Crescendo announces the Crescendo Mouse

Technology generates superior human single domain antibody VH fragments in a transgenic mouse

22-Jan-2013 - United Kingdom

Crescendo Biologics Limited announces the Crescendo Mouse, an antibody fragment technology which allows the generation of human single domain antibody VH fragments from a transgenic mouse.

VH fragments are antibody-based therapeutic proteins that have applications beyond the scope of full length antibodies. They are the smallest antibody fragments that retain the ability to bind antigens specifically and with highaffinity and, when generated in the Crescendo Mouse, human VH have biophysical properties that make them attractive drug products. VH fragments can be formulated for topical delivery, are amenable to modular engineering of bispecific and multivalent products, have tissue penetration characteristics, and are simple to manufacture in microbial systems.

Key to generation of VH fragments in the mouse is Crescendo’s triple knock out (TKO) background, which is completely devoid of all endogenous immunoglobulin chains, and therefore enables in vivo maturation of human VH single domains uncontaminated by association with any light chains.  B cell development within the Crescendo Mouse is driven from a construct introduced into the TKO background that combines human V- D- and J- genes, together with murine constant and regulatory regions, to generate heavy chain only antibodies.  The power of the mouse immune system is consequently fully harnessed to drive B cell development and maturation, leading to a repertoire of fully-human VH domains with stability and solubility.

The Crescendo Mouse responds to immunisation with target proteins and in vivo B cell maturation yields diverse human VH domains, from all VH families, which have also undergone somatic hypermutation.  Because the antibody response following immunisation is entirely encompassed within the VH domain, Crescendo has been able to develop a integrated discovery process utilising in vitro display to mine and identify VH drug candidates from immunised mice.  Purified VH fragments have been shown to bind immunogen with affinity, exhibit thermostability and have  expression levels. These data indicate that B cell maturation in the Crescendo Mouse is driving selection and optimisation of matured human VH domains, with all of the properties that make them potent, drug quality antibody-based therapeutics.

Other news from the department research and development

Most read news

More news from our other portals

Is artificial intelligence revolutionizing the life sciences?

See the theme worlds for related content

Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous

View topic world
Topic world Antibodies

Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous

Last viewed contents

This year’s research prize awarded by Eppendorf goes to Austria - Presentation of the 2014 Eppendorf Award for Young European Investigator to Madeline Lancaster

This year’s research prize awarded by Eppendorf goes to Austria - Presentation of the 2014 Eppendorf Award for Young European Investigator to Madeline Lancaster

Phase III development of Antisoma's ASA404 in lung cancer extended to Japan

Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Announces Inaugural Stupski Prize in Prostate Cancer Computational Oncology - $25,000 Awarded to Nikolaus Schultz, PhD for Work on cBioPortal

Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Announces Inaugural Stupski Prize in Prostate Cancer Computational Oncology - $25,000 Awarded to Nikolaus Schultz, PhD for Work on cBioPortal

Transgene Receives FDA Fast Track Status for TG4010 for Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Dräger AG Invests in Digital Health Startup GWA Hygiene - Digital hygiene solutions for hospitals

Dräger AG Invests in Digital Health Startup GWA Hygiene - Digital hygiene solutions for hospitals

Sigma Life Science Announces Scientific Advisory Board to drive ADME/Tox program - Board to Provide Counsel on New Solutions for Pre-clinical Testing with Sigma’s CompoZr® Zinc Finger Nuclease (ZFN) Technology

New insight into cell receptors opens the way for tailored cancer drugs

Genetic Engineering without Unwanted Side-Effects Helps Fight Parasites - A live vaccine for toxoplasmosis

Genetic Engineering without Unwanted Side-Effects Helps Fight Parasites - A live vaccine for toxoplasmosis

Nanostructures in human teeth

Nanostructures in human teeth

New infection mechanism in coronavirus discovered - Results provide starting point for development of antiviral therapies

New infection mechanism in coronavirus discovered - Results provide starting point for development of antiviral therapies

New insights into lung tissue in Covid-19 disease - Researchers develop new three-dimensional imaging technique to visualize tissue damage in severe Covid-19

New insights into lung tissue in Covid-19 disease - Researchers develop new three-dimensional imaging technique to visualize tissue damage in severe Covid-19

Genzyme Announces Results of Phase 3 Trial of Clolar in Adult AML