Bio-Rad offers 15 biosimilar antibodies for research use to complement our most popular anti-biotherapeutic antibodies.

Biosimilar Antibodies for Research Use

Biosimilar Antibodies for Research Use

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Studying the biological effects of a drug or doing proof of concept ligand binding assay development for large molecule biotherapeutics, requires a source of the drug, for instance, for use in cell based assays or as a calibration standard in a pharmacokinetic (PK) assay. However, it can be challenging to obtain original pharmaceutical grade biotherapeutic drugs (also known as reference products) for research use, rather than a clinical application.

Bio-Rad’s non-therapeutic biosimilar antibodies for research use avoid the need to source a therapeutic product, which can be expensive and only available in a larger quantity than needed. They enable fast and inexpensive assay development.

Table 1. Biosimilar research antibodies

Biotherapeutic Antibody

Antibody Specificity

Bio-Rad Biosimilar (Cat. #)

Supporting Anti-Drug Antibodies

Adalimumab

Human Anti-TNF alpha Antibody

MCA6141

Anti-Adalimumab Antibodies

Alemtuzumab

Human Anti-CD52 Antibody

MCA6101

Anti-Alemtuzumab Antibodies

Bevacizumab

Human Anti-VEGF Antibody

MCA6089

Anti-Bevacizumab Antibodies

Brentuximab

Human Anti-CD30 Antibody

MCA6149

Anti-Brentuximab vedotin Antibodies

Canakinumab

Human Anti-Interleukin-1 Beta Antibody 

MCA6405

 

Cetuximab

Human Anti-EGFR Antibody

MCA6102

Anti-Cetuximab Antibodies

Eculizumab

Human Anti-C5 Antibody

MCA6145

Anti-Eculizumab Antibodies 

Infliximab

Human Anti-TNF alpha Antibody

MCA6090

Anti-Infliximab Antibodies

Natalizumab

Anti-Integrin Alpha 4 Antibody

MCA6104

Anti-Natalizumab Antibodies

Omalizumab

Human Anti-IgE Antibody

MCA6105

Anti-Omalizumab Antibodies

Rituximab

Human Anti-CD20 Antibody

MCA6091

Anti-Rituximab Antibodies

Satumomab

Mouse Anti-TAG 72 Antibody

MCA6093

 

Tocilizumab

Human Anti-IL6R Antibody

MCA6106

Anti-Tocilizumab Antibodies

Trastuzumab

Human Anti-ErbB2 Antibody

MCA6092

Anti-Trastuzumab Antibodies

Each biosimilar research antibody has been produced using a recombinant platform and incorporates the publicly available sequence of the variable region (specificity) of the original monoclonal antibody drug. These biosimilar products are supplied in a research grade format, i.e. in PBS buffer with preservative; they are not manufactured or formulated in the same way as the therapeutic reference product. A comparison of these antibodies with their respective therapeutic reference products was carried out to show biosimilarity, Figures 1 and 2.

Purity and Monodispersity

All of our biosimilar research antibodies show comparable purity and monodispersity with the reference product. Purity was measured by band quantification of a Coomassie stained SDS-PAGE gel; monodispersity was compared using size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Example data for Anti-TNF alpha Antibody and adalimumab are shown in Figure 1. Detailed comparison data for each antibody with its reference product is available on the respective product information page accessed via the link in Table 1.

Fig. 1a. Anti-TNF alpha Antibody (MCA6141) and adalimumab (therapeutic reference product) were denatured and analyzed under reducing (R) and non-reducing (NR) conditions.

Fig. 1a. Anti-TNF alpha Antibody (MCA6141?) and adalimumab (therapeutic reference product) were denatured and analyzed under reducing (R) and non-reducing (NR) conditions. Bands were visualized using Coomassie staining. Full IgG (H2L2), heavy (H) and light chains (L) are indicated.

Fig. 1b. SEC of Anti-TNF alpha Antibody (MCA6088) and adalimumab was performed on an analytical HPLC instrument.

Fig. 1b. SEC of adalimumab (top) and Anti-TNF alpha Antibody (MCA6141, bottom) was performed on an analytical HPLC instrument. Monomer peaks (H2L2), calculated relative monomer portion and aggregates are shown.


Performance in Pharmacokinetic (PK) Bridging ELISA

Fig. 2a. Schematic image of PK Bridging ELISA.

Fig. 2a. Schematic image of PK Bridging ELISA. Anti-idiotypic capture antibody, Fab format (purple); monoclonal antibody, reference product or research biosimilar (gold); anti-idiotypic detection antibody, Ig format (blue), labeled with HRP.

Fig. 2b. Adalimumab bridging ELISA for PK assay development.

Fig. 2b. Adalimumab bridging ELISA for PK assay development.


In Figure 2b, a microtiter plate was coated overnight with Human Anti-Adalimumab Antibody clone AbD18654 (HCA202) at a concentration of 1 µg/ml. After washing and blocking with PBST + 5% BSA, 10% human serum was added spiked with increasing concentrations of adalimumab (therapeutic reference product; red squares) or Human Anti-TNF alpha Antibody (MCA6141, adalimumab biosimilar research grade; black circles). Detection was performed using HRP conjugated Human Anti-Adalimumab Antibody, clone AbD18654_hIgG1 (HCA203) at a concentration of 2 µg/ml in HISPEC Assay Diluent (BUF049A) and QuantaBlu Fluorogenic Peroxidase Substrate. Data are shown as the mean of three measurements. HRP conjugation of the antibody used in this assay was performed using a LYNX Rapid HRP Antibody Conjugation Kit® (LNK001P-LNK006P).

For in vitro research purposes only. Research grade biosimilar. Not for use in therapeutic or diagnostic procedures for humans or animals.


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