | Generon/EVIVE Biotech | |
Rat–mouse hybrid IgG | Full-size IgG-like half antibodies from two different species | Catumaxomab | TriomabTM | Trion Pharma | |
Hetero heavy chain, Common light chain | Hetero heavy chain, Common light chain | Emicizumab | ART-IgTM | Genentech/ Chugai/Roche | |
Controlled Fab arm exchange | Recombin the parental half antibodies | JNJ-64007957 | DuobodyTM | Genmab/ Janssen | |
Hetero H, forced HL IgG1 | KIH technology for heterodimerization of 2 distinct H chains, replacing the native disulfide bond in one of the CH1-CL interfaces with an engineered disulfide bond to enhance the cognate of H and L paring | MEDI5752 | DuetMabTM | MedImmune/ AstraZeneca | |
cH IgG1 | Identical heavy chains; 2 different light chains: one kappa (κ) and one lambda (λ) | NI-1701 | κλ bodyTM | Novimmune SA | |
Hetero H, CrossMab | KIH technology; domain crossover of immunoglobulin domains in the Fab region | Vanucizumab | CrossMabTM | Roche | |
scFv-Fab IgG | Fab-Fc; ScFv-Fc | Vibecotamab; M802 | XmabTM (the engineered Fc to enhance the generation of heterodimeric Fc); YBODYTM | Xencor/Amgen; YZYBio | |
VH1-VH2-CH1-Fc1(G1) x VL2-VL1-CL-Fc2(G1) | 2 binding motif in one half antibody | SAR440234 | CODV-IgTM | Sanofi | |
VL1-CL1-VH2-CH2-Fc x VH1-CH1 x VL2-CL2 | 2 binding motif in one half antibody | EMB-01 | FIT-IgTM | EPIMAB BIOTHERAPEUTICS | |
VH-1-TCR Cα x VL-1-TCR Cβ; VH-2-CH-2-Fc x VL-2-CL-2 | KIH technology; TCR Cα/Cβ is used to substitute the CH1 and CL domain in one arm | WuXibodyTM | WuXi Biologics | ||
C-terminal linker of Fc | Link the other molecules at the C-terminal of Fc | APVO442 | ADAPTIR-FLEXTM | Aptevo Therapeutics | |
Fc antigen binding site | 2 natural binding sites; 2 additional binding sites in the Fc loop | FS118 | mAb2 | F-star Therapeutics |