Development of bispecific antibodies in China: overview and prospects

Jing Zhang; Jizu Yi; Pengfei Zhou

doi:10.1093/abt/tbaa011

Development of bispecific antibodies in China: overview and prospects

Antib Ther. 2020 May 30;3(2):126-145. doi: 10.1093/abt/tbaa011. eCollection 2020 Apr.

Authors

Jing Zhang¹, Jizu Yi¹, Pengfei Zhou¹

Affiliation

¹ Wuhan YZY Biopharma Co., Ltd, Biolake City C2-1, No. 666 Gaoxin Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430075, China.

Abstract

A bispecific antibody (bsAb) can simultaneously bind two different epitopes or antigens, allowing for multiple mechanistic functions with synergistic effects. BsAbs have attracted significant scientific attentions and efforts towards their development as drugs for cancers. There are 21 bsAbs currently undergoing clinical trials in China. Here, we review their platform technologies, expression and production, and biological activities and bioassay of these bsAbs, and summarize their structural formats and mechanisms of actions. T-cell redirection and checkpoint inhibition are two main mechanisms of the bsAbs that we discuss in detail. Furthermore, we provide our perspective on the future of bsAb development in China, including CD3-bsAbs for solid tumors and related cytokine release syndromes, expression and chemistry, manufacturing and controls, clinical development, and immunogenicity.

Keywords: CRS; MOA; bispecific antibody (bsAb); check point; expression; format; immunogenicity.

Publication types

Review