Recombinant Protein Therapeutics

The customizable functionality of fusion protein therapeutics creates advantages over antibody-based therapies by combining modular building blocks that can reach targets not accessible to antibodies. Additional advantages include lower patient dosing, reduced production costs and improved product homogeneity. The Recombinant Protein Therapeutics conference explores the varying constructs and “designs” of fusion protein molecules, and discloses how they are being engineered to form more efficacious therapeutics that offer specificity with enhanced stability and longer half life. Experts present case studies from R&D through clinical data and share the results they have achieved.

Keynote Presentation

9:10 Roche’s Strategies to Discover, Design, Develop, and Deliver New Innovative Therapeutic Biologics

Ralf Schumacher, Ph.D., Site Head, Large Molecule Research Penzberg, and pRED Center Manager, Roche Diagnostics GmbH

Biologics have become a key component in the treatment of various life-threatening diseases. The majority of these drugs are classical monoclonal antibodies. In order to discover and develop differentiated monoclonal antibodies, Roche’s strategy is based on engineering technologies. ADCC-enhancement, multi-pathway-inhibition, specific tumor-targeting of pharmacophores and blood-brain-barrier crossing are examples for successfully engineered mAbs and fusion proteins. In this presentation, I will describe Roche’s strategies to design such molecules, give examples but will also address challenges for technical development.