Patent Application
20070269422
In one aspect, the invention achieves this objective by providing amino acid sequences, and in particular immunoglobulin sequences, and more in particular immunoglobulin variable domain sequences, that can bind to or otherwise associate with serum albumin in such a way that, when the amino acid sequence or polypeptide construct is bound to or otherwise associated with a serum albumin molecule in a primate, it exhibits a serum half-life of at least about 50% of the natural half-life of serum albumin in said primate, preferably at least about 60%, preferably at least about 70%, more preferably at least about 80% and most preferably at least about 90%.
The serum half-life of the amino acid sequence of the invention after administration to a primate may be at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or at least 100% of the natural half-life of serum albumin in said primate.
By “natural serum half-life of serum albumin in said primate” is meant the serum half-life as defined below, which serum albumin has in healthy individuals under physiological conditions. For example, the natural serum half-life of serum albumin in humans is 19 days. Smaller primates are known to have shorter natural half-lives of serum albumin, e.g. in the range of 8 to 19 days. Specific half-lives of serum albumin may be at least 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19 days or more.
From this it follows, that for example in a human individual, an amino acid sequence of the invention shows a serum half-life in association with serum albumin of at least about 50% of 19 days, i.e. 7.6 days. In smaller primates, the serum half-life may be shorter in days, depending on the natural half-lives of serum albumin in these species.
In the present description, the term “primate” refers to both species of monkeys an apes, and includes species of monkeys such as monkeys from the genus Macaca (such as, and in particular, cynomologus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) and/or rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)) and baboon (Papio ursinus)), as well as marmosets (species from the genus Callithrix), squirrel monkeys (species from the genus Saimiri) and tamarins (species from the genus Saguinus), as well as species of apes such as chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), and also includes man. Humans are the preferred primate according to the invention. Thus, for example, and as can be seen from the Examples below, the half-life of a Nanobody construct containing ALB-8 (SEQ ID NO: 62, an amino acid sequence of the invention) in rhesus monkeys is approximately 10 days, which is about 90% of the expected natural serum half-life of serum albumin in this species (approximately 11 days).
The half-life of an amino acid sequence or compound can generally be defined as the time taken for the serum concentration of the polypeptide to be reduced by 50%, in vivo, for example due to degradation of the sequence or compound and/or clearance or sequestration of the sequence or compound by natural mechanisms. The half-life of the amino acid sequences of the invention (and of compounds comprising the same) in the relevant species of primate can be determined in any manner known per se, such as by pharmacokinetic analysis. Suitable techniques will be clear to the person skilled in the art, and may for example generally involve the steps of suitably administering to the primate a suitable dose of the amino acid sequence or compound to be treated; collecting blood samples or other samples from said primate at regular intervals; determining the level or concentration of the amino acid sequence or compound of the invention in said blood sample; and calculating, from (a plot of) the data thus obtained, the time until the level or concentration of the amino acid sequence or compound of the invention has been reduced by 50% compared to the initial level upon dosing. Reference is for example made to the Examples below, as well as to the standard handbooks, such as Kenneth, A et al: Chemical Stability of Pharmaceuticals: A Handbook for Pharmacists and in Peters et al, Pharmacokinete analysis: A Practical Approach (1996). Reference is also made to “Pharmacokinetics”, M Gibaldi & D Perron, published by Marcel Dekker, 2nd Rev. edition (1982).
As described on pages 6 and 7 of WO 04/003019 and in the further references cited therein, the half-life can be expressed using parameters such as the t1/2-alpha, t1/2-beta and the area under the curve (AUC). In the present specification, an “increase in half-life” refers to an increase in any one of these parameters, such as any two of these parameters, or essentially all three these parameters. An “increase in half-life” in particular refers to an increase in the t1/2-beta, either with or without an increase in the t1/2-alpha and/or the AUC or both.
In another aspect, the invention provides amino acid sequences, and in particular immunoglobulin sequences, and more in particular immunoglobulin variable domain sequences, that are directed against serum albumin, preferably human serum albumin, and that have a half-life in rhesus monkeys of at least about 4, preferably at least about 7, more preferably at least about 9 days.
In a further aspect, the invention provides amino acid sequences, and in particular immunoglobulin sequences, and more in particular immunoglobulin variable domain sequences, that are directed against serum albumin, preferably human serum albumin.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides amino acid sequences, and in particular immunoglobulin sequences, and more in particular immunoglobulin variable domain sequences, that are directed against serum albumin, preferably human serum albumin, and that have a half-life in human of at least about 7, preferably at least about 15, more preferably at least about 17 days. The invention also relates to compounds of the invention that have a half-life in human that is at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, such as 95% or more or essentially the same as the half-life of the amino acid sequence of the invention present in said compound. More in particular, the invention also relates to compounds of the invention that have a half-life in human of at least about 7, preferably at least about 15, more preferably at least about 17 days.
The invention also provides compounds comprising the amino acid sequence of the invention, in particular compounds comprising at least one therapeutic moiety in addition to the amino acid sequence of the invention. The compounds according to the invention are characterized by exhibiting a comparable serum half-life in primates to the amino acid sequence of the invention, more preferable a half-life which is at least the serum half-life of the amino acid sequence of the invention, and more preferably a half-life which is higher than the half-life of the amino acid sequence of the invention in primates.
In one aspect, the invention achieves this objective by providing amino acid sequences, and in particular immunoglobulin sequences, and more in particular immunoglobulin variable domain sequences, that can bind to or otherwise associate with serum albumin in such a way that, when the amino acid sequence or polypeptide construct is bound to or otherwise associated with a serum albumin molecule, the binding of said serum albumin molecule to FcRn is not (significantly) reduced or inhibited (i.e. compared to the binding of said serum albumin molecule to FcRn when the amino acid sequence or polypeptide construct is not bound thereto). In this aspect of the invention, by “not significantly reduced or inhibited” is meant that the binding affinity for serum albumin to FcRn (as measured using a suitable assay, such as SPR) is not reduced by more than 50%, preferably not reduced by more than 30%, even more preferably not reduced by more than 10%, such as not reduced by more than 5%, or essentially not reduced at all. In this aspect of the invention, “not significantly reduced or inhibited” may also mean (or additionally mean) that the half-life of the serum albumin molecule is not significantly reduced (as defined below).
When in this description, reference is made to binding, such binding is preferably specific binding, as normally understood by the skilled person.
When an amino acid sequence as described herein is a monovalent immunoglobulin sequence (for example, a monovalent Nanobody), said monovalent immunoglobulin sequence preferably binds to human serum albumin with a dissociation constant (KD) of 10−5 to 10−12 moles/liter or less, and preferably 10−7 to 10−12 moles/liter or less and more preferably 10−8 to 10−12 moles/liter, and/or with a binding affinity (KA) of at least 107 M−1, preferably at least 108 M−1, more preferably at least 109 M−1, such as at least 1012 M−1. Any KD value greater than 104 mol/liter (or any KA value lower than 104 M−1) liters/mol is generally considered to indicate non-specific binding. Preferably, a monovalent immunoglobulin sequence of the invention will bind to the desired antigen with an affinity less than 500 nM, preferably less than 200 nM, more preferably less than 10 nM, such as less than 500 pM. Specific binding of an antigen-binding protein to an antigen or antigenic determinant can be determined in any suitable manner known per se, including, for example, Scatchard analysis and/or competitive binding assays, such as radioimmunoassays (RIA), enzyme immunoassays (EIA) and sandwich competition assays, and the different variants thereof known per se in the art.
In another aspect, the invention provides amino acid sequences, and in particular immunoglobulin sequences, and more in particular immunoglobulin variable domain sequences, that can bind to or otherwise associate with serum albumin in such a way that, when the amino acid sequence or polypeptide construct is bound to or otherwise associated with a serum albumin molecule, the half-life of the serum albumin molecule is not (significantly) reduced (i.e. compared to the half-life of the serum albumin molecule when the amino acid sequence or polypeptide construct is not bound thereto). In this aspect of the invention, by “not significantly reduced” is meant that the half-life of the serum albumin molecule (as measured using a suitable technique known per se) is not reduced by more than 50%, preferably not reduced by more than 30%, even more preferably not reduced by more than 10%, such as not reduced by more than 5%, or essentially not reduced at all.
In another aspect, the invention provides amino acid sequences, and in particular immunoglobulin sequences, and more in particular immunoglobulin variable domain sequences, that are capable of binding to amino acid residues on serum albumin that are not involved in binding of serum albumin to FcRn. More in particular, this aspect of the invention provides amino acid sequences that are capable of binding to amino acid sequences of serum albumin that do not form part of domain III of serum albumin. For example, but without being limited thereto, this aspect of the invention provides amino acid sequences that are capable of binding to amino acid sequences of serum albumin that form part of domain I and/or domain II.
The amino acid sequences of the invention are preferably (single) domain antibodies or suitable for use as (single) domain antibodies, and as such may be heavy chain variable domain sequence (VH sequence) or a light chain variable domain sequence (VL sequence), and preferably are VH sequences. The amino acid sequences may for example be so-called “dAb's”.
However, according to a particularly preferred embodiment, the amino acid sequences of the present invention are Nanobodies. For a further description and definition of Nanobodies, as well as of some of the further terms used in the present description (such as, for example and without limitation, the term “directed against”) reference is made to the copending patent applications by Ablynx N. V. (such as the copending International application by Ablynx N. V. entitled “Improved Nanobodies™ against Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha”, which has the same priority and the same international filing date as the present application); as well as the further prior art cited therein.
As such, they may be Nanobodies belonging to the “KERE”-class, to the “GLEW”-class or to the “103-P,R,S”-class (again as defined in the copending patent applications by Ablynx N. V.).
Preferably, the amino acid sequences of the present invention are humanized Nanobodies (again as defined in the copending patent applications by Ablynx N. V.).
The amino acid sequences disclosed herein can be used with advantage as a fusion partner in order to increase the half-life of therapeutic moieties such as proteins, compounds (including, without limitation, small molecules) or other therapeutic entities.
Thus, in another aspect, the invention provides proteins or polypeptides that comprise or essentially consist of an amino acid sequence as disclosed herein. In particular, the invention provides protein or polypeptide constructs that comprise or essentially consist of at least one amino acid sequence of the invention that is linked to at least one therapeutic moiety, optionally via one or more suitable linkers or spacers. Such protein or polypeptide constructs may for example (without limitation) be a fusion protein, as further described herein.
The invention further relates to therapeutic uses of protein or polypeptide constructs or fusion proteins and constructs and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such protein or polypeptide constructs or fusion proteins.
In some embodiments the at least one therapeutic moiety comprises or essentially consists of a therapeutic protein, polypeptide, compound, factor or other entity. In a preferred embodiment the therapeutic moiety is directed against a desired antigen or target, is capable of binding to a desired antigen (and in particular capable of specifically binding to a desired antigen), and/or is capable of interacting with a desired target. In another embodiment, the at least one therapeutic moiety comprises or essentially consists of a therapeutic protein or polypeptide. In a further embodiment, the at least one therapeutic moiety comprises or essentially consists of an immunoglobulin or immunoglobulin sequence (including but not limited to a fragment of an immunoglobulin), such as an antibody or an antibody fragment (including but not limited to an ScFv fragment). In yet another embodiment, the at least one therapeutic moiety comprises or essentially consists of an antibody variable domain, such as a heavy chain variable domain or a light chain variable domain.
In a preferred embodiment, the at least one therapeutic moiety comprises or essentially consists of at least one domain antibody or single domain antibody, “dAb” or Nanobody®. According to this embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the invention is preferably also a domain antibody or single domain antibody, “dAb” or Nanobody, so that the resulting construct or fusion protein is a multivalent construct (as described herein) and preferably a multispecific construct (also as defined herein) comprising at least two domain antibodies, single domain antibodies, “dAbs” or Nanobodies® (or a combination thereof), at least one of which is directed against (as defined herein) serum albumin.
In a specific embodiment, the at least one therapeutic moiety comprises or essentially consists of at least one monovalent Nanobody® or a bivalent, multivalent, bispecific or multispecific Nanobody® construct. According to this embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the invention is preferably also a Nanobody, so that the resulting construct or fusion protein is a multivalent Nanobody construct (as described herein) and preferably a multispecific Nanobody construct (also as defined herein) comprising at least two Nanobodies, at least one of which is directed against (as defined herein) serum albumin.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the Nanobody against human serum albumin is a humanized Nanobody.
Also, when the amino acid sequences, proteins, polypeptides or constructs of the invention are intended for pharmaceutical or diagnostic use, the aforementioned are preferably directed against human serum albumin. According to one preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, the amino acid sequences, proteins, polypeptides or constructs show an affinity for human serum albumin that is higher than the affinity for mouse serum albumin (determined as described in the Examples).
According to one preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the invention is directed to the same epitope on human serum albumin as clone PMP6A6 (ALB-1).
According to a specific, but non-limiting embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the invention is an immunoglobulin sequence (and preferably a Nanobody) that is capable of binding to human serum albumin that consists of 4 framework regions (FR1 to FR4 respectively) and 3 complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3 respectively), in which:
In the above amino acid sequences:
(1) any amino acid substitution is preferably a conservative amino acid substitution (as defined herein); and/or
(2) said amino acid sequence preferably only contains amino acid substitutions, and no amino acid deletions or insertions, compared to the above amino acid sequences.
Some preferred combinations of CDR sequences in the Nanobodies of the invention, and some preferred combinations of CDR and framework sequences in the Nanobodies of the invention, can be seen from Table I below.
Table II below lists some preferred Nanobodies of the invention. Table III below lists some preferred humanized Nanobodies of the invention.
Thus, in another aspect, an amino acid sequence of the invention is a Nanobody, which has at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity (as defined herein) with at least one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO's 50 to 64.
Thus, in another aspect, an amino acid sequence of the invention is a Nanobody, which has at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity (as defined herein) with at least one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO's 50 to 64, in which:
In another aspect, an amino acid sequence of the invention is a Nanobody, which has at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity (as defined herein) with at least one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO's 50 to 64, in which:
One particularly preferred group of Nanobodies for use in the present invention comprises clone PMP6A6 (ALB 1; SEQ ID NO: 52) and humanized variants thereof, including but not limited to the clones ALB 3 (SEQ ID NO: 57); ALB 4 (SEQ ID NO: 58); ALB 5 (SEQ ID NO: 59); ALB 6 (SEQ ID NO: 60); ALB 7 (SEQ ID NO: 61); ALB 8 (SEQ ID NO: 62); ALB 9 (SEQ ID NO: 63); and ALB 10 (SEQ ID NO: 64), of which ALB 8 (SEQ ID NO: 62) is particularly preferred.
Thus, in one preferred aspect, the invention relates to an amino acid sequence, which has at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity (as defined herein) with at least one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO's 52 and 57 to 64.
In another preferred aspect, the amino acid sequence of the invention is an immunoglobulin sequence (and preferably a Nanobody) that is capable of binding to human serum albumin that consists of 4 framework regions (FR1 to FR4 respectively) and 3 complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3 respectively), in which:
a) CDR1 comprises, is or essentially consists of:
In particular, the invention relates to such a Nanobody, in which:
and/or in which
and/or in which:
More in particular, the invention relates to such a Nanobody, in which
and/or in which:
and/or in which:
CDR3 comprises or is the amino acid sequence GGSLSR.
Even more in particular, the invention relates to such a Nanobody, in which CDR1 comprises or is the amino acid sequence SFGMS; CDR2 comprises or is the amino acid sequence SISGSGSDTLYADSVKG and CDR3 comprises or is the amino acid sequence GGSLSR.
These amino acid sequences again preferably have at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity (as defined herein) with at least one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO's 52 and 57 to 64.
Also, again, these amino acid sequences are preferably humanized, as described in the co-pending applications by Ablynx N. V. Some preferred humanizing substitutions will be clear from the skilled person, for example from comparing the non-humanized sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52 with the corresponding humanized sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 57-64.
When the amino acid sequence is an immunoglobulin sequence such as a immunoglobulin variable domain sequence, a suitable (i.e. suitable for the purposes mentioned herein) fragment of such a sequence may also be used. For example, when the amino acid sequence is a Nanobody, such a fragment may essentially be as described in WO 04/041865.
The invention also relates to a protein or polypeptide that comprises or essentially consists of an amino acid sequence as described herein, or a suitable fragment thereof.
As mentioned herein, the amino acid sequences described herein can be used with advantage as a fusion partner in order to increase the half-life of therapeutic moieties such as proteins, compounds (including, without limitation, small molecules) or other therapeutic entities. Thus, one embodiment of the invention relates to a construct or fusion protein that comprises at least one amino acid sequence of the invention and at least one therapeutic moieties. Such a construct or fusion protein preferably has increased half-life, compared to the therapeutic moiety per se. Generally, such fusion proteins and constructs can be (prepared and used) as described in the prior art cited above, but with an amino acid sequence of the invention instead of the half-life increasing moieties described in the prior art.
Generally, the constructs or fusion proteins described herein preferably have a half-life that is at least 1.5 times, preferably at least 2 times, such as at least 5 times, for example at least 10 times or more than 20 times, greater than the half-life of the corresponding therapeutic moiety per se.
Also, preferably, any such fusion protein or construct has a half-life that is increased with more than 1 hour, preferably more than 2 hours, more preferably of more than 6 hours, such as of more than 12 hours, compared to the half-life of the corresponding therapeutic moiety per se.
Also, preferably, any fusion protein or construct has a half-life that is more than 1 hour, preferably more than 2 hours, more preferably of more than 6 hours, such as of more than 12 hours, and for example of about one day, two days, one week, two weeks or three weeks, and preferably no more than 2 months, although the latter may be less critical.
Also, as mentioned above, when the amino acid sequence of the invention is a Nanobody, it can be used to increase the half-life of other immunoglobulin sequences, such as domain antibodies, single domain antibodies, “dAb's” or Nanobodies.
Thus, one embodiment of the invention relates to a construct or fusion protein that comprises at least one amino acid sequence of the invention and at least one immunoglobulin sequence, such as a domain antibodies, single domain antibodies, “dAb's” or Nanobodies. The immunoglobulin sequence is preferably directed against a desired target (which is preferably a therapeutic target), and/or another immunoglobulin sequence that useful or suitable for therapeutic, prophylactic and/or diagnostic purposes.
Thus, in another aspect, the invention relates to a multispecific (and in particular bispecific) Nanobody constructs that comprises at least one Nanobody as described herein, and at least one other Nanobody, in which said at least one other Nanobody is preferably directed against a desired target (which is preferably a therapeutic target), and/or another Nanobody that useful or suitable for therapeutic, prophylactic and/or diagnostic purposes.
For a general description of multivalent and multispecific polypeptides containing one or more Nanobodies and their preparation, reference is also made to Conrath et al., J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 276, 10. 7346-7350, 2001; Muyldermans, Reviews in Molecular Biotechnology 74 (2001), 277-302; as well as to for example WO 96/34103 and WO 99/23221. Some other examples of some specific multispecific and/or multivalent polypeptide of the invention can be found in the co-pending applications by Ablynx N. V. In particular, for a general description of multivalent and multispecific constructs comprising at least one Nanobody against a serum protein for increasing the half-life, of nucleic acids encoding the same, of compositions comprising the same, of the preparation of the aforementioned, and of uses of the aforementioned, reference is made to the International application WO 04/041865 by Ablynx N. V. mentioned above. The amino acid sequences described herein can generally be used analogously to the half-life increasing Nanobodies described therein.
In one non-limiting embodiment, said other Nanobody is directed against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), in monomeric and/or multimeric (i.e. trimeric) form. Some examples of such Nanobody constructs can be found in the copending International application by Ablynx N. V. entitled “Improved Nanobodies™ against Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha”, which has the same priority and the same international filing date as the present application.
The invention also relates to nucleotide sequences or nucleic acids that encode amino acid sequences, compounds, fusion proteins and constructs described herein. The invention further includes genetic constructs that include the foregoing nucleotide sequences or nucleic acids and one or more elements for genetic constructs known per se. The genetic construct may be in the form of a plasmid or vector. Again, such constructs can be generally as described in the co-pending patent applications by Ablynx N. V. described herein, such as WO 04/041862 or the copending International application by Ablynx N. V. entitled “Improved Nanobodies™ against Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha”.
The invention also relates to hosts or host cells that contain such nucleotide sequences or nucleic acids, and/or that express (or are capable of expressing), the amino acid sequences, compounds, fusion proteins and constructs described herein. Again, such host cells can be generally as described in the co-pending patent applications by Ablynx N. V. described herein, such as WO 04/041862 or the copending International application by Ablynx N. V. entitled “Improved Nanobodies™ against Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha”.
The invention also relates to a method for preparing an amino acid sequence, compound, fusion protein or construct as described herein, which method comprises cultivating or maintaining a host cell as described herein under conditions such that said host cell produces or expresses an amino acid sequence, compound, fusion protein or construct as described herein, and optionally further comprises isolating the amino acid sequence, compound, fusion protein or construct so produced. Again, such methods can be performed as generally described in the co-pending patent applications by Ablynx N. V. described herein, such as WO 04/041862 or the copending International application by Ablynx N. V. entitled “Improved Nanobodies™ against Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha”.
The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition that comprises at least one amino acid sequence, compound, fusion protein or construct as described herein, and optionally at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient. Such preparations, carriers, excipients and diluents may generally be as described in the co-pending patent applications by Ablynx N. V. described herein, such as WO 04/041862 or the copending International application by Ablynx N. V. entitled “Improved Nanobodies™ against Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha”.
However, since the amino acid sequences, compounds, fusion proteins or constructs described herein have an increased half-life, they are preferably administered to the circulation. As such, they can be administered in any suitable manner that allows the amino acid sequences, compound, fusion proteins or constructs to enter the circulation, such as intravenously, via injection or infusion, or in any other suitable manner (including oral administration, administration through the skin, transmucosal administration, intranasal administration, administration via the lungs, etc) that allows the amino acid sequences, compounds, fusion proteins or constructs to enter the circulation. Suitable methods and routes of administration will be clear to the skilled person, again for example also from the teaching of WO 04/041862 or the copending International application by Ablynx N. V. entitled “Improved Nanobodies™ against Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha.
Thus, in another aspect, the invention relates to a method for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease or disorder that can be prevented or treated by the use of a compound, fusion protein or construct as described herein, which method comprises administering, to a subject in need thereof, a pharmaceutically active amount of an amino acid sequence, compound, fusion protein or construct of the invention, and/or of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. The diseases and disorders that can be prevented or treated by the use of an amino acid sequence, compound, fusion protein or construct as described herein will generally be the same as the diseases and disorders that can be prevented or treated by the use of the therapeutic moiety that is present in the amino acid sequence, compound, fusion protein or construct of the invention.
The subject to be treated may be any primate, but is in particular a human being. As will be clear to the skilled person, the subject to be treated will in particular be a person suffering from, or at risk from, the diseases and disorders mentioned herein.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of treatment wherein the frequency of administering the amino acid sequence, compound, fusion protein or construct of the invention is at least 50% of the natural half-life of serum albumin in said primate, preferably at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80% and most preferably at least 90%.
Specific frequencies of administration to a primate, which are within the scope of the present invention are at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or at least 100% of the natural half-life of serum albumin in said primate as defined above.
In other words, specific frequencies of administration which are within the scope of the present invention are every 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19 days.
Without limitation, the frequencies of administration referred to above are in particular suited for maintaining a desired level of the amino acid sequence, compound, fusion protein or construct in the serum of the subject treated with the amino acid sequence, compound, fusion protein or construct, optionally after administration of one or more (initial) doses that are intended to establish said desired serum level. As will be clear to the skilled person, the desired serum level may inter alia be dependent on the amino acid sequence, compound, fusion protein or construct used and/or the disease to be treated. The clinician or physician will be able to select the desired serum level and to select the dose(s) and/or amount(s) to be administered to the subject to be treated in order to achieve and/or to maintain the desired serum level in said subject, when the amino acid sequence, compound, fusion protein or construct of the invention is administered at the frequencies mentioned herein.
In the context of the present invention, the term “prevention and/or treatment” not only comprises preventing and/or treating the disease, but also generally comprises preventing the onset of the disease, slowing or reversing the progress of disease, preventing or slowing the onset of one or more symptoms associated with the disease, reducing and/or alleviating one or more symptoms associated with the disease, reducing the severity and/or the duration of the disease and/or of any symptoms associated therewith and/or preventing a further increase in the severity of the disease and/or of any symptoms associated therewith, preventing, reducing or reversing any physiological damage caused by the disease, and generally any pharmacological action that is beneficial to the patient being treated.
The subject to be treated may be any primate, but is in particular a human being. As will be clear to the skilled person, the subject to be treated will in particular be a person suffering from, or at risk from, the diseases and disorders treatable by the therapeutic moiety mentioned herein.
In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for immunotherapy, and in particular for passive immunotherapy, which method comprises administering, to a subject suffering from or at risk of the diseases and disorders mentioned herein, a pharmaceutically active amount of an amino acid sequence, compound, fusion protein or construct of the invention, and/or of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same.
The invention also relates to methods for extending or increasing the serum half-life of a therapeutic. In these methods, the therapeutic is contacted with any of the amino acid sequences, compounds, fusion proteins or constructs of the invention, including multivalent and multispecific Nanobodies, such that the therapeutic is bound to or otherwise associated with the amino acid sequences, compounds, fusion proteins or constructs.
The therapeutic and the amino acid sequences, compounds, fusion proteins or constructs can be bound or otherwise associated in various ways known to the skilled person. In the case of biological therapeutics, such as a peptide or polypeptide, the therapeutic can be fused to the amino acid sequences, compounds, fusion proteins or constructs according to methods known in the art. The therapeutic can be directly fused, or fused using a spacer or linker molecule or sequence. The spacer or linker are, in preferred embodiments, made of amino acids, but other non-amino acid spacers or linkers can be used as is well known in the art. Thus, the step of contacting the therapeutic can include preparing a fusion protein by linking the peptide or polypeptide with the amino acid sequences, compounds, fusion proteins or constructs of the invention, including multivalent and multispecific Nanobodies.
The therapeutic also can be bound directly by the amino acid sequences, compounds, fusion proteins or constructs of the invention. As one example, a multivalent and multispecific Nanobody can include at least one variable domain that binds serum albumin and at least one variable domain that binds the therapeutic.
The methods for extending or increasing serum half-life of a therapeutic can further include administering the therapeutic to a primate after the therapeutic is bound to or otherwise associated with the amino acid sequence, compound, fusion proteins or constructs of the invention. In such methods the half-life of the therapeutic is extended or increased by significant amounts, as is described elsewhere herein.
The amino acid sequence, compound, fusion protein or construct and/or the compositions comprising the same are administered according to a regime of treatment that is suitable for preventing and/or treating the disease or disorder to be prevented or treated. The clinician will generally be able to determine a suitable treatment regimen, depending on factors such as the disease or disorder to be prevented or treated, the severity of the disease to be treated and/or the severity of the symptoms thereof, the specific Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention to be used, the specific route of administration and pharmaceutical formulation or composition to be used, the age, gender, weight, diet, general condition of the patient, and similar factors well known to the clinician.
Generally, the treatment regimen will comprise the administration of one or more amino acid sequences, compounds, fusion proteins or constructs of the invention, or of one or more compositions comprising the same, in one or more pharmaceutically effective amounts or doses. The specific amount(s) or doses to administered can be determined by the clinician, again based on the factors cited above.
Generally, for the prevention and/or treatment of the diseases and disorders mentioned herein and depending on the specific disease or disorder to be treated, the potency and/or the half-life of the specific amino acid sequences, compounds, fusion proteins or constructs to be used, the specific route of administration and the specific pharmaceutical formulation or composition used, the Nanobodies and polypeptides of the invention will generally be administered in an amount between 1 gram and 0.01 microgram per kg body weight per day, preferably between 0.1 gram and 0.1 microgram per kg body weight per day, such as about 1, 10, 100 or 1000 microgram per kg body weight per day, either continuously (e.g. by infusion), as a single daily dose or as multiple divided doses during the day. The clinician will generally be able to determine a suitable daily dose, depending on the factors mentioned herein. It will also be clear that in specific cases, the clinician may choose to deviate from these amounts, for example on the basis of the factors cited above and his expert judgment. Generally, some guidance on the amounts to be administered can be obtained from the amounts usually administered for comparable conventional antibodies or antibody fragments against the same target administered via essentially the same route, taking into account however differences in affinity/avidity, efficacy, biodistribution, half-life and similar factors well known to the skilled person.
Usually, in the above method, a single Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention will be used. It is however within the scope of the invention to use two or more Nanobodies and/or polypeptides of the invention in combination.
The Nanobodies and polypeptides of the invention may also be used in combination with one or more further pharmaceutically active compounds or principles, i.e. as a combined treatment regimen, which may or may not lead to a synergistic effect. Again, the clinician will be able to select such further compounds or principles, as well as a suitable combined treatment regimen, based on the factors cited above and his expert judgement.
In particular, the Nanobodies and polypeptides of the invention may be used in combination with other pharmaceutically active compounds or principles that are or can be used for the prevention and/or treatment of the diseases and disorders that can be prevented or treated with the fusion proteins or constructs of the invention, and as a result of which a synergistic effect may or may not be obtained.
The effectiveness of the treatment regimen used according to the invention may be determined and/or followed in any manner known per se for the disease or disorder involved, as will be clear to the clinician. The clinician will also be able, where appropriate and or a case-by-case basis, to change or modify a particular treatment regimen, so as to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, to avoid, limit or reduce unwanted side-effects, and/or to achieve an appropriate balance between achieving the desired therapeutic effect on the one hand and avoiding, limiting or reducing undesired side effects on the other hand.
Generally, the treatment regimen will be followed until the desired therapeutic effect is achieved and/or for as long as the desired therapeutic effect is to be maintained. Again, this can be determined by the clinician.
The invention will now be further described by means of the following non-limiting Examples and the attached Figures.
The albumin specific nanobodies were identified from a llama immunized with human serum albumin. Screening of individual nanobodies was performed by ELISA using human, rhesus and mouse albumin, yielding a panel of nanobodies cross-reacting with the serum albumin of various species.
Binding of nanobodies to serum albumin was characterised by surface plasmon resonance in a Biacore 3000 instrument. Serum albumin from different species was covalently bound to CM5 sensor chips surface via amine coupling until an increase of 250 response units was reached. Remaining reactive groups were inactivated. Nanobody binding was assessed at one concentration (1 in 20 diluted). Each nanobody was injected for 4 minutes at a flow rate of 45 μl/min to allow for binding to chip-bound antigen. Binding buffer without nanobody was sent over the chip at the same flow rate to allow spontaneous dissociation of bound nanobody for 4 hours. Koff-values were calculated from the sensorgrams obtained for the different nanobodies. The nanobodies tested are ranked according to koff-values, see Table IV below:
In a follow-up experiment, binding was assayed as described above except that series of different concentrations were used. Each concentration was injected for 4 minutes at a flow rate of 45 μl/min to allow for binding to chip-bound antigen. Binding buffer without analyte was sent over the chip at the same flow rate to allow for dissociation of bound nanobody. After 15 minutes, remaining bound analyte was removed by injection of the regeneration solution (25 mM NaOH).
From the sensorgrams obtained for the different concentrations of each analyte KD-values were calculated via steady state affinity when equilibrium was reached.
Results are summarized in Table V. Cross-reactivity is observed for both ALB1 and ALB2. The highest affinity is observed for ALB2 on human and rhesus TNFα. However, the difference in affinity for human/rhesus versus mouse serum albumin is more pronounced for ALB2 (factor 400), while for ALB1 a difference of a factor 12 is observed.
The pharmacokinetic properties of a trivalent bispecific Nanobody construct comprising the humanized anti-human serum albumin Nanobody ALB-8 (SEQ ID NO: 62) were investigated in rhesus monkeys. On day 0, three monkeys received 2 mg/kg of the construct in. Plasma samples were taken from the monkeys upon administration and on days 1, 2, 4, 8, 11 and 14 following administration (as set out below) and were analyzed to determine the pharmacokinetic profile. The PK profiles in all monkeys were similar, with a calculated half-life of approximately 10 days. This calculated half-life is in the range of the presumed half-life of albumin in rhesus monkeys.
Three rhesus monkeys were acclimatized 4 weeks prior to the study for acclimatization. On day 0, the monkeys received 2 mg/kg of the construct via an intravenous infusion into the vena cephalica of the right or left arm using indwelling catheters and an infusion pump. The dose was administered as a slow bolus in a volume of 2 ml/kg over 5 minutes. During each dosing cycle blood samples were taken at the following times:
prior to infusion:
after starting infusion:
2 ml whole blood were withdrawn from the vena cephalica of the left or right arm, which was not used for application, or from the vena saphena magna from the left or right hind limb in order to obtain approximately 800 μL Na-Heparin plasma from each animal at each sampling time.
For the PK analysis, a 96-well Maxisorp plate was coated with 2 μg/ml NeutrAvidin (Pierce) at 100 μl/well in PBS ON at 4° C. Plates were blocked with PBS, 1% casein using 200 μl/well for 2 h at RT. Biotinylated antigen at 0.4 μg/ml in PBS, 0.2% casein was added to the wells and incubated for 1 h at RT. Plasma samples were diluted in a non-coated plate and incubated for 15 min at RT. 100 μl of each diluted plasma sample was then transferred into the previously prepared wells, followed by incubation for 2 h at RT. Bound construct was detected using a polyclonal rabbit anti-Nanobody antibody (custom-made by Dabio, Germany by immunizing rabbits with various Nanobodies) diluted 1/2000 followed by addition of anti-rabbit IgG alkaline phosphatase antibody (diluted 1/2000, Sigma, A1902) and 2 mg/ml pNPP (paranitrophenylphosphate) as substrate. The absorbance is measured at 405 nm.
The concentration of the construct in plasma samples was determined by comparison with a standard curve of the construct diluted in an appropriate concentration of rhesus monkey plasma. The results are shown in
The pharmacokinetic properties of the construct used in Example 3 were tested in baboons, essentially in the same manner as described in Example 3 for the rhesus monkey studies. On day 0, two baboons received 2 mg/kg of the construct. Plasma samples were taken from the baboons monkeys upon administration and on days 1, 2, 4, 8, 11 and 14 following administration (as set out below) and were analyzed to determine the pharmacokinetic behaviour of the construct. The pharmacokinetic profile of the construct in baboons was similar to the profile in rhesus monkeys, and was characterized by an average half-life of about 10 days, calculated from the PK data.
Two male juvenile baboons were used in this study. The animals weighed approximately 10-15 kg and were disease free for at least 6 weeks prior to use. To enable handling, the baboons were sedated with approximately 1 mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride. On day 0, the baboons received of 2 mg/kg of the construct via an intravenous infusion into the vena cephalica of the right or left arm using indwelling catheters and an infusion pump. The dose was administered as a slow bolus in a volume of 2 ml/kg over 5 minutes. During each of the construct dosing cycle blood samples were taken at the following times:
Prior to infusion:
After starting infusion:
2 ml whole blood were withdrawn from the vena cephalica of the left or right arm, which was not used for application, or from the vena saphena magna from the left or right hind limb in order to obtain approximately 800 μL Na-Heparin plasma from each animal at each sampling time.
A 96-well Maxisorp plate was coated with 2 μg/ml NeutrAvidin (Pierce) at 100 μl/well in PBS ON at 4° C. Plates were blocked with PBS, 1% casein using 200 μl/well for 2 h at RT. Biotinylated antigen in PBS, 0.2% casein was added to the wells and incubated for 1 h at RT. Plasma samples were diluted in a non-coated plate and incubated for 15 min at RT. 100 μl of each diluted plasma sample was then transferred into the previously prepared wells, followed by incubation for 2 h at RT.
Bound construct was detected using a polyclonal rabbit anti-Nanobody antibody (as above) diluted 1/2000 followed by addition of anti-rabbit IgG alkaline phosphatase antibody (diluted 1/2000, Sigma, A1902) and 2 mg/ml pNPP as substrate. The absorbance is measured at 405 nm. The concentration of the construct in plasma samples was determined by comparison with a standard curve of the construct diluted in an appropriate concentration of monkey plasma.
The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.
All of the references described herein are incorporated by reference, in particular for the teaching that is referenced hereinabove.
This application is a continuation-in-part of International Application PCT/EP2006/004679 designating the United States of America, filed May 17, 2006, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/682,332, filed May 18, 2005, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/EP06/04679 | May 2006 | US |
| Child | 11517816 | US |
