BioCellChallenge launches delivery system for transporting antibodies into live cells
Tool for determining the therapeutic potential of antibodies
BioCellChallenge, a French biotechnology firm, has launched a delivery system called ImmunoCellin, which transports antibodies into live cells, even in the presence of additives. The company has recently filed a patent for this technology.
‘Until now, cellular biology research projects have made little use of antibody transport into live cells, largely because all the tools are not sufficiently effective to be used without a lot of preparation or re-engineering,’ said Dr Laurent Meunier, CEO of BioCellChallenge.
‘However, there is particular benefit in introducing therapeutic antibodies to target the intracellular proteins involved in certain diseases, particularly in certain cancers.’
Without a suitable nanocarrier, antibodies cannot cross the plasmic membrane of live cells unaided and reach their potential intracellular targets. ImmunoCellin delivers antibodies directly into live cells, without any particular advanced preparation.
This system would be effective in identifying new targets for future therapeutic treatments, the company says.
The reagent is simple to use: a few microlitres of the reagent are mixed with a few micrograms of antibody and this mixture is then added to the cells. No other preparation is required. The lipid-based formulation encapsulates the antibodies, facilitating their passage through the membrane.
ImmunoCellin delivers antibodies directly into live cells, without any particular advanced preparation
BioCellChallenge says ImmunoCellin is a much more potent protein function inhibitor than siRNA (small interfering RNA) and would be suitable for use in kinetic studies of intracellular protein localisation in response to different stimuli.
The company also says there is no covalent interaction between the transport system and the antibody. Once inside the cell, the system does not retain the antibody.
The company is interested in developing partnerships within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.
