The research project led by IOME Bio focused on developing antibodies targeting Repulsive Guidance Molecule b (RGMb), a novel co-inhibitory pathway in T cells, to enhance anti-tumor immunity.

Mabqi conducted the discovery of fully human antibodies using its proprietary HuscI2™ synthetic human library. Two monoclonal antibodies, 2C11 and 5C10, were developed using phage display technology, with high developability and functionality features. Prior to lead selection, the teams characterized the hits in human IgG1 format using various technics including ELISA, Flow cytometry and BLI. In vitro binding and blocking assays confirmed the 2 selected mAbs binded to human RGMb with high affinities of 1.4 nM and 0.72 nM, respectively.

Overall, this project unveils promising lead candidate for therapeutic use to overcome immune checkpoint inhibitor resistances, to be confirmed in the clinics.

Alexia Parmentier, a scientist on Mabqi’s antibody discovery team, is honored to have contributed to this groundbreaking project alongside Abdijapar Shamshiev (IOME Bio), and internationally renowned collaborators from Harvard Medical School.

The project exemplified a challenging yet highly rewarding collaboration, requiring the development of specialized assays and benefiting from very insightful scientific exchange

Meira, M., et al. (2024). Targeting RGMb interactions: Discovery and preclinical characterization of potent anti-RGMb antibodies blocking multiple ligand bindings. mAbs, 16(1). Read the article