Panacea Pharmaceuticals selects Goodwin to develop anti-cancer monoclonal antibody

The conjugate is subsequently labeled with indium-111 (111In) and other potential radioisotopes for in vivo diagnostic imaging and treatment of cancers.

Panacea Pharmaceuticals COO Steven Fuller said: "Panacea has developed a fully human antibody directed against the tumor-specific marker, human aspartyl (asparaginyl) ß-hydroxylase (HAAH).

"Based on the experience that Goodwin Biotechnology has in the area of Bioconjugation, they were selected to optimize, scale-up, and manufacture this antibody-chelator conjugate, of one of our lead cancer products."

Goodwin Biotechnology chief scientific officer and VP of bioconjugation development Muctarr Sesay said: "Our initial efforts were focused on the classical random conjugation of the ‘naked’ antibody that Panacea Pharmaceuticals supplied and comparing DOTA and CHX-A’ chelators as the linkers.

"However, the results were less than desirable, based on the ability of the conjugates to bind to the antigen and incorporation of Indium111. After a thorough analysis, we recommended a new strategy using our proprietary, site-directed conjugation process that shifted the linker away from the antigen binding site (hypervariable region) on the antibody. Results from the site-directed conjugation process, when compared to the random conjugation process, it was clear that the site-directed approach was significantly superior to the random conjugation."

Panacea Pharmaceuticals chairman & CEO/CSO Hossein Ghanbari said: "We are extremely happy that the highly skilled scientists at Goodwin Biotechnology found a way to make a viable conjugate.

"When we first evaluated the random conjugation results, we were seriously considering going back to the drawing board and developing a new antibody. Finding a solution to this significant challenge saved us years of development work and a significant amount of money."

"Now, based on promising preclinical animal study results with syngeneic mouse models, we’re working with Goodwin Biotechnology to continue development and optimization of the antibody-chelator conjugates via site-directed conjugation and will proceed to manufacture the product for additional preclinical studies and human clinical trials," added Dr. Fuller. "It is clear that the decision to select Goodwin Biotechnology has paid off well for us."

Goodwin Biotechnology COO SooYoung Lee said: "We take great pride in partnering with our clients and helping them overcome significant challenges.

"We’ve accumulated significant expertise and experience in developing and manufacturing Cell Culture and Bioconjugation processes over 23 plus years. Thus, we are able to develop solutions for the challenges working by with our clients, leveraging the skill sets of our scientific staff, and listening to our clients on every project."