Potent weapons for the oncology arsenal

Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) are monoclonal antibodies attached to biologically active drugs by chemical linkers with selectively labile bonds. By combining the unique targeting of monoclonal antibodies with the cancer killing ability of cytotoxic drugs, ADCs will permit sensitive discrimination between healthy and diseased tissue. Advances in coupling antibodies to cytotoxic drugs will permit greater control of drug pharmacokinetics and significantly improve delivery to target tissue. Potent new anticancer drugs can now be used to target cancers while minimizing exposure of healthy tissue. Promising clinical results will continue to drive clinical development of this therapeutic class. Manufacturing highly potent biopharmaceuticals presents a series of unique engineering and chemistry challenges that have resulted in Lonza designing and building a new dedicated manufacturing plant in Visp, Switzerland. By leveraging experience in biopharmaceuticals, small molecule drug process development and scale-up, this class of high potency biologicals can now be manufactured to support both clinical development and licensure.