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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Nov 1.
Published in final edited form as: Curr Opin Chem Eng. 2013 Sep 25;2(4):405–415. doi: 10.1016/j.coche.2013.08.005

Back to the future: recombinant polyclonal antibody therapeutics

Xian-zhe Wang 1, Vincent W Coljee 2, Jennifer A Maynard 3
PMCID: PMC3892273  NIHMSID: NIHMS522114  PMID: 24443710

Abstract

Antibody therapeutics are one of the fastest growing classes of pharmaceuticals, with an annual US market over $20 billion, developed to treat a variety of diseases including cancer, auto-immune and infectious diseases. Most are currently administered as a single molecule to treat a single disease, however there is mounting evidence that cocktails of multiple antibodies, each with a unique binding specificity and protective mechanism, may improve clinical efficacy. Here, we review progress in the development of oligoclonal combinations of antibodies to treat disease, focusing on identification of synergistic antibodies. We then discuss the application of modern antibody engineering technologies to produce highly potent antibody preparations, including oligoclonal antibody cocktails and truly recombinant polyclonal antibodies. Specific examples illustrating the synergy conferred by multiple antibodies will be provided for diseases caused by botulinum toxin, cancer and immune thrombocytopenia. The bioprocessing and regulatory options for these preparations will be discussed.

1. Introduction

Antibodies now represent the largest fraction of the biologics market, currently >$20 billion annually, with 28 antibodies commercially available to treat cancer, inflammatory and infectious diseases [1]. Their appeal is due in large part to good safety profiles, clear development paths and robust manufacturing processes. Improvements in cell culture engineering have led to yields of >10 g/ L [2], while protein engineering has allowed tailoring of key characteristics such as ligand binding affinity, in vivo half-life and immunogenicity [3]. Nevertheless, engineering of a single antibody does not always result in improved clinical efficacy, as was seen with Motavizumab, a highly engineered Palivizumab variant with 70-fold improved affinity for the respiratory syncytial virus F protein that conferred no additional clinical benefit [4].

In contrast to therapeutics, the native immune response does not generate a single antibody in response to disease, but instead a complex polyclonal response, comprised of multiple antibodies binding multiple epitopes with the ability to mediate a variety of effector functions. This begs the question, if the natural response is not monoclonal, why are our therapies?

Polyclonal anti-serum was first used as an immunotherapy in 1891 by Emil von Behring and Shibasaburo Kitasato and is still used to treat numerous diseases, including those caused by viruses, venoms and toxins. Targeting multiple epitopes offers broad strain protection and, unlike monotherapies, is less likely to provide selective pressure for escape mutants already present in the population [5]

Development of resistance to hyperimmune immunoglobulin by a previously sensitive pathogen has, to our knowledge, never been described, while escape variants to individual antibodies are readily generated in lab settings [6]. As blood-derived products, intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) have limited availability, carry the risk of blood-borne disease transmission and batch-to-batch variability [5]. More critically, even in high-titer immunoglobulin preparations isolated from immunized volunteers, only a small fraction of antibodies bind the target of interest and of these, only a fraction will exert the desired effect (Figure 1). This results in a low specific activity and relatively high doses to observe a clinical effect.

Figure 1. Polyclonal antibody therapeutics.

Figure 1

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A, While a traditional IVIG product contains a large number of antibodies binding a variety of antigens, only a fraction bind the antigen of interest (e.g., a bacterial toxin) and of those, only a fraction are clinically relevant protective antibodies (pAb, e.g., those that competitively inhibit a toxin-receptor interaction, block toxin endocytosis or catalysis). IVIG thus requires large doses for efficacy. B, Multi-specific antibodies yield a single molecular entity able to bind two distinct epitopes, thereby combining the ease of monoclonal antibody manufacturing with broader antigen specificity. C, Oligoclonal antibody cocktails are a combination of several monoclonal antibodies, each grown, purified and characterized in parallel before combining. D, Recombinant polyclonal antibodies are comprised of multiple (two to 26) molecular entities, each binding clinically relevant epitopes. These are produced and purified en masse from a single cell line (Crucell/ Merus) or a polyclonal master cell bank (Symphogen).

In recent years, evidence has accumulated supporting the idea that mixtures of antibodies binding multiple non-overlapping epitopes combine the benefits of an engineered monoclonal antibody with the broad-spectrum activity of a polyclonal therapeutic. Moreover, since the component antibodies can be produced individually, they can be selected on the basis of affinity, epitope specificity and protective mechanism to ensure that each member of the mixture contributes to the overall pharmacological effect. Here, we review recent progress towards development of oligoclonal antibody cocktails and truly recombinant polyclonal antibody therapeutics, including manufacturing and regulatory approaches.

2. Oligoclonal antibody cocktails to treat cancer

In the simplest case, monoclonal antibodies already approved for use in humans are being tested in new combinations with other approved or investigational monoclonal antibodies (Table 1) [7]. For instance, disregulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is involved in many cancers. Two approved anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies (Cetuximab and Panitumumab) bind EGFR domain III, blocking ligand-receptor activation and downstream signaling. Recent studies have demonstrated that combinations of antibodies binding non-overlapping epitopes are more effective than a single antibody at inhibiting tumor growth by triggering EGFR internalization and degradation [8]. Antibody combinations may also access novel mechanisms, such as complement-dependent cytotoxicity and potentiate otherwise non-protective antibodies [9]. A recently approved biclonal combination consisting of the monoclonal antibodies Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab, which target different epitopes on the HER-2 growth factor receptor, was effective in reducing progression rates in breast cancer patients who had shown progression with Trastuzumab treatment alone [10, 11]. In a remarkable feat of protein engineering, a single antibody binding site was engineered to bind both VEGF and HER2 with high affinity (Kds of 3 and 0.2 nM, respectively) and enhanced in vivo efficacy, creating a new type of bispecific antibody in which each binding site can bind one of two distinct antigens [12].

Table 1.

Oligoclonal and polyclonal antibody therapeutics in development

Name Disease Anti bodies Developer Clinical phase Reference
Antibody cocktails: combining approved drug products
Pertuzumab (anti-HER2) + Trastuzumab (anti-HER2) + chemotherapy First-line treatment of HER2+ metastatic breast cancer 2 Genentech/Roche Approved 2012 NCT01120184, NCT00567190 [10, 11]
Epratuzumab (anti-CD22) + Rituximab (anti-CD20) + chemotherapy Diffuse large B cell lymphoma 2 North Central Cancer Treatment Group II complete NCT00301821 [81]
Veltuzumab (anti-CD20) + Epratuzumab (anti-CD22) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 2 Immunomedics I/II NCT01279707
Veltuzumab (anti-CD20) + Milatuzumab (anti -CD74) B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 2 Immunomedics I/II (suspended) NCT00989586
4E10 + 2F5 + 2G12 Gp120+ gp41 on HIV 3 Rockefeller University I/ II NCT00219986 [32]
Antibody cocktails: new drug product
Sym 004 (non-overlapping epitopes on EGFR domain III) Squamous cell cancer of the head and neck, solid tumors 2 Symphogen, Merck KGaA Phase II NCT01417936, NCT01117428 [13]
XTL-001 (HepeX-B) Hepatitis B virus 2 Cubist Phase IIb terminated [30]
XOMA 3AB Botulinum toxin A 3 Xoma/ UCSF Phase I [20] www.xoma.com
MM-151 Non-overlapping epitopes on EGFR 3 Adimab Phase I www.adimab.com
-- H5N1 influenza 2 -- Preclinical [82]
-- Anthrax toxin (PA +LF) 2 -- Preclinical [83]
Recombinant polyclonal antibodies
Rozrolimupab (Sym001; anti-RhD) Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) 25 Symphogen II completed NCT00718692 [40]
CL184 Rabies virus glycoprotein 2 Crucell Holland BV/ Sanofi II (fast-track) NCT01228383, [26, 27]
Sym013 EGFR, HER2, HER3 6 Symphogen Phase I [84]
Sym002 Smallpox (vaccinia) 26 Symphogen Preclinical [42]
-- Methicillin-resistant S. aureus 5 Excelimmune Preclinical [44]
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To create the novel anti-EGFR cocktail Sym004, Pedersen et al. [13, 14] systematically tested combinations of two or three antibodies from a pool of 88 murine anti-EGFR antibodies for tumor inhibition activity. The most potent mixture, a 1:1 combination of antibodies 992 and 1024, showed maximal tumor inhibition, which correlated with EGFR down-regulation. The antibodies bind non-overlapping epitopes on EGFR domain III; indeed antibody 992 exhibited synergistic growth inhibition with all antibodies tested that bind non-overlapping epitopes. Suggesting this may be a common strategy, Spangler et al. examined pairwise combinations of six murine anti-EGFR antibodies, with the pair most potently reducing surface EGFR levels binding non-overlapping domain III epitopes, leading to reduced receptor recycling [15]. Treatment with 50mg/kg of Sym004 led to complete tumor regression in all mice, while Cetuximab alone or the individual antibodies exhibited only partial suppression. Sym004 performed well in pre-clinical studies and is currently in Phase II trials [16].

3. Oligoclonal antibody cocktails to treat infectious diseases

Development of antibody therapeutics to treat infectious diseases has lagged behind those for cancer, with only a single monoclonal antibody available (Palivizumab, MedImmune), in part due to the difficulties associated with multiple antigens and naturally occurring strain variation. These therapeutics may be more viable as combinations of antibodies binding potently neutralizing epitopes and triggering appropriate effector functions. Since polyclonal antibodies were first used to treat toxin-mediated diseases, early efforts to deconvolute the polyclonal response into a mixture of specific monoclonal antibodies centered on these pathogens. One study showed that antibodies elicited by murine immunization bound 20 distinct epitopes on the tetanus toxoid heavy chain [17], while in humans 17 unique epitopes were observed [18]. Quaternary combinations of the murine antibodies were 200-fold more protective in a mouse model than the individual antibodies [17]. In another study, two human anti-tetanus toxin antibodies provided similar protection as a polyclonal preparation at >100-fold lower dose (0.7 mg versus 100 mgs) [19].

Similar studies with botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A) showed that while no single antibody significantly neutralized the toxin, a combination of three antibodies binding non-overlapping epitopes on the heavy chain exhibited a potency 90 times greater than human hyperimmune globulin and 20,000-fold greater than any single antibody [20]. Analysis of the detailed pharmacokinetics of BoNT/A in the presence of a similar set of antibodies identified therapeutic windows for passive immunization post-intoxication [21]. The antibodies are thought to block receptor binding and toxin internalization, followed by Fc-dependent hepatic clearance of antibody-toxin complexes [22]. Engineered, human versions of these antibodies are in development as Xoma 3AB, an equimolar mixture of three antibodies, which is over 500-times more potent in mouse potency tests than the equine IVIG. While this product can treat only one of the seven BoNT serotypes (encompassing sub-types A1, A2 and A3) [22], analogous cocktails are in development for other serotypes. In another protein engineering feat, individual antibodies have been engineered to bind the same epitope as presented by multiple sub-types or even multiple serotypes with high affinity and specificity and could potentially be combined to create a single cocktail with broaden strain coverage [23, 24].

A second cocktail in development neutralizes rabies virus, for which high titer human or equine polyclonal immunoglobulin remains the standard of care. Crucell Holland BV identified two human antibodies, CR57 and CR4098 from immunized humans that bind non-overlapping epitopes on the rabies glycoprotein with high affinity (2.4 and 4.5 nM, respectively) [25]. While most antibodies neutralizing rabies virus bind conformational epitopes in antigenic site II, CR57 binds a linear epitope in site I (residues 226–231) and CR4098 binds a conformational epitope within site III. Each monoclonal antibody alone was shown to neutralize 24 of 26 street isolates, similar to rabies IVIG. However, the binary combination neutralized all 26 strains and was at least as potent as IVIG in a hamster model [26]. Critically, escape variants with mutations in the CR57 epitope are neutralized by CR4098 and vice versa, while in vitro selection for variants escaping both antibodies was unsuccessful [6]. This binary cocktail is safe in humans [27], can be administered in conjunction with the rabies vaccine and is now in Phase II clinical trials as CL184.

Additional antibody cocktails are in development to treat infectious diseases, although their effectiveness has yet to be demonstrated in clinical trials (Table 1). Medarex has recently presented promising clinical data showing that a biclonal therapeutic targeting C. difficile toxins A and B was able to lower the incidence of recurrence in patients when administered in combination with vancomycin or metronidazole [28]. Crucell is pursuing a biclonal cocktail against SARS coronavirus [29]. Preclinical data has also been presented demonstrating the effectiveness of biclonals against Hepatitis C virus [30, 31] in vitro and in animal models. A triclonal mixture of broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibodies binding the fusogenic gp120 (2G12) and conformational epitopes within the membrane proximal region of gp41 (4E10, 2F5) has been assessed in a Phase II trial, with six of fourteen volunteers showing partial or complete control of viremia [32, 33]. A binary mixture of antibodies binding the non-overlapping CD4 binding site (VRC01) and a glycan-dependent epitope in the V1V2 region of the viral spike trimer (PG9) demonstrated neutralization of 98% of 208 HIV strains in vitro 34].

3. Recombinant polyclonal antibodies

Biclonal and triclonal antibodies function synergistically to neutralize a target pathogen and can target more than one epitope, yet they are still vulnerable to mutations of their target epitopes. Jim Marks and his group at UCSF have observed, targeting BoNT/A, that a minimum of three antibodies is required for effective neutralization, and that through point mutation or epitope shift of any of these three antibodies could cause the antibody cocktail to become ineffective. These events are less likely to occur for this particular target antigen but could be a hazard for more mutable pathogens [20]. Thus, in many cases more complex polyclonal mixtures may be required to confer adequate protection. While not all activities may be relevant for each clinical case, in aggregate the drug would enable protection against a complex disease, while reducing the potential immunogenicity of each individual component [35].

The rhesus D antigen (RhD) was selected for development as Sym001 (Rozrolimumpab), the first in class recombinant polyclonal therapeutic by Symphogen. Currently, plasma-derived polyclonal antibodies with a high titer against the rhesus D antigen (RhIG) antigen are standard care to treat immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), to prevent maternal RhD-sensitization when an RhD− woman carries an RhD+ fetus and to treat hemolytic disease in the newborn. In ITP, platelets are opsonized by auto-antibodies and destroyed by Fc-mediated phagocytosis. IVIG and RhIG are speculated to protect against ITP by opsonizing red blood cells, which then bind macrophage Fc-RIIIa receptors, outcompeting antibody-bound platelets. This notion is supported by evidence that red blood cell clearance correlates with anti-RhD coverage [36]. Since RhIG is currently purified from the serum of immunized male volunteers, experiences periodic supply shortages and recognizes a single antigen, it has been the target of efforts to develop recombinant antibody therapies.

Analysis of the RhD-responsive antibody repertoire in alloimmunized women revealed considerable conservation, including a strong preference for the VH 3–33 gene segment among eight women analyzed, with five sharing identical VDJ usage and CDR H3-length [37]. In spite of this apparent conservation, efficacious monoclonal antibodies or cocktails have yet to be identified. Godeau et al observed a transient response in one of seven patients at 47–95 µg/ kg dosages, with further dose increases restricted by toxicity [38]. A biclonal mixture of the Brad5 and Brad3 antibodies, binding the same loop 6/7 epitope and using IgG1 and IgG3 isotypes respectively, showed efficacy similar to RhIG but only at a three-fold higher dose [36]. A careful analysis of protection conferred by combinations of six antibodies, suggested that the specific epitope recognized and antibody isotype are key variables [39].

An explanation for RhIG but not monoclonal efficacy at 50–75 µg/kg doses may be the antigenic nature of RhD: the epitopes are small and overlapping with >100 observed mutations. Thus, subtle epitope specificity may be required to efficiently engage RhD and Fc-RIIIa simultaneously, with different individuals having different requirements. To provide coverage for these possibilities, Sym001 was designed as a combination of 25 individual anti-RhD antibodies, binding 99% of observed RhD variants. These antibodies were derived from the lymphocytes of eight RhD− women with high anti-RhD titers [37]. The product was recently tested in a Phase I/II dose-escalation study from 75 to 300 µg/ kg with 61 subjects. Overall, 34% (21 patients) showed response at day 7, while at the 300 µg/kg dose, 62% (8 of 13) responded. This is a similar response rate as seen with RhIG, but requires an approximately five-fold dose increase [40].

Following the trail-blazing path led by Sym001, several additional recombinant polyclonal therapeutics are in development. Symphogen has performed preclinical tests on a 26-antibody recombinant polyclonal against smallpox (Vaccinia). After characterization of the antibody repertoire in ten immunized individuals, an antibody combination was identified which mirrors the diversity and specificity of the human response with affinities ranging from 10 – 0.1 nM [41]. While enriched immunoglobulin required 30 mg to protect mice, a recombinant mixture recognizing mature and enveloped virions protected at 100 µg and a mixture only recognizing enveloped virions protected at 30 µg [42]. Importantly, the antibodies were not characterized beyond their ability to bind virus. Symphogen has an additional Phase I trial on-going with Sym013, a mixture of six antibodies recognizing all three EGFR variants (EGFR, HER1, HER2; Table 1).

Excelimmune employed a set of five human antibodies recognizing S. aureus including methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA) strains, in in vivo studies. These showed protection exceeding that conferred by any monoclonal antibody, fully protecting mice against a lethal dose of bacteria at a 1 mg/kg dose [43, 44]. Of these five antibodies, only a single antibody binds an identified antigen, while the others bind either cell surface or soluble proteins produced. Many S. aureus toxins are encoded by phages, resulting in considerable diversity between strains. When a case of acute sepsis presents, the optimal clinical outcome may be obtained by treatment with a single therapeutic with broad strain coverage, rather than first identifying the specific strain before treating with a more specialized drug.

Finally, an excellent test case for recombinant polyclonal antibody therapy may be disease caused by Bordetellae, primarily B. pertussis. Bordetellae genomic sequences are highly conserved, with over 20 known virulence factors and, critically, no single serological correlate of protection. Currently available acellular vaccines include between two and five antigens known to induce strong humoral immune responses. In spite of broad vaccine coverage, disease persists and incidence has increased dramatically in recent years, with high infant morbidity and mortality rates. However, treatment with high-titer anti-pertussis toxin IVIG has been shown to reverse disease symptoms up to seven days after infection in mice [45] and in Phase II trials with infants, shown to reduce the number of whoops [46–48]. There are also several examples in the literature of synergistic antibody combinations with potencies surpassing that of polyclonal antisera in mice [49]. Since the key antigens are well-characterized with, in most cases, neutralizing antibodies and protective epitopes already identified [49–51], antibodies could be rationally combined to identify a potently protective cocktail. The antibodies could be individually engineered for traits likely to correlate with protection, including high affinity, recognition of all circulating clinical strains and their protective mechanisms characterized [50, 52].

4. Mining the natural polyclonal repertoire

A key question during development of recombinant cocktails or polyclonal antibody therapeutics is which antibodies should be combined? What minimal collection will be synergistic and potently protective yet robust against antigenic variation? The answer may lie in defining antibody repertoires responding to the different epitopes present on an antigen; from this comprehensive collection, protective antibodies binding different epitopes can be selected for further characterization and engineering. Older work used phage libraries generated from donor PBMCs, but this approach suffers from loss of native light-heavy chain pairing and heterologous expression constraints [53]. Exciting newer technologies have been developed to isolate and sequence the variable regions present in antigen-specific plasmablasts [54–57], which correlate with serum antibodies observed proteomically [58, 59].

The overall serum response recognizing a single antigen appears to be oligoclonal with a discrete number of clades resulting from an initial VDJ recombination event followed by somatic hypermutation. In the circulating repertoire, multiple clade members - not just highest affinity or most highly mutated - persist, perhaps to provide the plasticity to respond to antigenic variants [60]. Antibodies present in the circulating repertoire exhibit affinities between 10 – 0.1 nM [61, 62], consistent with expectations based on the limits of B cell receptor signaling [63] and competition for limited antigen [64]. While the naïve/germline repertoire can encode antibodies with high affinity for large, antigenically complex antigens, within a clade 10–100-fold increases in affinity are observed as the genes are progressively altered via somatic hypermutation [60]. An analysis of plasma cells after tetanus toxin immunization observed 32 and 41 unique VH and VL rearrangements, respectively, while one donor immunized with the 2003 influenza vaccine yielded 17 unique VH rearrangements; overall the affinities ranged from 250 to 0.3 nM [65].

A single antigen can present multiple antigenic sites, which include neutralizing and non-neutralizing, immunodominant and weakly immunogenic epitopes. The native polyclonal response will include antibodies recognizing all of these, including “decoy” epitopes that are highly immunogenic and dominate the polyclonal response but are only weakly or non-protective (Figure 1). For instance, RhD appears to possess one major epitope, fortuitously recognized by high affinity germline antibodies [37], while the head domain of H1N1 influenza HA has five unique sites. The key advantage of recombinant polyclonal therapeutics is that it can be comprised exclusively of high affinity antibodies binding potently neutralizing epitopes with characterized protective mechanisms to not just recapitulate but exceed the potency of the natural response.

5. Manufacture of oligoclonal antibodies

The manufacture of individual monoclonal antibodies is well-developed, primarily using stably transfected CHO cells in fed-batch culture, followed by downstream purification and product characterization according to standards set by CDER at the FDA [66]. These steps typically involve protein A affinity and size exclusion chromatography followed by analyses of structural integrity (SDS-PAGE, peptide mapping, free sulfhydryl and mono- and oligosaccharide analyses). A simple approach to generation of antibody cocktails, especially those which have already received approval as a monoclonal therapeutic, is to process the molecules in parallel, combining them after purification or at the point of administration (Figure 2) [32]. This may be favored from a regulatory perspective, considering the FDA combination drug rule discussed below.

Figure 2. Manufacturing approaches for polyclonal antibody therapeutics.

Figure 2

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A, Monoclonal or bi-specific antibodies are derived from a single cell line, which is expanded and grown in a bioreactor, followed by protein A and size exclusion chromatographic steps. B, Oligoclonal cocktails are comprised of multiple antibodies (typically two to three) that are expressed and purified in parallel before combining to yield the final product. C, Recombinant polyclonal antibodies are comprised of two to 26 unique molecular entities. These can be produced from a mixture of cell lines, each expressing a single heavy and light chain, in a single bioreactor and purified en masse. Alternatively, these can be produced from a single master cell line stably expressing a single light chain and up to 5 heavy chains to produce a mixture of bi-specific and mono-specific antibodies. Chromatographic and binding assays ensure the presence and activity of each individual antibody in the final preparation.

Bi- and triclonal therapeutics comprised of novel antibodies are currently generated in a similar manner, with master cell banks prepared for each antibody, which are then expanded, expressed and purified separately before combining in defined ratios [32, 67]. Theoretically, bi-and triclonal mixtures are not complicated, thus manufacturing them as monoclonals avoids overhauling established manufacturing platforms with the main concern being undesirable interactions between the component antibodies upon combination. For instance, the XOMA 3AB anti-BoNT triclonal cocktail is produced in this way, with the presence and integrity of each component antibody monitored by HPLC chromatography (hydrophobic interaction and reverse phase) and ELISA, using toxin domains specifically engineered to bind a single antibody in the mixture [67]. This cocktail can be stored at 2–8 °C for two years and is robust to lyophilization, retaining full-antigen-reactivity after five months at 50 °C [68]. However, as the number of unique molecules increases above two or three, the manufacturing costs rise precipitously, since each molecule sequentially monopolizes facilities and requires individual characterization. Moreover, as each batch is subject to failure, producing multiple small batches eliminates the savings achieved by economies of scale in larger recombinant protein production facilities [69] (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Comparison of costs associated with manufacturing and development of antibody combinations.

Figure 3

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Costs are fixed for production of a single monoclonal or bispecific antibody, since just one master cell line, manufacturing process and clinical trial is required. In contrast, for oligoclonal cocktails, manufacturing costs increase linearly with the number of unique antibodies processed in parallel, while regulatory costs increase exponentially since all pairwise combinations must be assessed for safety. For a recombinant polyclonal therapeutic, the initial manufacturing and regulatory costs are high to establish the process, but increase incrementally with further increases in molecular complexity [80].

6. Manufacture of recombinant polyclonal antibodies

To constrain costs, strategies have been developed to produce recombinant polyclonal antibodies in a single pot, several of which have subsequently entered clinical trials. This process-as-product strategy bypasses the manufacturing hurdles associated with individual antibody production but introduces new challenges to demonstrate reproducible cell growth, genomic stability, constant antibody ratios and integrity of the component antibodies. Merus solved this by generating Oligoclonics™, a single PER.C6® stable cell line expressing one light common chain and three heavy chains, producing a consistent antibody mixture with three unique binding sites at 15–20 pg/ cell/ day for up to 67 cell divisions [70]. The process works since in many cases, light chains are promiscuous, forming functional binding sites with a variety of heavy chains [18]. In this case, ligand-specific heavy chains were selected from a human Fab phage library containing a single rearranged light chain, although Merus has now developed a transgenic mouse with a single human light chain and diverse human heavy chains to further develop the technology [71].

In contrast, three approaches have been explored to combine stable cell lines to create a polyclonal master cell bank. Here, the challenge of consistent growth and antibody production rates is magnified, since small rate differences can lead to large differences in the final antibody mixture. One approach, Sympress I, relies on site-specific flp recombinase to introduce an antibody expression cassette into a single, transcriptionally permissive site in the genome, favoring consistent growth and expression [72]. Equal numbers of 25 unique cell lines were combined to yield the Sym001 working cell bank, with the resulting polyclonal antibody mixture showing similar composition as measured by the ion exchange profile and activity in four 400 L bioreactor lots. This consistency was achieved in spite of up to 10-fold different expression levels. In addition to the standard analyses used to characterize monoclonal antibodies, a robust product-specific liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method was developed to unambiguously quantify antibody ratios based on the light chain [73, 74]. This consistency allowed Symphogen to carry Sym001 through the clinical trials approval process as a single therapeutic entity [40].

A second approach, Sympress II, randomly integrates antibody genes into the DHFR−/− CHO DG44 cell line. After gene amplification with methotrexate, selected high expressing clones were expanded and combined to form a polyclonal master cell bank. This process has been evaluated with two groups of six antibodies each, recognizing vaccinia and respiratory syncytial virus. The polyclonal preparation produced ~13 pg/cell/day with stable antibody compositions as assessed by ion exchange chromatography over ~27 cell generations [75]. In a third approach, the adeno-associated virus rep protein mediates stable integration of antibody genes into HEK cells. While early, this appears to be rapid yet provides control over the final antibody ratios. Mixtures of five lines have shown consistent expression levels and stable antibody ratios for up to 100 days [76].

7. Regulatory approval routes for oligoclonal and recombinant polyclonal antibodies

Polyclonal immunoglobulin therapy has been safely used to treat human disease for decades, with clinical trials on-going for new indications (Table 1). Their regulation under CBER as a blood-derived product has been extensively described, with activity standards established for antigen-enriched IVIG [5]. Since they are derived from human volunteers or equine sources, they are subject to limitations in terms of scalability and supply shortfalls. As individual antibodies are never isolated, the preparation is characterized for bulk activity, necessarily including many antibodies which are inert and do not bind antigens relevant to the disease (Figure 1).

Monoclonal antibody cocktails may address IVIG supply issues as well as provide novel drugs for other diseases with negligible risk for transmissible diseases. Given that these are recombinant biologics, they are likely to fall under the regulations made by CDER, including the combination drug rule, Title 21 in the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR 3.2), which indicates that each component be assessed for safety and efficacy individually as well as in combination [66]. Thus, for a mixture of two antibodies, three clinical trials may be required (antibody 1, antibody 2 and the binary combination). This quickly becomes cost-prohibitive as the number of antibodies increases, unless only previously approved antibodies are considered, such as an anti-HER2 and anti-EGFR combination. Additionally, consistent production and the lack of lot-to-lot variability must be ensured. For antibody cocktails that are combined post-purification, each antibody in the mixture must adhere to the same product quality and consistency requirements as for a single monoclonal. Given that most monoclonals are produced in CHO cells, with glycosylation variation and other micro-heterogeneities affecting efficacy and long in vivo half-lives, the regulatory requirements are strict [77]. For instance, HepeX-B, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies against hepatitis B, or HBV, reported positive results of a Phase IIb study but was terminated, reportedly due to operational and economic challenges surrounding design of a Phase III trial [78].

Which rules apply to recombinant polyclonal antibodies produced in a single bioreactor? It depends on perspective: are recombinant polyclonals merely antibody cocktails produced in a single bioreactor? If so, then each component would be expected to be well-characterized and contribute to efficacy. If it is possible to produce each component individually, they can be considered a monoclonal antibody derivative regulated by CDER. Alternatively, are recombinant polyclonals a highly potent, less complex variant of IVIG? In this case, not all individual antibodies would be expected to contribute to the pharmacological effect, as long as the product is efficacious, safe and reproducibly manufactured. For instance, Symphogen’s lead anti-RhD product Sym 001 includes 25 unique molecular entities. Phase II trials demonstrated similar activity for Sym001 at much lower doses than anti-RhesusD IVIG [40]. The key question is, are all 25 antibodies are essential [79]? Whether 25, 24, or only three antibodies provide the pharmacological effect is relevant primarily for its effects on manufacturing complexity and dose. Fro infectious diseases, the more complex the polyclonal, the less important any single antibody becomes and the smaller the chance that a point mutation or combination of point mutations will render an organism completely resistant.

8. Conclusions

Monoclonal antibodies have established themselves as a versatile platform to treat many diseases, but a single antibody binding a single epitope is inherently limited, even when engineered for high ligand binding affinity, optimal pharmacokinetics and effector functions. An exciting new approach for the next generation of antibody therapeutics is mixtures of individual antibodies, selected to capitalize on functional synergy and inhibit generation of escape variants. Advances in antibody repertoire characterization are facilitating deconvolution of the polyclonal immune response to a minimal set of antibodies recognizing complementary epitopes with characterized mechanisms of protection and will prove key to selecting antibodies for inclusion in these cocktails. Similarly, transformative new technologies are emerging in terms of highly polyclonal recombinant antibody therapeutics, led by the pioneering anti-RhD product, Sym001. Once the first truly polyclonal recombinant antibody therapeutic enters the market, establishing a clear regulatory path and validated manufacturing processes, we expect to see many more follow.

Highlights.

  • immune responses invoke antibodies binding many epitopes & employing many mechanisms

  • antibody cocktails are more potent, less immunogenic, & reduce escape variant risk

  • recombinant polyclonal antibody therapeutics combine up to 26 unique antibodies

  • immune repertoire characterization facilitates selection of synergistic antibodies

  • novel manufacturing and regulatory processes make recombinant polyclonals possible

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (#GM095638), the McMakin family and the Welch Foundation (F-1767) to JAM.

Footnotes

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