Seminar Highlights:

• Basics of machine learning and where it fits into drug discovery
• Machine learning: a historical view of its application in the field of drug discovery
• How machine learning revolutionized homology modeling
• Applying machine learning to structure-based biologics design
• Guiding the design of display libraries using machine learning​

Introduction to Bispecific Antibodies will be organized as an informative and practical guide to getting up to speed on critical aspects of bispecific antibody therapeutics. Topics will include historical successes, failures, and lessons learned. Specific practical instruction will span mechanisms of action, engineering, developability, regulatory considerations, and translational guidelines. Perspectives on ideal implementation of bispecifics as targeted and immunomodulatory approaches will be discussed.

Topics to be Covered:

• A brief history of bispecific antibodies: 60 years of progress with critical advances and key pioneers
• Bispecific applications and powerful mechanisms-of-action
• Engineering bispecific antibodies:100 formats and counting
• Bispecific-specific considerations in preclinical development and regulatory landscape
• Developability, manufacturing, and analytical considerations
• Clinical experience, translation, and regulatory approval
• Current trends and future opportunities in regulating immune checkpoints, cell-based therapies, and personalized approaches​​

Topics to be covered include:

What Is Protein Engineering?   

• Functions amenable to engineering: affinity, specificity, catalysis, stability, solubility, immunogenicity, serum half-life

Tools and Techniques   

• The measure of success: functional assays    ​

• Engineering by design    ​

• Engineering by random mutation    ​

• Designed libraries display technologies    ​

• Deep sequencing applications in analyzing libraries and repertoires ​

Production and Manufacturing   

• Evaluating biotherapeutic developability    ​

• Improving manufacturing by protein engineering methods    ​

• Glycosylation engineering — function and homogeneity    ​

• Other protein modifications    ​

• Immunogenicity engineering and humanization    ​

• Expression of antibodies and fragments for discovery and testing    ​

• Manufacturing platforms for antibodies and fragments ​

Emerging Molecule and Product Formats   

• Bispecific antibodies/binders    ​

• Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)    ​

• CAR T strategies    ​

• Other emerging constructs ​

The Future of Protein Engineering