High Throughput mAb Characterization
Categorizing mAbs by kinetics AND epitope is much more relevant
than affinity ranking alone, as a mAb’s epitope is an innate property that cannot be rationally enhanced by engineering and ultimately relies on empirical selection.
Affinity, on the other hand, can be improved through rational design once the desired epitope is selected.
Identifying mAbs targeting unique epitopes is therefore highly desirable from a discovery perspective because they may offer mechanistically differentiated MOA’s and highly valuable IP opportunities. Epitope screening only a subset of a panel due to throughput limitations restricts epitope diversity, thereby negatively impacting the success of therapeutic drug discovery.