7th Annual European Antibody Congress 2011: November 29–December 1, 2011, Geneva,Switzerland

The 7^th European Antibody Congress (EAC), organized by Terrapin Ltd., was again held in Geneva, Switzerland, following on the tradition established with the 4^th EAC. The 2011 version of the EAC was attended by nearly 250 delegates who learned of the latest advances and trends in the global development of antibody-based therapeutics. The first day focused on advances in understanding structure-function relationships, choosing the best format, glycoengineering biobetter antibodies, improving the efficacy and drugability of mAbs and epitope mapping. On the second day, the discovery of novel targets for mAb therapy, clinical pipeline updates, use of antibody combinations to address resistance, generation and identification of mAbs against new targets and biosimilar mAb development were discussed. Antibody-drug conjugates, domain antibodies and new scaffolds and bispecific antibodies were the topics of the third day. In total, nearly 50 speakers provided updates of programs related to antibody research and development on-going in the academic, government and commercial sectors.Key words: therapeutic antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, protein scaffolds, bispecific antibodies, biosimilar antibodies     

6th Annual European Antibody Congress 2010: November 29–December 1, 2010, Geneva,Switzerland

The 6^th European Antibody Congress (EAC), organized by Terrapinn Ltd., was held in Geneva, Switzerland, which was also the location of the 4^th and 5^th EAC.^1,2 As was the case in 2008 and 2009, the EAC was again the largest antibody congress held in Europe, drawing nearly 250 delegates in 2010. Numerous pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies active in the field of therapeutic antibody development were represented, as were start-up and academic organizations and representatives from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The global trends in antibody research and development were discussed, including success stories of recent marketing authorizations of golimumab (Simponi^®) and canakinumab (Ilaris^®) by Johnson & Johnson and Novartis, respectively, updates on antibodies in late clinical development (obinutuzumab/GA101, farletuzumab/MORAb-003 and itolizumab/T1 h, by Glycart/Roche, Morphotek and Biocon, respectively) and success rates for this fast-expanding class of therapeutics (Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development). Case studies covering clinical progress of girentuximab (Wilex), evaluation of panobacumab (Kenta Biotech), characterization of therapeutic antibody candidates by protein microarrays (Protagen), antibody-drug conjugates (sanofi-aventis, ImmunoGen, Seattle Genetics, Wyeth/Pfizer), radio-immunoconjugates (Bayer Schering Pharma, Université de Nantes) and new scaffolds (Ablynx, AdAlta, Domantis/GlaxoSmithKline, Fresenius, Molecular Partners, Pieris, Scil Proteins, Pfizer, University of Zurich) were presented. Major antibody structural improvements were showcased, including the latest selection engineering of the best isotypes (Abbott, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre), hinge domain (Pierre Fabre), dual antibodies (Abbott), IgG-like bispecific antibodies (Biogen Idec), antibody epitope mapping case studies (Eli Lilly), insights in FcγRII receptor (University of Cambridge), as well as novel tools for antibody fragmentation (Genovis). Improvements of antibody druggability (Abbott, Bayer, Pierre Fabre, Merrimack, Pfizer), enhancing IgG pharmacokinetics (Abbott, Chugai), progress in manufacturing (Genmab, Icosagen Cell Factory, Lonza, Pierre Fabre) and the development of biosimilar antibodies (Biocon, Sandoz, Triskel) were also discussed. Last but not least, identification of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against new therapeutic targets (Genentech, Genmab, Imclone/Lilly, Vaccinex) including Notch, cMet, TGFβRII, SEMA4D, novel development in immunotherapy and prophylaxis against influenza (Crucell), anti-tumor activity of immunostimulatory antibodies (MedImmune/Astra Zeneca) and translations to clinical studies including immunogenicity issues (Amgen, Novartis, University of Debrecen) were presented.Key words: therapeutic antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, protein scaffolds, biosimilars, bioproduction

• MAbs. 2011 Mar-Apr; 3(2): 111–132.
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• Day 1: November 29, 2010

2011 Mar-Apr; 3(2): 111–132. Published online 2011 Mar 1. doi: 10.4161/mabs.3.2.14788

Day 1: November 29, 2010

Alain Beck Copyright and License information DisclaimerCopyright notice The EAC chairman, Alain Beck (Centre d''Immunologie Pierre Fabre), opened the meeting with a presentation on strategies and challenges for the next generation of therapeutic antibodies.³ By analyzing the regulatory approvals of IgG-based biotherapeutic agents in the past ten years, we can gain insights into the successful strategies used by pharmaceutical companies so far to bring innovative drugs to the market. Strategies to optimize the structure of IgG antibodies and to design related or new structures with additional functions were presented. A detailed knowledge of antibody structure and activity now allows researchers to engineer primary antibodies on a more rational basis. Most approved antibodies are chimeric, humanized or human IgGs with similar constant domains. Numerous studies looking at the structure-function relationships of these antibodies have been published in the past five years with the aim of identifying antibody microvariants⁴ and investigating the influence of these variants on antigen binding, stability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). This knowledge is now being used to increase homogeneity and mitigate the chemistry, manufacture and control (CMC) liabilities of preclinical antibody candidates by genetic engineering. The removal by mutation of instability or aggregation hot spots in the antibody complementarity-determining regions (CDRs), and the use of hinge-stabilized or aglycosylated IgG4, are just a few examples of antibodies with improved pharmacological properties, including decreased heterogeneity, that are currently in development.Dr. Beck explained that the variable fragment (Fv) of an antibody is responsible for interactions with antigens and dictates essential properties such as binding affinity and target specificity. The origin of the Fv in therapeutic antibodies can be diverse, e.g., hybridomas, human antibody libraries, rodents with a human antibody repertoire or primatized or humanized antibodies from various species. Affinity maturation allows the binding affinity of the Fv to be improved or target selectivity to be modulated. The constant fragment (Fc) of an antibody is responsible for interactions with immune cells, and the associated properties of the Fc can also be modulated by engineering at several levels:⁵ altering the glycosylation status to regulate anti- and pro-inflammatory properties, modulating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) by site-directed mutagenesis to alter binding to Fc receptors, increasing the serum half-life by Fc engineering to increase binding to the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), thereby preventing IgG degradation, and increasing complement activation by isotype chimerism. Additional functions can be endowed on antibodies by conjugation to other drugs. To date, the clinical success of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) has been limited. Nevertheless, promising new ADCs that include linkers with optimized properties (e.g., hydrolysable in the cytoplasm, resistant or susceptible to proteases or resistant to multi-drug resistance efflux pumps) and highly cytotoxic drugs are being studied in advanced clinical trials (e.g., trastuzumab emtansine, inotuzumab ozogamicin and brentuximab vedotin).⁶ IgGs have also been engineered to contain unique drug conjugation positions to obtain uniform and more homogeneous drug conjugates, such as ThioMab-drug conjugates, which have a uniform stoichiometry of approximately two coupled drugs per antibody molecule. Collectively, these advances should open new therapeutic avenues to deliver highly cytotoxic drugs with increased tolerability.     

9th Annual European Antibody Congress,November 11–13, 2013, Geneva,Switzerland

The annual European Antibody Congress (EAC) has traditionally been the key event for updates on critical scientific advances in the antibody field, and 2013 was no exception. Organized by Terrapinn, the well-attended meeting featured presentations on considerations for developing antibodies and antibody-like therapeutics, with separate tracks for antibody-drug conjugates, naked antibodies, and multispecific antibodies or protein scaffolds. The overall focus of the EAC was current approaches to enhance the functionality of therapeutic antibodies or other targeted proteins, with the ultimate goal being improvement of the safety and efficacy of the molecules as treatments for cancer, immune-mediated disorders and other diseases. Roundtable discussion sessions gave participants opportunities to engage in group discussions with industry leaders from companies such as Genmab, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, MedImmune, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, and Pierre Fabre. As the 2013 EAC was co-located with the World Biosimilar Congress, participants also received an update on European Medicines Agency guidelines and thoughts on the future direction and development of biosimilar antibodies in the European Union.     

IBC's 21st Annual Antibody Engineering and 8th Annual Antibody Therapeutics International Conferences and 2010 Annual Meeting of The Antibody Society: December 5–9, 2010, San Diego,CA USA

The 21^st Annual Antibody Engineering and 8^th Annual Antibody Therapeutics international conferences, and the 2010 Annual Meeting of The Antibody Society, organized by IBC Life Sciences with contributions from The Antibody Society and two Scientific Advisory Boards, was held December 5–9, 2010 in San Diego, CA. The conferences featured over 100 presentations and 100 posters, and included a pre-conference workshop on deep-sequencing of antibody genes. The total number of delegates exceeded 800, which set a new attendance record for the conference.The conferences were organized with a focus on antibody engineering only on the first day and a joint engineering/therapeutics session on the last day. Delegates could select from presentations that occurred in two simultaneous sessions on days 2 and 3. Day 1 included presentations on neutralizing antibodies and the identification of vaccine targets, as well as a historical overview of 20 years of phage display utilization. Topics presented in the Antibody Engineering sessions on day 2 and 3 included antibody biosynthesis, structure and stability; antibodies in a complex environment; antibody half-life; and targeted nanoparticle therapeutics. In the Antibody Therapeutics sessions on days 2 and 3, preclinical and early stage development and clinical updates of antibody therapeutics, including TRX518, SYM004, MM111, PRO140, CVX-241, ASG-5ME, U3-1287 (AMG888), R1507 and trastuzumab emtansine, were discussed and perspectives were provided on the development of biosimilar and biobetter antibodies, including coverage of regulatory and intellectual property issues. The joint engineering/therapeutics session on the last day focused on bispecific and next-generation antibodies. Summaries of most of the presentations are included here, but, due to the large number of speakers, it was not possible to include summaries for every presentation.Delegates enjoyed the splendid views of the San Diego Bay and proximity to the Gaslamp Quarter provided by the venue. The 22^nd Annual Antibody Engineering and 9th Annual Antibody Therapeutics conferences, and the 2011 Annual Meeting of The Antibody Society, are planned for December 5–8, 2011 at the same location in San Diego, and will include two two-day short courses on Introduction to Antibody Engineering and Protein Characterization for Biotechnology Product Development.Key words: antibody engineering, antibody therapeutics, phage display, biosimilar antibodies

• MAbs. 2011 Mar-Apr; 3(2): 133–152.
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• Day 1: December 6, 2010 Antibody Engineering

2011 Mar-Apr; 3(2): 133–152. Published online 2011 Mar 1. doi: 10.4161/mabs.3.2.14939

Day 1: December 6, 2010 Antibody Engineering

Samantha O Arnett Copyright and License information DisclaimerCopyright notice     

Antibody Engineering & Therapeutics 2015: The Antibody Society's annual meeting December 7–10, 2015, San Diego,CA

Antibody Engineering & Therapeutics, the annual meeting of The Antibody Society, will be held in San Diego, CA in early December 2015. In this meeting preview, the chairs provide their thoughts on the importance of their session topics, which include antibody effector functions, reproducibility of research and diagnostic antibodies, new developments in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), preclinical and clinical ADC data, new technologies and applications for bispecific antibodies, antibody therapeutics for non-cancer and orphan indications, antibodies to harness the cellular immune system, overcoming resistance to clinical immunotherapy, and building comprehensive IGVH-gene repertoires through discovering, confirming and cataloging new germline IGVH genes. The Antibody Society''s special session will focus on “Antibodies to watch” in 2016, which are a subset of the nearly 50 antibodies currently in Phase 3 clinical studies. Featuring over 100 speakers in total, the meeting will commence with keynote presentations by Erica Ollmann Saphire (The Scripps Research Institute), Wayne A. Marasco (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School), Joe W. Gray (Oregon Health & Science University), and Anna M. Wu (University of California Los Angeles), and it will conclude with workshops on the promise and challenges of using next-generation sequencing for antibody discovery and engineering from synthetic and in vivo libraries and on computational antibody design.     

Antibody Engineering & Therapeutics 2015: The Antibody Society's annual meeting December 7–10, 2015, San Diego,CA

Antibody Engineering & Therapeutics, the annual meeting of The Antibody Society, will be held in San Diego, CA in early December 2015. In this meeting preview, the chairs provide their thoughts on the importance of their session topics, which include antibody effector functions, reproducibility of research and diagnostic antibodies, new developments in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), preclinical and clinical ADC data, new technologies and applications for bispecific antibodies, antibody therapeutics for non-cancer and orphan indications, antibodies to harness the cellular immune system, overcoming resistance to clinical immunotherapy, and building comprehensive IGVH-gene repertoires through discovering, confirming and cataloging new germline IGVH genes. The Antibody Society's special session will focus on “Antibodies to watch” in 2016, which are a subset of the nearly 50 antibodies currently in Phase 3 clinical studies. Featuring over 100 speakers in total, the meeting will commence with keynote presentations by Erica Ollmann Saphire (The Scripps Research Institute), Wayne A. Marasco (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School), Joe W. Gray (Oregon Health & Science University), and Anna M. Wu (University of California Los Angeles), and it will conclude with workshops on the promise and challenges of using next-generation sequencing for antibody discovery and engineering from synthetic and in vivo libraries and on computational antibody design.     

Antibody Engineering & Therapeutics 2016: The Antibody Society's annual meeting,December 11–15, 2016, San Diego,CA

Antibody Engineering & Therapeutics, the largest meeting devoted to antibody science and technology and the annual meeting of The Antibody Society, will be held in San Diego, CA on December 11-15, 2016. Each of 14 sessions will include six presentations by leading industry and academic experts. In this meeting preview, the session chairs discuss the relevance of their topics to current and future antibody therapeutics development. Session topics include bispecifics and designer polyclonal antibodies; antibodies for neurodegenerative diseases; the interface between passive and active immunotherapy; antibodies for non-cancer indications; novel antibody display, selection and screening technologies; novel checkpoint modulators / immuno-oncology; engineering antibodies for T-cell therapy; novel engineering strategies to enhance antibody functions; and the biological Impact of Fc receptor engagement. The meeting will open with keynote speakers Dennis R. Burton (The Scripps Research Institute), who will review progress toward a neutralizing antibody-based HIV vaccine; Olivera J. Finn, (University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine), who will discuss prophylactic cancer vaccines as a source of therapeutic antibodies; and Paul Richardson (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), who will provide a clinical update on daratumumab for multiple myeloma. In a featured presentation, a representative of the World Health Organization's INN expert group will provide a perspective on antibody naming. “Antibodies to watch in 2017” and progress on The Antibody Society's 2016 initiatives will be presented during the Society's special session. In addition, two pre-conference workshops covering ways to accelerate antibody drugs to the clinic and the applications of next-generation sequencing in antibody discovery and engineering will be held on Sunday December 11, 2016.     

Human Proteome Organisation’s 7th World Congress, 2008

The annual world congress of Human Proteome Organisation (HUPO) is one of the premier meetings in proteomics. Rotating between Europe, North America and Asia/Oceana, this year’s host city was Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Proteomics still being a rapidly evolving field, HUPO meetings provide a platform for technical advancements in protein purification and separation techniques, innovations in mass spectrometry and applications in bioinformatics and computational biology. A special focus of this year’s meeting was on proteome biology, indicating that the state of technology has progressed to a level permitting interrogation of biological systems in a meaningful way.     

IBC's 22nd Annual Antibody Engineering and 9th Annual Antibody Therapeutics International Conferences and the 2011 Annual Meeting of The Antibody Society,December 5–8, 2011, San Diego,CA

The 22^nd Annual Antibody Engineering and 9^th Annual Antibody Therapeutics international conferences, and the 2011 Annual Meeting of The Antibody Society, organized by IBC Life Sciences with contributions from The Antibody Society and two Scientific Advisory Boards, were held December 5–8, 2011 in San Diego, CA. The meeting drew ∼800 participants who attended sessions on a wide variety of topics relevant to antibody research and development. As a preview to the main events, a pre-conference workshop held on December 4, 2011 focused on antibodies as probes of structure. The Antibody Engineering Conference comprised eight sessions: (1) structure and dynamics of antibodies and their membrane receptor targets; (2) model-guided generation of binding sites; (3) novel selection strategies; (4) antibodies in a complex environment: targeting intracellular and misfolded proteins; (5) rational vaccine design; (6) viral retargeting with engineered binding molecules; (7) the biology behind potential blockbuster antibodies and (8) antibodies as signaling modifiers: where did we go right, and can we learn from success? The Antibody Therapeutics Conference comprised five sessions: (1) Twenty-five years of therapeutic antibodies: lessons learned and future challenges; (2) preclinical and early stage development of antibody therapeutics; (3) next generation anti-angiogenics; (4) updates of clinical stage antibody therapeutics and (5) antibody drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies.Key words: antibody engineering, antibody therapeutics, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, computational design, antibody-antigen structure, vaccine design