Human Domain Antibody (dAb)

Domantis, the human Domain Antibody (dAb) therapeutics company, today presented data showing how dual targeting dAbs (a pair of linked dAbs in a single product, each of which binds to a different target) have been used to specifically target multiple myeloma cells, while sparing healthy cells.

Speaking at IBC's 16th International Conference on Antibody Engineering in San Diego, U.S., Domantis' Executive Vice President and CSO, Dr. Ian Tomlinson explained, "Domantis scientists have shown in a series of experiments that dual targeting dAbs which bind to two different antigens on the surface of tumor cells can preferentially bind to and kill those tumor cells while healthy cells that express only one or neither of the antigens are spared.

This is a completely novel approach to tumor targeting that dramatically enhances the potency of the targeting agent by focusing its activity on tumor cells. This cannot be achieved using conventional antibodies which bind to a single target and typically kill both cancerous and non-cancerous cells."

Since it first announced the successful creation of dual targeting dAbs in 2003, Domantis has initiated three proprietary dual targeting oncology programs, initially focused on multiple myeloma, small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer. The first two of these programs harness the ability of dual targeting dAbs to specifically target tumor cells. Most oncology drugs on the market or in development kill a broad spectrum of cells, including both cancerous and non-cancerous cells. Even blockbuster antibody therapeutics such as Rituxan are aimed at killing all B cells, rather than just those that are malignant. By enhancing the targeting of tumor cells while sparing healthy cells Domantis hopes to develop the next generation of cancer drugs, based on the unique attributes of dAbs, that are more effective and less toxic than those currently on the market.

In addition to creating better cancer drugs, dual targeting dAbs have significant potential in the treatment of multi-factorial diseases, where a number of different disease targets are implicated. Domantis has already shown that dual targeting dAbs can bind and neutralize two completely different therapeutic targets in formats that can easily be produced in microbial or mammalian cells. The Company has created a panel of proprietary dual targeting dAbs against several different pairs of targets, including one to treat asthma that neutralizes the activities of both IL-4 and IL-13. As part of its ongoing collaboration with Abbott Laboratories, Domantis has also delivered to Abbott a dual targeting dAb directed at two inflammatory disease targets. Domantis has filed a series of patent applications covering the methods of production and compositions of dual targeting dAbs.

Source: http://www.domantis.com