Biologics

Method for analysing sugar-protein interactions could enable better biologics

17 March 2021 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review)

A novel machine learning method can explain how glycans stabilise proteins, aiding the discovery and design of protein-based drugs. 

Advancing neutralising antibody therapies for COVID-19

17 February 2021 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review)

In this article, Ian Chan, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of biotech company Abpro, discusses the development of neutralising antibodies for SARS-CoV-2. Abpro’s neutralising antibody candidate ABP 300 is currently in Phase II/III trials.

Novel DNA-based COVID-19 vaccines induce immune responses in mice

5 February 2021 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review)

The DREP-S vaccine candidate was found to be the most potent of the two investigational vaccine prototypes, eliciting high titers of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies after a single dose.

N439K variant of SARS-CoV-2 is resistant to some neutralising antibodies, shows study

1 February 2021 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review)

The N439K mutation improves the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and the viral receptor ACE2 and eludes antibody-mediated immunity, say investigators.

Attenuated vaccine could combat fatal Leptospira bacteria

27 January 2021 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review)

A single vaccination with a mutated Leptospira bacteria prevented rodent models from developing leptospirosis, the most fatal type of zoonotic disease worldwide.

Novel antibody candidate could offer pan-coronavirus protection

26 January 2021 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review)

The lead candidate, ADG2, was able to neutralise SARS-CoV and various strains of SARS-CoV-2, including those that are resistant to currently available antibody treatments.

Activating STING enhances CAR T-cell activity in solid tumours, shows study

4 January 2021 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review)

Researchers were able to eradicate breast cancer in mice when they combined CAR T cells with STING pathway agonists and immunotherapeutic antibodies.

Inhaled vaccine induces strong immune response in animal models

11 December 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review)

Scientists report their phage-based inhaled vaccine delivery system elicited a robust antibody response in both mice and non-human primates.

A novel CAR T-cell therapy for type 1 diabetes

4 December 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review)

Researchers show how genetically engineered five-module chimeric antigen receptor (5MCAR) T cells can be directed to destroy T cells causing autoimmune diseases.

A rational approach to discover and precision-engineer new biologic drugs

2 December 2020 | By Jerome Boyd-Kirkup (Hummingbird Bioscience)

When it comes to developing antibody drugs, Dr Jerome Boyd-Kirkup and his team are not sticking to the classical playbook. Here, he explains how they use systems biology and immuno-engineering to remove the element of luck from biologic drug discovery and development.

New ‘smart’ cell therapies show promise in solid tumours

27 November 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review)

By combining machine learning and T-cell engineering researchers were able to develop cell therapies that can selectively and effectively target and destroy solid tumours.

Drug Target Review – Issue 4 2020

26 November 2020 | By Drug Target Review

In this journal, find articles discussing antimicrobial resistance, exploring why inhibiting the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and neuropilin-1 could help combat COVID-19, as well as how CRISPR can be used to enhance productivity in cell line development. Also in this issue, features on engineering new biologic drugs and precision medicine.

Developing nanobodies and sybodies to combat COVID-19

13 November 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review)

Three separate studies have identified nanobodies – a miniature form of antibodies found in camelid species – that can bind to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein and neutralise the virus in cells.

Researchers develop novel class of cancer immunotherapy

30 October 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review)

The scientists developed a therapy which uses nanobiologics to train the innate immune system to recognise and combat cancer cells.

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