Antibody Species Conversion
Antibody species conversion is a critical step when transitioning therapeutic or diagnostic antibodies originally developed in human, mouse or rabbit into veterinary formats suitable for cat, dog, horse, pig or cattle. This process ensures compatibility with the target species’ immune system, minimizing immunogenicity and enhancing efficacy.
Antibody Species Conversion
Antibody species conversion is a critical step when transitioning therapeutic or diagnostic antibodies originally developed in human, mouse or rabbit into veterinary formats suitable for cat, dog, horse, pig or cattle. This process ensures compatibility with the target species’ immune system, minimizing immunogenicity and enhancing efficacy.
At Fusion, we specialize in grafting antigen-binding regions (CDRs) onto native frameworks from the target species. Our approach preserves specificity while improving safety, tolerability, and downstream performance in veterinary and cross-species applications.
Applications
- Conversion of antibodies from mouse and rabbit discovery programs for veterinary use
- Adaptation of human clinical-stage antibodies for animal health and diagnostics
Common Species Conversions
| Conversion Type | Target Species |
|---|---|
| Caninization | Dog |
| Felinization | Cat |
| Equinization | Horse |
| Porcinization | Pig |
| Bovinization | Cattle |
Key Challenges in Species Conversion
- Framework-CDR mismatch can lead to loss of affinity or structural instability
- Canonical loop differences, especially in CDR-H1 and H2, may disrupt antigen binding
- Cattle-specific constraints: ultralong CDR-H3 loops are structurally incompatible with conventional grafts
- Immunogenicity risks from foreign sequences in veterinary hosts
- Sparse germline databases complicate framework selection
- Limited structural data hinders accurate modelling
- Backmutation complexity due to poorly annotated framework residues
Fusion’s Unique Approach
- Proven framework selection and grafting strategy, built on 300 successful humanization projects
- Expertise in atypical architectures, including non-canonical loops and species-specific frameworks
- Deep structural insight into donor and acceptor antibodies of different species for optimal pairing
- Feasibility modelling to assess project success before initiation
- Liability and CDR sequence screening to flag developability and immunogenicity risks early
Integrated Services to Accelerate Success
- Scalable antibody production (mg to g levels) for rapid prototyping and testing
- Stable cell line development for consistent, high-yield expression
- Purification strategies matched to veterinary isotypes, delivering clean, reliable antibody preparations for downstream use.
- Binding analysis to confirm functional retention post-conversion
- Thermal stability profiling to assess folding robustness and guide framework selection
- Aggregation and solubility testing to identify risks and optimize manufacturability
Ready to explore species conversion for your antibody program? Partner with Fusion to unlock veterinary compatibility with precision and confidence.
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