Non‑permanent antibody complexes to deliver medicines directly to diseased cells
Evaluation of Non-covalent Antibody Drug Complexes (ADCx) for Targeted Drug Delivery
A new approach links drugs to antibodies without permanent chemical bonds so people with autoimmune diseases might get therapies that reach target cells more safely and cause fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247049 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This approach binds a drug to an antibody outside the body, then uses a second targeting molecule to guide that complex to the specific cell type that needs treatment. By avoiding permanent chemical linkers, the team hopes to stop drugs from being released in the wrong place and reduce off-target toxicities. The laboratory has a lead version using a chemotherapy payload (MMAE) and HER2 targeting as a proof of concept, and they use pharmacokinetic computer models to refine antibody design. Work focuses on optimizing how long the complex circulates and how well it delivers drug to the intended cells before broader testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with autoimmune diseases who need targeted immunomodulatory treatment and who have had limited benefit or troublesome side effects from current systemic therapies would be the likely candidates for future trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not treated by cell-targeted therapies or who are well controlled on existing standard treatments are unlikely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let medicines hit disease-causing cells more precisely, lowering side effects and allowing safer, more effective treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Traditional antibody–drug conjugates have produced some approved drugs (mainly in cancer) but often face toxicity and high failure rates, and the non-covalent ADCx approach is a novel strategy not yet widely tested in patients.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bordeau, Brandon — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Bordeau, Brandon
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.