NSERC Strategic Network for the production of single-type glycoform monoclonal antibodies (Mabnet)

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with an estimated annual growth of 14% up to 2012, based on the most recent economic analysis . Since 1996 there have been 20 approvals for Mabs to be used as therapeutics. Six of these are blockbusters with annual sales in excess of a billon dollars per year. This proposal addresses the desirability of modifying and controlling the production of Mabs so that they have defined structures that maximize their potential for clinical use. The glycan structure attached to the Mab protein is variable but it has been shown that this component is extremely important for biological function. The proposed Mab network (MabNet) aims to produce Mabs with single or limited structural glycan variation. This will be performed by a combination of bioanalyticals, molecular biology, biochemical engineering, molecular re-construction and downstream processing and organized into specific Theme areas. The overall aim will be to develop a consistent method for the production of large quantities of single glycoform Mabs. There are several model Mabs that will be developed in the network. The lead candidate is a chimeric antibody (llama/human) which binds to human epidermal growth factor (hEGF). This has been shown to have good tumour targeting properties and a high level of penetration of solid tumours because of its small molecular size, The novel methods developed in the network will allow the full therapeutic potential of such Mabs to be realized.