How optimising the ADC linker structural elements leads to successful ADCs
Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) represent one of the most complex and successful classes of drugs currently under development. The aim of an ADC is to improve the therapeutic index by combining the targeting properties of an antibody with a highly cytotoxicity payload that is attached via an appropriate linker. The linker represents a critical element of the overall ADC design. Composed of different structural elements, the linker in conjunction with the other ADC components undergoes developability assessment to evaluate functionality, safety and manufacturability to ensure ADC design is aligned with the ideal Target Product Profile (TPP). Data generated through developability can inform potential liabilities and offer the opportunity to adjust the design of the ADC prior to development. This webinar will describe the many varied and different approaches that have been applied to linker design and its subsequent impact on ADC properties, and ultimately how optimal linker design drives the success of ADC programs. The webinar will also incorporate previous ADC webinar series topics including oligonucleotide design and development, ADC to GMP requirements and overall application of developability for ADC lead candidate selection.
Presented by
Nicolas Camper, PhD,
Director of Chemistry
Dr. Nicolas Camper is Group Leader for Bioconjugation Chemistry at Abzena. His group focuses on the design and synthesis of antibody-drug conjugates with different combinations of conjugation technologies, linker designs and payloads for pre-clinical evaluation, helping Abzena’s clients establish Proof of Concept and select Lead Candidates for further development. Prior to his position at Abzena, Nicolas worked for PolyTherics where he was involved in the development of the ThioBridge® disulfide rebridging conjugation technology from the early stage. At PolyTherics, Nicolas led CMC efforts resulting in the manufacturing of the first ThioBridge® ADC. He holds a PhD from Queen’s University of Belfast, on the synthesis of bisphosphonate conjugates to antibody fragments for applications in oncology. Nicolas has experience in bioconjugation, protein engineering, protein expression in bacterial and mammalian systems as well as synthetic chemistry.
Mark Frigerio, PhD, MBA,
Vice President of Design and Development
Dr Mark Frigerio is Vice President of Design and Development at Abzena, currently running the Abzena Developability groups in the UK.
Mark worked at KuDOS Pharmceuticals and Pharminox prior to joining Abzena in 2012, leading the design and early development of Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs). Mark is an expert in the design and development of linkers that have applications in bioconjugation, particularly in the field of Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC) and has been instrumental in building Abzena’s site-specific ThioBridge® conjugation technology platform for the production of stable and homogeneous ADCs. He has a very strong skillset in project management, having managed multiple cross-function drug development projects at the design and CMC development phase both for external client projects as well as technology development programs. He obtained his PhD from University College London in 2002.
Campbell Bunce, PhD, MBA,
Chief Scientific Officer
Campbell is the Chief Scientific Officer at Abzena, a global Partner Research organisation supporting development of drugs and vaccines from discovery to GMP manufacture. His focus is in delivering high quality and tailored services to ensure a quick and de-risked route from drug concept and design to clinical testing. Campbell has been with Abzena for 5 years and beforehand spent 20 years working in the biotech sector for companies such as Cantab Pharmaceuticals, Piramed Pharma and Immune Targeting Systems. He has led the development of many novel vaccine and therapeutic technologies targeting infectious disease, cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune disease, taking them through discovery and design stages to clinical evaluation. Campbell has a PhD in Immunology from the University of Manchester and has published numerous papers on immune mechanisms and novel drug development.