Add-on this optional pre-conference workshop to your main conference registration package and gain a comprehensive overview of antibody engineering in an easy-to-follow classroom setting to help you prepare for the main conference program.

• Workshop registration begins at 7:30 am
• Morning Break: ~10:30-10:50

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

Today’s wealth of knowledge of antibody structures will be reviewed along with the genetics of diversity generation, to give insights into the best strategies for improving function. There is particular emphasis on the choice of a functional assay to effectively monitor the changes in a desired property, and the use of functional enrichment steps where a library approach is employed. Not only is amino acid sequence amenable to engineering, but glycan structures and other modifications may also be engineered. The course will focus on the engineering and enhancement of antibodies and antibody-like scaffolds. Examples will include work on antibody fragment affinity improvement by 100-fold to low pM affinity. Also, the engineering of bispecific antibodies by diverse approaches and the adaptation to generate Chimeric Antibody Receptor (CAR) constructs will be discussed. Expression platforms for producing antibodies for testing and for manufacture will also be covered. A background in biochemistry and molecular biology is useful, as the course is designed to progress rapidly from simple to advanced concepts.

INSTRUCTOR
David Bramhill, Ph.D., Founder, Bramhill Biological Consulting, LLC and Research Corporation Technologies

COURSE AGENDA

• Functions amenable to engineering: affinity, specificity, stability, solubility, immunogenicity
• The measure of success: functional assays
• Engineering by design
• Engineering by random mutation
• Designed libraries
• Display technologies
• Improving manufacturing by protein engineering methods
• Glycosylation engineering - function and homogeneity
• Other protein modifications
• Immunogenicity engineering
• Bispecific antibodies
• CAR-T strategies
• Expression of antibodies and fragments for discovery and testing
• Manufacturing platforms for antibodies and fragments

NOTE: The afternoon class “Introduction to ADC Design and Development” is an excellent complement to this introduction course, and is recommended especially for chemists and biochemists who are new to the ADC field.

Add-on this optional pre-conference workshop to your main conference registration package and gain a comprehensive overview of ADC design and development in an easy-to-follow classroom setting to help you prepare for the main conference program.

• Workshop registration begins at 12:30 pm
• Afternoon Break: ~ 3:30-3:50

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

This workshop covers the key aspects of ADC design, why each piece is important and how each can synergise to make an optimized product. It will give a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art approaches available for ADCs, and provides an introductory framework so participants can rapidly identify issues and solutions in their specific projects. It is aimed to provide even beginners with explanations of the nomenclature and science. The teams involved in ADC development need both chemists and biologists to work together effectively. The course provides opportunity to better understand both aspects of the science and thus enhance communication within your team.

INSTRUCTOR
David Bramhill, Ph.D., Founder, Bramhill Biological Consulting, LLC and Research Corporation Technologies

WORKSHOP TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED

• Antibody Structure
• Basic components of ADCs
• Payload decisions: Class of payload, Drug vs Pro-drug formats.
• Linker designs for release or stability
• Solubility issues for ADCs
• Bioconjugation by chemistry and enzyme
• Linkers and solubility

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

• Gain an overview of the key aspects and design parameters for ADCs.
• Scientific terms and acronyms relating to ADCs will be defined and explained.
• Current state-of-the-art solutions for the various challenges faced in developing an ADC or bioconjugate.
• Better understand what the others in your ADC team are working to accomplish.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Scientists and managers involved in the development of therapeutic bioconjugates - ADCs, nanoparticles, conjugate vaccines - in pharma and biotech companies. Note that the morning class “Introduction to Antibody Engineering” is an excellent complement to this course, and is recommended especially for chemists and other new to working with antibodies.