BioCopy will get access to fully human TCR-mimic antibodies targeting an antigen generated by Biocytogen’s unique RenTCR-mimic mice, evaluate the antibodies and can license the antibodies for the development of novel cancer therapies
Biocytogen, BioCopy partner on TCR-mimic antibodies. (Credit: Tatiana from Pixabay)
Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals, a Chinese biotech company focused on novel antibody-based therapeutics, has teamed up with Switzerland-based biotechnology company BioCopy.
The two companies signed a TCR-mimic antibody evaluation and potential licensing agreement.
Under the terms of the agreement, BioCopy will get access to fully human TCR-mimic antibodies targeting an antigen generated by Biocytogen’s unique RenTCR-mimic mice.
BioCopy is responsible for the evaluation of the antibodies and holds an option to license the antibodies for the development of novel cancer therapies.
The Swiss drugmaker will leverage Biocytogen’s TCR-mimic antibodies and test them against potential intracellular tumour-associated antigens.
BioCopy will use its automated platform for the optimisation of multispecific biotherapeutics to further develop the TCR-mimic antibodies into next-generation oncological drugs.
Biocytogen president and CEO Yuelei Shen said: “We are glad to provide BioCopy with our TCR-mimic antibodies. Our in vivo matured TCR-mimic antibodies demonstrated favorable affinity and excellent specificity.
“Combined with BioCopy’s expertise in TCR-mimic antibody screening and engager development, we are optimistic that our collaboration will generate novel drugs that benefit cancer patients.”
Biocytogen’s TCR-mimic platform is designed to focus on the discovery of fully human antibodies to intracellular targets, presented on the cell surface by MHC class I molecules.
The platform leverages unique RenTCR-mimicTM (HLA/RenMab) mice and specialised immunisation protocols to generate TCR-mimic antibodies.
The antibodies are highly specific for peptide/HLA complexes and not HLA itself.
Also, Biocytogen uses a high-throughput antibody screening platform to quickly identify TCR-mimic antibodies with higher specificity and affinity than TCRs derived from patients.
Currently, the company is evaluating antibodies for multiple intracellular targets, including TAAs, cancer-testis antigens, mutated protein antigens, and viral protein antigens, in-vivo and in-vitro.
The fully human antibodies from the TCR-mimic platform would help in the development of the T cell engagers, bispecific or multispecific antibodies, and CAR-T therapies, said Biocytogen.