The role of checkpoint molecules, such as PD-1 and PD-L1, is to suppress immune responses, while costimulatory molecules, such as OX40 and GITR, function to promote immune reactions. Simultaneous use of an antagonistic antibody against a checkpoint molecule and an agonistic antibody against a costimulatory molecule is expected to have an additive or even synergistic effect to boost immune responses. Benefits of using an anti-checkpoint molecule antibody, such as anti-PD-L1, and an anti-costimulatory molecule antibody, such as anti-OX40, together has been reported for treatment of cancer and infectious disease (Buchan et al., J. Immunol. 94:125-133, 2015; Davis et al., Cancers Head Neck 1:12, 2016; Vilgelm et al., J. Leuk. Biol. 100: 275–290; 2016).
Bispecific antibodies generated at JN Biosciences (ActYbodies™) bind to a checkpoint molecule antagonistically and to a costimulatory molecule agonistically and trigger potent immune responses as a single therapeutic agent. ActYbodies™, which are composed of engieered heavy and intact light chains, express well in CHO-K1 stable transfectants and are purified from culture supernatants by protein A affinity chromatography. Two lead-stage ActYbodies™, JNB809 that binds to PD-L1 and GITR and JNB813 that binds to PD-L1 and OX40, are available for out-licensing. Please click here for characteristics of JNB809 anti-PD-L1/GITR ActYbody™.
