Epitope Mapping Service
Antibody drug with four drug compounds linked to IgG immunoglobulin

Characterizing Monoclonality

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Advanced mAB Epitope Mapping Services

Monoclonal antibodies (mABs) are derived from a single cell line, ensuring uniformity and precise targeting of specific epitopes on antigens, which is essential for developing targeted therapies. Unlike polyclonal antibodies that recognize multiple epitopes on an antigen, mABs are specific, making them ideal for biopharmaceuticals. As research into mAB drugs grows, the need for detailed epitope mapping becomes critical in overcoming analytical challenges and advancing therapeutic development.

mAB Quick Guide

What are monoclonal antibodies (mABs)?
Monoclonal antibodies (mABs) are identical antibodies produced by monoclonal cells, targeting specific epitopes on antigens.

How do monoclonal antibodies differ from polyclonal antibodies?
Unlike monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies are a mixture from multiple cell clones, recognizing various epitopes on an antigen.

Why is research increasing for monoclonal antibody drugs?
Research is mounting for mAB drugs due to their precision in targeting specific pathogens and their potential to treat a wide range of diseases, including emerging infections and viral diseases.

mAB Analysis with XL-MS
Cross-Linking Mass Spectrometry (XL-MS) is an advanced technique for precise epitope mapping of monoclonal antibodies (mABs). By cross-linking antibodies to their target proteins, XL-MS identifies binding sites and provides detailed information on mAB conformational structures. A comparison study by Merck, Aduro Biotech, and CovalX found that XL-MS performed comparably to X-ray crystallography in mapping mAB structures. This makes XL-MS a reliable method for characterizing mABs in drug development, particularly in capturing dynamic interactions that are challenging to analyze with other techniques.

mAB Analysis with HDX-MS
Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry (HDX-MS) is a powerful technique for mapping epitopes in monoclonal antibodies (mABs). By tracking the exchange of hydrogen with deuterium in an antigen’s backbone, HDX-MS reveals conformational changes and binding regions when an antigen interacts with an antibody. This method often identifies broader binding regions than X-ray crystallography and captures dynamic conformational shifts. Unlike other methods that measure direct binding, HDX-MS detects “protection” from solvent exposure, which can also highlight allosteric conformational changes as part of the epitope. When used in combination with structural modeling or other orthogonal methods, HDX-MS makes it a powerful tool for understanding mAB interactions and stability, crucial for advancing therapeutic development.

The growing proportion of fully human antibodies

Epitope mapping of monoclonal antibodies

Why Choose Us?

Our expertise in mAB analysis is backed by state-of-the-art technology and a commitment to precision. Whether you are developing mAB drugs for emerging infectious diseases, respiratory viruses, or other therapeutic areas, our services ensure that you have the most reliable data to support your drug development processes.

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