Site-specific bioconjugation technologies are frequently employed to generate homogeneous antibody−drug conjugates (ADCs) and are generally considered superior to stochastic approaches like lysine coupling. However, most of the technologies developed so far require undesired manipulation of the antibody sequence or its glycan structures. Herein, we report the successful engineering of microbial transglutaminase enabling efficient, site-specific conjugation of drug-linker constructs to position HC-Q295 of native, fully glycosylated IgG-type antibodies. ADCs generated via this approach demonstrate excellent stability in vitro as well as strong efficacy in vitro and in vivo. As it employs different drug-linker structures and several native antibodies, our study additionally proves the broad applicability of this approach.

Bispecific IgG-like antibodies can simultaneously interact with two epitopes on the same or on different antigens. Therefore, these molecules facilitate novel modes of action, which cannot be addressed by conventional monospecific IgGs. However, the generation of such antibodies still appears to be demanding due to their specific architecture comprising four different polypeptide chains that need to assemble correctly. This review focusses on different strategies to circumvent this issue or to enforce a correct chain association with a focus on common-chain bispecific antibodies.

Based on the crystal structure of a natural protein substrate for microbial transglutaminase, an enzyme that catalyzes protein crosslinking, a recognition motif for site-specific conjugation was rationally designed. Conformationally locked by an intramolecular disulfide bond, this structural mimic of a native conjugation site ensured efficient conjugation of a reporter cargo to the therapeutic monoclonal antibody cetuximab without erosion of its binding properties.

Anti-idiotypic binders which specifically recognize the variable region of monoclonal antibodies have proven to be robust tools for pharmacokinetic studies of antibody therapeutics and for the development of cancer vaccines. In the present investigation, we focused on the identification of anti-idiotypic, shark-derived IgNAR antibody variable domains (vNARs) targeting the therapeutic antibodies matuzumab and cetuximab for the purpose of developing specific capturing ligands. Using yeast surface display and semi-synthetic, CDR3-randomized libraries, we identified several highly specific binders targeting both therapeutic antibodies in their corresponding variable region, without applying any counter selections during screening. Importantly, anti-idiotypic vNAR binders were not cross-reactive towards cetuximab or matuzumab, respectively, and comprised good target recognition in the presence of human and mouse serum. When coupled to magnetic beads, anti-idiotypic vNAR variants could be used as efficient capturing tools. Moreover, a two-step procedure involving vNAR-functionalized beads was employed for the enrichment of potentially bispecific cetuximab × matuzumab antibody constructs. In conclusion, semi-synthetic and CDR3-randomized vNAR libraries in combination with yeast display enable the fast and facile identification of anti-idiotypic vNAR domains targeting monoclonal antibodies primarily in an anti-idiotypic manner.