Custom Monoclonal Antibody Generation

AltaBioscience provides a flexible custom monoclonal antibody production service with options to suit specific customer requirements. With decades of experience in generating custom monoclonal antibodies, our team offers both consultative and commercial support.

Certified to ISO 9001, all aspects of custom monoclonal antibody production are conducted in the UK. AltaBioscience can provide peptide antigen synthesis, or source the antigen for clients. Clients may also supply their own antigens. The entire mAb production program typically takes 3-6 months, depending on the selected services. Our custom monoclonal antibody services are fully adaptable to meet your needs, with a commitment to achieving optimal results.

Each project is split into five stages, and the project can be terminated at the end of each stage if requested by the client.

We offer:

A flexible custom monoclonal antibody services package – choose only the elements you require.
All work is conducted in the UK, ensuring compliance with UK ethical review standards.
Options to terminate the program at set stages, saving you time and money.
Full ownership of all project elements, residing entirely with the client.

The monoclonal antibody generation process

Our custom monoclonal antibody production process is divided into five phases. A typical project may yield up to 10 positive wells at the fusion screening stage and deliver two to three stable custom monoclonal antibodies post-cloning. However, while the outcome is guided by our proven mAb production techniques, the final number of monoclonal antibodies cannot be guaranteed. Our flexible, line-based pricing approach allows clients to bring more candidates forward, avoiding rigid pricing per hybridoma line.

Phase 1: Antigen Design and Production (2-4 weeks)
Our peptide antigen synthesis service is a fast, efficient way of obtaining high-quality peptide antigens. Using our in-house synthesis service, our peptide chemists can also assist with the design of suitable peptide antigens and provide advice on any synthesis aspects if you wish to provide your own sequence for synthesis. Antigenic sections will be selected and the final peptide will be conjugated to a carrier protein to improve immunogenicity. Other possibilities are for the antigen to be internally sourced by AltaBioscience or supplied by the client.
Phase 2: Immunisation (7-14 weeks)
We will immunise the antigen into a batch of 4 BALB/C mice, injecting initially three times over five weeks and take serum samples on day 45 for assay. ELISA assays will be performed as part of the service, using the immunised antigen. Serum samples (20-40ul) can also be despatched to the client for verification of specificity in further assays if required. If suitable titres are achieved, we will proceed to fusion. If poor responses are obtained, we will re-boost the animals (up to an additional 2 times) and take further test sample(s).
No work can begin until Ethical Approval has been granted. The estimated turnaround for this is 1-2 weeks from receipt of the proposal. We will only proceed to the fusion stage if satisfactory titres are achieved. If suitable titres are not achieved, the client has the option to terminate the programme at this stage, incurring no additional costs.
Phase 3: Fusion (2-4 weeks)
The ‘fusion’ cell culture stages include myeloma growth and preparation, fusion (using spleens from the two best-responding mice), assay by ELISA of all colonies (20×96 well plates), cell culture maintenance and cryopreservation of up to 20 best binders.
For the assay, we will screen all colonies against the immunised antigen. Screening plates can be shipped to the client for further assays on the understanding that the testing is time-sensitive.
Phase 4: Limiting Dilution Cloning (4-6 weeks)
In order to ensure that we have stable cell lines, candidates will be required to be placed through rounds of limiting dilution cloning. We charge this on a per cell line basis for each round of limiting dilution cloning (2-3 rounds of which might be required to ensure clarity).
ELISAs will be performed at each stage to assess the candidates, with results being provided at each stage. Plates can be provided for further testing by the client if required.
Phase 5: Production of Working Quantities of Antibody (3-4 weeks)
Scale Up of Cell Lines
Cell lines can be scaled to any volume depending on specific requirements. Our processes use roller bottle cultures which allow for greater expression levels in comparison to other methods.
We can scale up to cell lines into volumes of 500ml to 100 litres concurrently in either serum-supplemented or serum-free media, with the scope of producing higher quantities in batches if required.
Serum-free media, compared to serum-supplemented media, will ensure that the resultant purified mAb is homogeneous murine without any issues of contaminating with a bovine antibody which could co-purify when using serum-supplemented medium. Additionally, serum-free media tends to provide 25% greater antibody yield.

Custom Monoclonal Antibody Generation

The monoclonal antibody generation process

Services

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AltaBioscience Ltd

Custom Monoclonal Antibody Generation

The monoclonal antibody generation process

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