The Challenges, Successes, and Future of Bispecific Antibodies
Atul Mohindra, head of Biologics R&D at Lonza, discusses the challenges and successes of bispecific antibodies as well as the field’s future direction from a CDMO perspective.
With the increasing shift toward precision medicines in the biopharmaceutical industry, there is also a growing need for enhanced potency and the establishment of novel mechanisms of action, says Atul Mohindra, head of Biologics R&D at Lonza. Thus, from Lonza’s perspective, there is a shift in which the development of monoclonal antibodies is moving toward more complicated formats of molecules.
“When it comes to analytical methods, some of the molecule types that we see in the industry [are] becoming extremely complicated,” Mohindra says. “Within the FDA-approved products, there's a minimal amount right now that … are bispecifics. However, when you look at the pipeline of products that are coming through in Phase I, Phase II, there's an enormous wave of these complex proteins that are coming through.”
“The need for increasing precision medicine [and] reducing off target events is always going to be there, and I think that's exactly where the industry needs to head,” Mohindra adds. “Along with that will come the increased use of AI technologies and, also, the increased use of analytical testing technologies. When you combine all of that with more efficient bioprocessing, such as continuous bio processing, I think that's where the future is going to be.”
Mohindra sees advancement in the use of more complex proteins with more wider applications, such as autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, and infectious diseases. “But,” he qualifies, “that ultimately will require and push the industry to advance when it comes to analytical technologies [and also] drive the industry towards using more cost effective bioprocess solutions.”
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About the speaker
Atul Mohindra, Head of Biologics R&D, Lonza
Atul Mohindra serves as the head of R&D Biologics at Lonza and has been with the company for almost 20 years. He is responsible for leading a global team of over 200 scientists that develop and implement innovative technologies at Lonza’s Biologics. Throughout his career, he has successfully developed and implemented several novel cell culture, purification, and analytical platform processes for multiple innovator and biosimilar programs. Mohindra also serves as a board observer for Affinia Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on gene therapies.
