Antibodies in Solution: a LINXS – NIST Webinar Series Speaker: Karoline Bechtold-Peters, NOVARTIS, Switzerland Wednesday Nov 2, 2022

Title: "Therapeutical monoclonal antibodies - significance for patients and evolution into the future“

The Antibodies in Solution: a LINXS – NIST Webinar Series provides background information related to the currently ongoing LINXS antibody research program. This is a concerted experimental and theoretical effort that aims to investigate the properties of monoclonal antibodies in solution, which comprise a major platform for potential drug candidates and are of high academic and pharmaceutical interest. An international consortium of researchers at academic institutions, research centers, NIST and Novartis has teamed up for this. Didactical lectures given by members of the consortium on different experimental and theoretical topics that are highly relevant for state-of-the-art antibody research as well as insights from pharmaceutical industry will be broadcasted. A central aspect of the webinar series will be to illustrate the full power of neutron and X-ray scattering science that can be achieved in combination with complementary experimental methods and different unifying simulation techniques.

Bio: Dr. Karoline Bechtold-Peters studied Pharmacy at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich and received her PhD in Pharmaceutical Technology in 1994 from Professor Dr. Karl Thomas with a thesis on "Stabilization of enzyme activity and availability of pancreatin pellets during aqueous coating with enteric-resistant cellulose derivatives". She started in 1949 at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma KG as Laboratory Manager for solid forms and inhalation powders, then moved to Pharmaceutical Biotechnology in 2000 as Head of Biologics Formulation Development (dosage forms for proteins, DNA and peptides including stand-by analytics via DSC, HP-SEC, DVS, particle sizing, BIAcore and other methods). In 2003, she was appointed Associate Director, Clinical Supplies and Process Transfer, Biopharmaceuticals. In 2011, Dr. Bechtold-Peters moved to F. Hoffmann-La Roche in Basel as Head Clinical Manufacturing Parenterals, Process Science & Business Excellence / Pharma Technical Development PTDE, Global Biologics and in 2016 to Novartis Pharma AG, also in Basel. There she is Senior Strategy and Technology Leader, BioFuture, and since 2021 in the Scientific Office Drug Product Development OneBiologics. Dr. Bechtold-Peters' interests lie particularly in protein formulation and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. She has developed expertise in the interaction of biologics with interfaces such as packaging materials and in the freezing and thawing of protein preparations. She has co-authored more than 45 papers and more than 30 patents.

Abstract: Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies have certainly revolutionized medicine in the 21st century. Currently, about 140 mAbs are registered worldwide and represent a significant share in the therapy of serious diseases such as cancer, MS, rheuma or macular degeneration. Especially in tumor therapy, antibodies can be effective via cell-mediated cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Recently, these functions have been partially removed and efficacy is achieved via other modes of actions: In bispecific or trispecific T-cell anhancing antibodies, for example, T cells are deliberately brought together with the structure on the target cell to induce cell death of the target cell. In Antibody-Drug-Conjugates or Antibody-Antibiotic-Conjugates, the antibodies are used as drug delivery spheres for the targeted application of potent small molecules. Antibody-engineering, such as glycoengineering, is of great importance. This talk will provide an overview of the development of antibody therapy and why it is important to understand the basic physicochemistry of antibodies and antibody-like molecules in order to develop good drugs.