To treat cancer more effectively and affordably, some bioprocessors are seeking better ways to make monoclonal antibodies. In Cambridge, MA, scientists at Surface Oncology are applying several improvements in making their investigational therapies.
Surface Oncology’s SRF114 is a fully human anti-CCR8 (C-C motif chemokine receptor 8) antibody. CCR8 is a protein marker found on regulatory T (Treg) cells.
“CCR8+ Treg cells play an important role in restraining antitumor immune responses,” says Vito Palombella, PhD, CSO at Surface Oncology. “CCR8 therefore represents an attractive target for antibody-mediated depletion of tumor-infiltrating Treg cells.”
The antibody is designed to enable antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis.
The company is making SRF114 with a “genetically modified cell line to produce a highly enriched, afucosylated immunoglobulin G1, IgG1, monoclonal antibody,” says Palombella. The manufacturing consists of a “chemically defined, fed-batch process with an affinity-capture step followed by two polishing steps,” he explains.
To make SRF114 as efficiently as possible, Surface Oncology believes it found the right bioprocessing partner.
“It was critical that we leverage prior platform process knowledge from a well-known CMO to reduce timelines and achieve the desired target product profile,” continues Palombella, who adds that the company plans to file an IND for SRF114 this year and initiate a Phase I clinical trial shortly thereafter.
