Analytical Power Tools Open Upstream Bioprocessing Bottlenecks

The blockbuster success of antibody-based therapeutics for autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and immunooncology accelerated the high stakes monoclonal antibody (mAb) development race. The market for therapeutic uses of mAbs is expected to reach a value of USD $138.6 billion by 2024. In addition, mAb research is underway for therapies to treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as antibody-drug conjugates (ADC)—mAbs weaponized with radio-isotopes or cytotoxic agents for specific delivery to a cancer cell target.^{1, 2, 3}

Clone Selection: The Bioprocessing Bottleneck of Antibody Manufacturing

Clone selection is a significant upstream bottleneck slowing bench-to-bedside development progress for new mAb-based therapeutics. Companies on parallel development paths—sometimes with overlapping therapies for similar targets—compete to engineer productive cell lines that match target physical, chemical, or biological properties. Moreover, these cell lines must also be robust enough for the biomanufacturing environment.4 So, what is impeding the progress of new mAb-based therapies? Legacy screening technologies.

With mAb-based product development addressing diseases of such massive financial and societal implications, researchers using our analytical power tools will reach their goals faster and shorten the bench-to-bedside development path, benefitting both patients and the bottom line.