{"id":9548,"date":"2024-03-15T10:25:17","date_gmt":"2024-03-15T10:25:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.caltagmedsystems.co.uk\/information\/?p=9548"},"modified":"2024-03-15T10:25:17","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T10:25:17","slug":"the-role-of-monoclonal-antibodies-biosimilars-in-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.caltagmedsystems.co.uk\/information\/the-role-of-monoclonal-antibodies-biosimilars-in-research\/","title":{"rendered":"The Role of Monoclonal Antibodies & Biosimilars in Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 1986, the first monoclonal antibody became licensed as a therapeutic drug\u2013an event occurring nine years after the generation of the first monoclonal antibody (mAb) [1]. The journey of how monoclonal antibodies went from lab discovery to lifesaving medicine is filled with scientific creativity and determination. These Y-shaped proteins, secreted by B cells, are made to hunt down specific invaders as part of the immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monoclonal antibody research changed dramatically in 1975 when K\u00f6hler and Milstein introduced the hybridoma technique. This process created \u201chybridomas\u201d that could crank out large quantities of pure antibodies directed against a single target. Their technique was a giant leap forward because now, instead of isolating antibodies from the blood, scientists could grow hybridoma cells in the lab and collect the antibodies. This breakthrough unlocked the door to using monoclonal antibodies as therapies (2). Their innovation allowed for mass-producing targeted antibodies, which laid the groundwork for the many monoclonal antibody medicines used in clinics today (3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Monoclonal Antibodies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies produced from a B-lymphocyte clone designed to bind to a specific epitope or antigen. Scientists use monoclonal antibodies in many therapeutic research areas, including oncology, haematology, ophthalmology, infectious diseases, transplantation, cardiovascular diseases, and auto-immune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn\u2019s disease (1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Typically, large molecules (~150 kDa), mAbs exhibit a complex protein structure (1). Purified from living cells, manufacturing monoclonal antibodies requires a multi-step, controlled process to ensure consistency. This allows limited batch-to-batch variability and limits deleterious modifications such as excess glycosylation and other post-translational modifications that could render the molecule ineffective or toxic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Application of Monoclonal Antibodies in Research<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Researchers use research-grade biosimilars, research mAbs mimicking therapeutic mAbs, as tools to explore the biological effects of these therapeutics further, research novel new therapies, and uncover effective off-target applications. With known and approved data on toxicity and efficacy, researchers use these biologics as benchmarks in their studies, allowing them to accelerate their findings from bench to clinic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scientific world has yet to un-tap the full potential of antibodies as therapies. As it stands, there are hundreds of phase III trials investigating various uses of antibodies in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, auto-immune disorders, and many other conditions. Given the numerous ways mAbs are utilised in the clinic, one can expect their applications and benefits to continue expanding in the years to come. Traditional manufacturing technologies are being optimised, and the introduction of novel molecules, such as single-domain antibodies developed from camelids, is also pushing discoveries forward. Research-grade biosimilars further accelerate therapeutic antibody research by providing access to these reagents without the need to source therapeutic-grade biologics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With more than 800 research-grade biosimilar antibodies in\u00a0ProSci’s\u00a0catalogue, these unique tools are available for researchers worldwide. Complimenting\u00a0ProSci’s\u00a0catalogue is a team of custom antibody specialists that provide\u00a0expertise\u00a0in the design, development, purification, and production\u00a0of antibodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Grade Biosimilar Antibodies Available in the following Research Areas:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n