Antibody Cages (AbCs) are a new class of biologic medicines that precisely orient antibodies in novel geometric configurations not found in nature. This new design space preserves the proven binding affinity properties of antibodies while allowing tuning of additional properties. For example, adjusting the geometry of the cages changes how they are distributed and retained in the body, and how they interact with targets.
Now, Archon Biosciences, a biotechnology company pioneering computationally designed AbCs to unlock therapeutic targets beyond the reach of existing modalities, announces its emergence from stealth with $20 million in seed financing.
AbCs are a completely novel biologic class composed of antibodies combined with a boundless set of AI-generated protein structures that have never existed in nature. Through precise control over structure, AbCs can achieve tunable target engagement along with delivery that can be directed towards and away from specific parts of the body, offering therapeutic potential.
This research was first described in a 2021 publication that appeared in Science titled, “Designed proteins assemble antibodies into modular nanocages.”
“There are many high-profile cases where we understand not only a target’s biology but also why past attempts to drug the target have failed in the clinic. These key disease levers are at our fingertips, but we lack the tools to safely and effectively engage them,” said James Lazarovits, PhD, co-founder and CEO. AbC technology “is designed to drug many of these challenging targets underlying diseases of paramount urgency and create better treatment options for patients. With the support of our investors, we have developed a proprietary protein design platform coupled with rapid in-house manufacturing and testing to revolutionize how biologics are developed.”
Archon’s platform leverages AI-driven advances in computational protein design that were recognized by the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their ability to create novel proteins with desired functions.
One of this year’s three laureates, David Baker, PhD, professor of biochemistry at the University of Washington and HHMI investigator, leads the Institute for Protein Design, where he co-invented the Archon platform alongside Lazarovits and George Ueda, PhD, co-founder and former UW Research Faculty. Ueda serves as Archon’s CTO.
Archon directly applies generative protein design to drug development by not only conceiving but readily manufacturing new molecular entities for preclinical investigation. AbC design combines off-the-shelf antibodies and computationally designed binding proteins that self-assemble into exquisitely precise and geometrically defined nanostructures. Based on their unique geometries, AbCs behave in the body and interact with their targets differently than conventional biologics, with greater control over functional properties such as target engagement and biodistribution.
During manufacturing, antibodies are incorporated into AbCs without the need to modify sequence or alter established production processes. As a result, AbC assembly is massively parallelizable, easily automated, and retains the industry-proven binding affinity and specificity of antibodies while enabling rapid exploration of a new geometric design and application space.
The financing was led by Madrona Ventures with participation from DUMAC, Sahsen Ventures, WRF Capital, Pack Ventures, Alexandria Venture Investments, and Cornucopian Capital.
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