NZ569405A - Anti-inflammatory domain antibody binding to TNF-alpha - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a recombinant domain antibody (dAb) which binds to human TNF-a, wherein the dAb has the sequence: DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQAIDSYLHWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYSAS NLETGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFILTISSLLPEDFATYVCQQVVWRPFTFGQGTKV EIKR. The antibody can be used to treat diseases characterized by human TNF-alpha activity.

Description

WO 2007/070948 PCT/AU2006/001940 1 Anti-inflammatory dAb FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to recombinant domain antibodies (dAbs) useful for human therapy. More particularly, the present invention relates to a domain antibody (dAb) which binds to 5 human TNF-a and its use in the treatment of disorders characterised by human TNF-a activity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) is a cytokine produced by numerous cell types, including monocytes and macrophages, that, has been implicated in mediating shock and 10 the pathophysiology of a variety of human diseases and disorders including sepsis, infections, autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection and graft-versus-host disease.

In an effort tc» counter the harmful effects mediated by human TNF-a, antibodies that bind to and neutralise human TNF-a have been sought as a means to inhibit TNF-u activity. Some of the earliest antibodies directed against human TNF-a were mouse monoclonal 15 antibodies secreted from hybridoma cell lines prepared from lymphocytes harvested from mice immunized with human TNF-a. Although such antibodies were effective in binding to and neutralising human TNF-a, their use in in vivo therapy has been limited by problems associated with the administration of mouse antibodies to humans, in particular, elieitation of an unwanted immune response against the mouse antibody in a human, referred to as 20 human anti-mouse antibody (HAMA) reactions.

In an attempt to overcome these problems, murine anti-human TNF-a antibodies have been genetically engineered to be more human-like. For example, human/mouse chimeric antibodies have been created in which antibody variable region sequences from the mouse genome are combined with antibody constant region sequences from the human genome. 25 The chimeric antibodies exhibit the binding characteristics of the parental mouse antibody, and the effector functions associated with the human constant region. Although these chimeric antibodies have been used in human therapy, they still retain some murine sequences and therefore still may elicit anti-chimeric antibody reactions in human recipients, particularly when administered for prolonged periods thus limiting their 30 therapeutic application. 2 Human monoclonal antibodies against human TNF-a have been developed using human hybridoma techniques. This approach, however, suffers from ethical, clinical and immunological limitations on immunization of human subjects.

IL has been postulated thai non-human prhnate antibodies will be tolerated in humans 5 because they are structurally similar to human antibodies (Ehrlich PH et al., Human and primate monoclonal antibodies for in vivo therapy. Clin Chem. 34:9 pg 1681-1688 (1988)). Furthermore, because human antibodies are non-immunogenie in Rhesus monkeys (Ehrich PH et al., Rhesus monkey responses to multiple injections of human monoclonal antibodies. Hybridoma 1987; 6:151-60), it is likely that the converse is also applicable and 10 primate antibodies will be non-immunogenic in humans.

Evolutionarily distant primates, such as New World primates, are not only sufficiently different from humans to allow antibodies against human antigens lobe generated, but are sufficiently similar to humans to have antibodies similar to human antibodies so that the host does not generate an anti-antibody immune response when such primate-derived 15 antibodies are introduced into a human. New World primates (infraorder- Platyrrhini) comprises at least 53 species commonly divided into two families, the CallUhricidae and. Cebidae. The CallUhricidae consist of marmosets and lamarins. The Cebidae includes the squirrel monkey, titi monkey, spider monkey, woolly monkey, capuchin, night or owl monkey and the howler monkey.

Previous studies have characterised the expressed immunoglobulin heavy chain repertoire of the Cullichrix jacchus marmoset (von Budingen H-C et al., Characterization of the expressed immunoglobulin IGHV repertoire in the New World marmoset Callilhrix jacchus. lmmunogenetics 2001; 53:557-563). Six IGHV subgroups were identified which showed a high degree of sequence similarity to their human IGHV counterparts. The 25 framework regions were more conserved when compared to the complementarity determining regions (CDRs). The degree of similarity between C. jacchus and human IGHV sequences was less than between Old World primates and humans.

Domain antibodies .Domain antibodies (dAb) are the smallest functioning binding units of antibodies and 30 correspond to the variable regions of either the heavy (Vh) or light (Vl) chains of antibodies. Domain antibodies have a molecular weight of approximately 13 kDa, or less than one tenth the size of a full antibody.

V RECEIVED at IPONZ on 24 November 2009 P:\OPER\GSH\Amd Spec\30272147 amd spec.doc-10/07/2009 3 Immunoglobulin, light chains are referred to as either kappa or lambda light chains and the heavy chains as gamma, mu, delta, alpha or epsilon. The variable region gives the antibody its specificity. Within each variable region are regions of hypervariability, otherwise known as complementarity determining regions (CDRs) which are flanked by 5 more conserved regions referred to as framework regions. Within each variable region are three CDRs and four framework regions.

In contrast to conventional antibodies, domain antibodies are well expressed in bacterial, yeast and mammalian systems. Their small size allows for higher molar quantities per 10 gram of product, thus providing a significant increase in potency per dose. In addition, domain antibodies can be used as a building block to create therapeutic products such as multiple targeting dAbs in which a construct containing two or more variable domains bind to two or more therapeutic targets, or dAbs targeted for pulmonary or oral administration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect, the present invention provides a recombinant domain antibody (dAb) which binds to human TNF-a, the dAb comprising an immunoglobulin heavy or light chain variable domain, wherein said variable domain comprises at least one 20 complementarity determining region (CDR) having a sequence derived from a New World primate wherein the CDR is selected from the group the group consisting of AATKLQS (SEQ ID No:l), EASSLQS (SEQ ID No:2), EASKLQS (SEQ ID No:3), SASNLET (SEQ ID No:4).

In a second aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of the dAb according to the first aspect of the invention, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides for the use of a dAb according to the first 30 aspect of the invention in a diagnostic application for detecting human TNF-a.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method for treating a disorder characterised by human TNF-a activity in a human subject, comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition according to the second aspect of the invention.

In a fifth aspect the invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding the dAb of the first aspect of the invention.

RECEIVED at IPONZ on 24 November 2009 P:\OPER\GSH\Amd Spec\30272147 amd spec.doo-10/07/2009 4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 shows the amino acid (SEQ ID No:6) and nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID No:5) of the acceptor dAb.

Figure 2 shows the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of eleven (11) marmoset and six (6) Owl monkey Vk gene segments.

Figure 3 shows the acceptor dAb amino acid (SEQ ID No:6) and nucleotide sequence (both 10 strands; SEQ ID Nos:5 and 53). The restriction digest sites for Kpn I and San DI which excises a region including the CDR2 is indicated in the figure. CDR2 residues removed are indicated in underlined.

Figure 4 shows sequence alignments showing oligonucleotides used during cloning and final 15 sequence confirmation of the nucleotide (A; SEQ ID Nos:5, 36, 54-56, 37, 57-59, 14, 60-62, 15, 63-65, respectively) and amino acid (B; SEQ ID Nos:6, 42, 66-68,43, 69-71, 25, 72-74, 26, 75-77, respectively) sequences shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 demonstrates the ability of CDR2-grafted dAbs to inhibit the binding of TNF to 20 recombinant TNF receptor. The dAbs tested were as follows: Owl Monkey 1 (CDR=AATKLQS; SEQ ID No:l), Owl Monkey 2 (CDR=EASSLQS; SEQ ID No:2), Marmoset 1 (CDR=EASKLQS ; SEQ ID No:3), Marmoset 2 (CDR=SASNLET; SEQ ID No:4) and Acceptor dAb (CDR=SASELQS; SEQ ID No:49).

Figure 6 demonstrates the improved ability of Compounds 100 and 123 to neutralise the cytotoxic activity of TNF on mouse L929 fibroblasts relative to acceptor dAb (Compound 145).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect, the present invention provides a recombinant domain antibody (dAb) which binds to human TNF-a, the dAb comprising an immunoglobulin heavy or light chain variable domain, wherein said variable domain comprises at least one complementarity determining region (CDR) having a sequence derived from a New World primate wherein the CDR is 35 selected from the group the group consisting of AATKLQS (SEQ ID No:l), EASSLQS (SEQ ID No:2), EASKLQS (SEQ ID No:3), SASNLET (SEQ ID No:4).

Preferably, the CDR is CDR2. 40 In a preferred embodiment the dAb has a sequence selected from: diqmtqspsslsasvgdrvtitcrasqsidsylhwyqqkpgkapklliysasnletg VPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQVVWRPFTFGQGTKVEIKR rCompound 145; SEQ ID No:7] DIQMTQSPSSLSASV GDRVT1TCRASQA1DS YLHWY QQKPGKAPK LL1YSAS NLET 5 GVPSRFSGSGSGTDFrLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQVVWRPFTFGQGTKVEIKJR [Compound 123; SEQ ID No:8] DIQMTQSPSSLS AS VGDRVTITCRASQS IDS YLHW Y QQKPG K APKLLIY S ASNLETG VPSRFvSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLLPEDFATYYCQQVVWRFFTFGQGTKVEIKR [Compound 100; SEQ ID No:9] D [QMTQSPSS LS AS VG DRVTITCR AS QAIDS YLHWYQQ KPGKAPK LLIYSASN LET GVPSRFSGSGSGTDFI'LTISSLI-PEDFATYYCQQVVWRPFTFGQGTKVEIKR [Compound 196; SEQ ID No:10j DIQMTQSPSSLS ASVGDRVTITCRASQSIDSYLHWYQQKPGKPPKLLIYvS ASNLETG VPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQVVWRPFTFGQGTKYEIKR 15 [Compound 134; SEQ ID No:50] DfQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQSIDSYLHWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYSASNLETG VPSRFSGRGSGTD FTLTISSLQ PEDFAT Y YCQQVVW RPFTFGQGT KVEIKR [Compound 137; SEQ ID No:51] ^ DIQMTQSPSSLS ASVGDRVTITCRASQSIDSYLHWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYSASNLETG 20 VPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLLPEDFATYYCQQV VWRPFTFGQGTKVEIKR [Compound 121; SEQ ID No:521 In a further aspect the invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding the dAb of the first aspect of the invention.

The term "binds to" as used herein, is intended to refer to the binding ol' an antigen by an 25 immunoglobulin variable region with a dissociation constant (Kj) of 1 fiM or lower as measured by surface plasmon resonance analysis using, for example a BIAcore™ surface plasmon resonance system and BIAcore™ kinetic evaluation software (eg. version 2.1). The affinity or dissociation constant (Kj) for a specific binding interaction is preferably about 500 nM or lower, more preferably about 300 nM or lower and preferably at least 300 30 nM to 50 pM, 200 nM to 50 pM, and more preferably at least 100 nM to 50 pM, 75 nM to 50 pM, 10 nM to 50 pM. 6 The term "variable domain" as used herein is meant a folded polypeptide domain which comprises sequences characteristic of immunoglobulin heavy or light, chain variable domains and which, specifically binds an antigen. A domain antibody or dAb is equivalent to a single variable domain polypeptide.

S It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art thai the remainder of the variable domain scquencc may be derived from cither a human, New World primate or Old World primate variable domain sequence which, because of their evolutionary association with humans, share a high degree of homology with the human sequence. Thus, for example, a CDR selected from the sequences above may be grafted into the human or primaie variable 10 region sequence to replace the wild-type CDR.

Accordingly, the invention is further based on a method for amplification of New World primate immunoglobulin variable domain genes, for example by polymerase chain reaction (PGR) from nucleic acid extracted from New World primate lymphocytes using primers specific for heavy and light chain variable domain gene families. For example, i 5 information regarding the boundaries of the variable domains of heavy and light chain genes (VH and VL respectively) can be used to design PCR primers that amplify the variable domain from a cloned heavy or light chain coding sequence encoding an antibody known to bind a given antigen. The amplified variable domain is then inserted either alone or as a fusion with another polypeptide sequence into a suitable expression vector. The expressed variable domain is then screened for high affinity binding lo the desired antigen.

I The repertoire of Vh and VL domains can be a naturally occurring repertoire of immunoglobulin sequences or a synthetic repertoire. A naturally occurring repertoire is one prepared, for example, from immunoglobulin expressing cells harvested from one or more primates. Such repertoires can be naive ie. prepared from newborn immunoglobulin 25 expressing cells, or rearranged ie. prepared from , for example, adult primate B cells. If desired, clones identified from a natural repertoire, or any repertoire that bind the target antigen arc then subject to mutagenesis and further screening in order to produce and select variants with improved binding characteristics.

Synthetic repertoires of single immunoglobulin variable domains arc prepared by 30 artificially introducing diversity into a cloned variable domain.

A repertoire of Vh and Vi.domains can be screened for desired binding specificity and functional behaviour by, for example phage display- Methods for the construction of bacteriophage display libraries and lambda phage expression libraries are well known in the art. The phage display technique has been described extensively in the ait and examples of methods and compounds for generating and screening such libraries and affinity1 maturing the products of them can be found in, for example, Barbas et al. (1991) PNAS 88:7978-7982; Clarkson et al. (1991) Nature 352:624:628; Dower et al. PCT. 91/17271., U.S. Patent No. 5,427,908, U.S. PatcntNo. 5,580,717 and EP 527,839; Fuchs et 5 al. (1991) Bio/T<?chnology 9:1370-1372; Garradet al. (1991) Bio/Technology 9:1373:1377; Garrard et al. PCT WO 92/09690; Gram et al. (1992) PNAS 89:3576-3580; Griffiths et al. (1993) EMBO J 12:725:734; Griffiths et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,885,793 and EP 589,877; Hawkins el al. (1992) J Mol Bio! 226:889-896; Hay et al, (1992) Hum Antibod Hybridomas 3:81-85; Hoogenboom et al. (1991) Nuc Acid Res 19:4133-4137; 10 Husc ct al. (1989) Scicncc 246:1275-1281; Knappik et ah (2000) j Mol Biol 296:57-86; Knappik et al. PCT WO 97/08320; Ladner et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,223,409, No. 5,403,484, No. 5,571,698, No. 5,837,500 and EP 436,597; McCafferty et al. (1990) Nature 348:552-554; McCafferty et al. PCT. WO 92/01047, U.S. PatcntNo. 5,969,108 and EP 589,877; Salfeldet al. PCT WO 97/29131, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/126,603; and 15 Winter el al. PCT WO 92/20791 and EP 368,684, Recombinant libraries expressing the repertoire of Vh and Vi. domains can be expressed on the surface of microorganisms eg. Yeast or bacteria (see PCT publications WQ99/36569 and 98/49286).

The Selective Lymphocyte Antibody Method or SLAM as it is referred to in the state of 20 the art, is another means of generating high affinity antibodies rapidly. Unlike phage display approaches all antibodies are fully divalent. In order to generate New World primate antibodies, New World primates are immunised with a human antigen eg. a TNF-oc polypeptide. Following immunisation cells are removed and selectively proliferated in individual micro wells. Supernatants are removed from wells and tested for both binding 25 and function. Gene sequences can be recovered for subsequent manipulations eg. humanisation, Fab fragment, seFv or dAb generation. Thus another example is the derivation of the antibody or antibody species of the invention by SLAM and its derivatives (Babcock, J.S. et al 1996, Proc.Nall. Acad.Sci, USA 93; 7843-7848, US Patent 5,627,052 and PCT publication W092/02551). Adaptations of SLAM, such as the use of 30 alternatives to testing supernatants such as panning, also lie within the scope of this invention. hi one expression system the recombinant peptide/protcin library is displayed on ribosomes (for examples see Roberts, RW and Szostak, J.W.1997. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.USA. 94:12297 - 123202 and PCT Publication No. W098/31700). 35 Thus another example involves the generation and in vitro transcription of a DNA library 8 (eg of antibodies or derivatives preferably prepared from immunised cells, but not so limited), translation of the library such that tlie protein and "immunised" mRNAs stay on the ribosome, affinity selection (eg by binding to RSP), mRNA isolation, reverse , translation and subsequent amplification (eg by polymerase chain reaction or related 5 technology). Additional rounds of selection and amplification can be coupled as neccssary to affinity maturation through introduction of somatic mutation in this system or by other methods of affinity maturation an known in the state of the ait.

Another example sees the application of emulsion compartmentalisation technology to the generation of the domain antibodies of the invention. In emulsion compartmentalisation, 10 in vitro and optical sorting methods are combined with eo-compartmentalisation of translated protein and its nucleotide coding sequence in aqueous phase within an oil droplet in an emulsion (see PCT publications no's WO99026711 and W00040712). The main elements for the generation and selection of antibodies arc essentially similar to the in vitro method of ribosome display.

The CDR sequences may be obtained from several sources, for example, databases e.g. The National Centre for Biotechnology Information protein and nucleotide databases, The Kabat Database of Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest. Alternatively, the CDR regions can be predicted from the Vn and Vl domain repertoire (see for example Kabat EA and Wu IT. Attempts to locate complementarity determining residues in the 20 variable positions of light and heavy chains. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 190:382-93 (1971)). The CDR sequence may be a genomic DNA or a cDNA, There are a number of ways in which a replacement CDR may be grafted into a variable domain sequence and such methods will be familiar to those skilled in the art. The preferred method of the present invention involves replacement of (lie CDR2 in the 25 variable region domain via primer directed mutagenesis. This method consists of annealing a synthetic oligonucleotide encoding a desired mutations to a target region where it serves as a primer for initiation of DNA synthesis in vitro, extending the oligonucleotide by a DNA polymerase to generate a double-stranded DNA that carries the desired mutations, and ligating and cloning the sequence into an appropriate expression 30 vector.

Preferably, the domain antibody according to the invention has low immunogenicity in humans.

By reference to the term "low immunogenicity" it is meant that the domain antibody does not raise an antibody response in a human of sufficient magnitude to reduce the 9 effectiveness of continued administration of the antibody for a sufficient lime to achieve therapeutic efficacy.

Preferably, the variable region sequence into which the CDR is grafted is the "dAb acceptor sequence" (designated Compound 128) provided in Figure 1.

The dAb acccptor sequence consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No:5: DIQMTQSPSSLS AS VGDRVTITCRASQSIDSYJ -HWYQQKPG K APKLLIY S ASELQSG VPSRFSGSOSGTDFTLT1SSLQPEDFATYYCQQWWRPFTFGQGTKVEIKR (SEQ ID No;6).

This sequence is encoded by the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID No:5: GAC ATC CAG ATG ACC CAS TCT CCA TCC 'l^T CTC TCT GCA TCT GTA GGA GAC COT GTC ACC ATC ACT TGC CGG GCA AGT CAG AGC ATT RAT AG'P TAT TTA CAT TGQ TAC CAG CAG AAA CCA mO AftA OCC CCT ARC CTC CTG ATC TA'P AGT GCA TCC GAG TTG CAA AGT GGG GTC CCA TCA CGT TTC AGT GGC AGT GGA TCP GGG ACA GAT 'PTC ACT CTC ACC ATC AGC AGT CTG CAA CCT GAA GAT TTT GCT ACG TAC TAC TGT CAA CAG GTT GTG TGG CGT CCT TTT ACG TTC G0C CAA 15 ' GGG ACC AAO GTG OA A ATC AAA CGG In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a marmoset CDR sequence YSASNLET (SEQ ID No:4) is grafted into the dAb acccptor sequence so as to replace the CDR2 sequence (YSASELQS; SEQ ID No'-49) of the dAb acccptor sequence to produce the following dAb (designated Compound 145): Compound 145 DIQMTQSPSSLS ASVGDRVTJTCRASQSIDSYLHWYQQKPGKAPJKLLIYSASNLETG VPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPEDFATYYCQQVVWRPFTFGQGTKVEIKR (SEQ ID No:7) Thus, in one preferred embodiment, the dAb which binds to human TNF-ra comprises the 25 amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No:7.

It is within the scope of the present invention, that the dAb sequence may be further subject to affinity maturation in order to improve its antigen binding characteristics. This may necessitate the modification of certain amino acid residues within CDR1 and CDR3.

For example, the marmoset CPR-grafted dAb set forth in SEQ ID No:7 was affinity 30 matured as set out in the Materials and Methods and tested for TNF-binding. In a further preferred embodiment, the dAb which binds to human TNF-a comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No:8 or SEQ ID No:9. These have been designated Compound 123 and Compound 100 respectively and their sequences arc shown below: Compound 123 DIQMTQSPSSLS ASVGDRVTITCRASQAIDSYLHWYQQKPG KAPKLLIYSASNLET GV PSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTIS S LQPEDFATY YCQQ V VWRPFTFGQGTKV EIKR (SEQ ID No: 8) Compound 100 D fQMTQSPSS LS AS V GDR VTITC.R ASQSIDS YLH WY QQ KPGK APKLLIY S ASNLETG 10 VPSRFSGSGSGTDFrLTISSLLPEDFATYYCQQVVWRPFTFGQGTKVEIKR (SEQ ID No: 9) In a particularly preferred embodiment, the dAb which binds to human TNF-a comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No: 10. This has ben designated Compound 196 and the sequence is provided below: Compound 196 DIQMTQS PSSLS AS V GDR VTITCRASQ AIDS YLHWY QQKPGKAPK LLIYS ASNLET GVPSRFSGSGSGTDFrLTISSLLPEDFATYYCQQVVWRPFYFGQGTKVEJK:R(SEQ ID No: 10) The dAb according to the invention may further comprise an immunoglobulin constant 20 region (Fc region) connected thereto. The constant region sequence may be derived from human or primate sequences. The primate sequence may be a New World primate or an Old World primate sequence. Suitable Old World primates include chimpanzee, or other hominid ape eg. gorilla or orang utan, which because of Lheir close phylogcnetic proximity to humans, share a Mgh degree of homology with the human constant region sequence.

The dAb (with or without the constant region connected thereto) can be derivatised or linked to another functional molecule. For example, the dAb can be functional iy linked by chemical coupling, genetic fusion, noncovalent association or otherwise, to one or more other molecular entities, such as another antibody, a detectable agent, a cytotoxic agent, a pharmaceutical agent, and/or a protein or peptide that can mediate association of the 30 antibody with another molecule (such as a streptavidin core region or a polyhislidine tag).

WO 2007/070948 PCT/AU2006/001940 11 Useful detectable agents with which the dAb may be derivatised include fluorcscccnt compounds. Exemplary fluorescent detectable agents include fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodaminc, 5-dimethylamine-l-napthalenesulfonyl chloride, phycoerythrin and the like. The dAb may also be derivatised with detectable enzymes such as alkaline 5 phosphatase, horseradish peroxidase, glucose oxidase and the like. When a dAb is derivatised with a detectable enzyme, it is detected by adding additional reagents that the enzyme uses to produce a detectable reaction product. A dAb may also be derivatised with biotin, and detected through indirect measurement of avidin or strcptavidm binding.

The present invention also extends to PEGylated dAbs (with or without the constant region 10 connected thereto) which provide increased half-life and resistance to degradation without a loss in activity (eg. binding affinity) relative to non-PEGylated antibody polypeptides, The dAb can be coupled, using methods known in the art, to polymer molecules (preferably PEG) useful for achieving the increased half-life and degradation resistance properties. Polymer moieties which can be utilised in the invention can be synthetic or 15 naturally occurring and include, but. or not limited to straight or branched chain polyalkylene, polyalkcaylene or polyoxyalkylcne polymers, or a branched or unbranched polysaccharide such as a homo-or heteropolysaccharide. Preferred examples of synthetic polymers which can be used in the invention include straight or branched chain poly(cthylene glycol) (PEG), poly(propylene glycol), or polyvinyl alcohol) and 20 derivatives or substituted forms thereof. Particularly preferred substituted polymers for linkage to dAbs include substituted PEG, including mcthoxy(polyethylene glycol). Naturally occurring polymer moieties which can be used in addition to or in place of PEG include lactose, amylose, dcxtran, or glycogen, as well as derivatives thereof which would be recognised by persons skilled in the art.

Derivatizcd forms of polymer molecules include, for example, derivatives which have additional moieties or rcactive groups present therein to permit interaction with amino acid residues of the domain antibody polypeptides described herein. Such derivatives include N-hydroxylsuccinimide (NHS) active esters, succinimidyl propionate polymers, and sulfhydryl-selective rcactive agents such as maleimidc, vinyl sulfone, and thiol. PEG 30 polymers useful in the invention can be linear molecules, or can be branched wherein multiple PEG moieties are present in a single polymer. 12 The reactivc group (e.g., MAL, NHS, SPA, VS, or Thiol) may be attached directly to the PEG polymer or may be attached to PEG via a linker moleculc.

The size of polymers useful in the invention can be in the range of between 500 Da to 60 kDa, for example, between 1000 Da and 60 kDa, 10 kDa and 60 kDa, 20 kDa and 60 kDa, 5 30 kDa and 60 kDa, 40 kDa and 60 kDa, and up to between 50 kDa and 60 kDa. The polymers used in the invention, particularly PEG, can be straight chain polymers or may possess a branched conformation.

The polymer (PEG) molccules useful in the invention can be attached to a domain antibody using methods which are well known in the art. The first step in the attachment of 10 PEG or other polymer moieties to an antibody polypeptide monomer or multimer of the invention is the substitution of the hydroxy! end-groups of the PEG polymer by clectrophile-containing functional groups. Particularly, PEG polymers are attached to either cysteine or lysine residues present in the domain antibody. The cysteine and lysine residues can be naturally occurring, or can be engineered into the antibody polypeptide 15 molecule. For example, cysteine residues can be recombinantly engineered at the C- terminus of a dAb polypeptide, or residues at specific solvent accessible locations in a dAb or other antibody polypeptide can be substituted with cysteine or lysine.

The dAb according to the invention may be linked to one or more moleculcs which can Increase its half-life in vivo. These moleculcs may be linked to the dAb via a linker so that 20 they do not intcrfere/sterically hinder the antigen binding site. Alternatively, they may be linked to the constant region. Typically, such molecules are polypeptides which occur naturally in vivo and which resist degradation or removal by endogenous mechanisms. Molecules which increase half life may be selected from the following: (a) proteins from the extracellular matrix, eg. collagen, laminin, integrin and fibronectin; (b) proteins [bund in blood, eg. fibrin a-2 macroglobulln, serum albumin, fibrinogen A, fibrinogen B, serum amyloid protein A, heptaglobin, protein, ubiquitin, uteroglobulin, ti-2 microglobulin, plasminogen, lysozyme, cystatin C, alpha-1-antitrypsin and pancreatic , kypsin inhibitor; (c) immune serum proteins, eg. IgE, IgG, TgM; .13 (d) transport proteins, eg. rctinol binding protein, a-1 microglobulin; (e) defensins, eg. beta-defensin 1, Neutrophil defensins 1,2 and 3; (f) proteins found at ihc blood brain barrier or in neural tissues, eg. melaiiocortin reccptor, myelin, ascorbate transporter; (g) transferrin receptor specific ligand-neuropharmaceutical agent fusion proteins (see US5977307); brain capillary endothelial ccll receptor, transferrin, transferrin reccptor, insulin, insulin- like growth factor I (IGF 1) receptor, insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF 2) receptor, insulin receptor; (h) proteins localised to the kidney, eg. polycystic type IV collagen, organic anion 10 transporter Kl, Heymann's antigen; (i) proteins localised to the liver, eg. alcohol dehydrogenase, G25Q; (j) blood coagulation factor X; (k) a-1 antitrypsin; (1) HMF la; (m) proteins localised to the lung, eg, secretory component (binds IgA); (n) proteins localised to the Heart, eg. HSP 27; (o) proteins localised to the skin, eg, keratin; (p) bone specific proteins, such as bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) eg, BIVfP-2, -4, -5, -6, -7 (also referred to as osteogenic protein (OP-1) and -8 (OP-2); (q) tumour specific proteins, eg. human irophoblast antigen, herceptin receptor, oestrogen receptor, cathepsins eg cathepsin B (found in liver and spleen); (r) disease-specific proteins, eg. antigens expressed only on activated T- cells: including LAG-3 (lymphocyte activation gene); osleoprotegerin ligand (OPGL) sec Nature 402, 304-309,1999; 0X40 (a member of the TNF receptor family, expressed on activated T cells 25 and the only costimulatory T cell molecule known to be specifically up-regulated in human T cell leukaemia virus type-I (HTLV-I)-producing cells - see J. Immunol. 2000 Jul l;16561):263-70; metalloproteases (associated with arthritis/cancers), including CG6512 14 Drosopliila, human paraplegia, human FtsH, human AFG3L2, murine ftsl-I; angiogenic growth factors, including acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF/VPF), transforming growth factor-ot (TGF-oc), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-5 a), angiogenic interleukin-3 (IL-3), interleukin-8 platelet derived endothelial growth factor (PD- ECGF), placental growth factor (PIGF), tnidkine platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF), fractaikine; (s) stress proteins (heaL shock proteins); (t) proteins involved in Fc transport; and (u) antibodies, fragments or derivatives directed against endogenous proteins e.g. serum albumin.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the dAb according to ihc first aspect may be muliimerised, as for example, hctcro- or homodlmcrs, hetcro- or hoitioti'inicrs, hctero-or homotetramcrs, or higher order hctero- or homomultimers. Multimerisation can 15 increase the strength of antigen binding, wherein the strength of binding is related to the sum of the binding affinities of the multiple binding sites.

Thus, the invention provides a domain antibody according to the first aspect, wherein the domain antibody is linked to at least one further domain antibody. Each dAb may bind to the same or different antigens.

The dAb mulLimers may further comprise one or more dAbs which are linked and wherein each dAb binds to a different antigen, multi-specific ligands including so-called "dual-specific ligands". For example, the dual specific ligands may comprise a pair of V« domains or a pair of Vl domains. Such .dual-spccific ligands arc described in WO 2004/003019 (PCT/GB2003/002804) in the name of Domantis Ltd.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of (lie dAb according to the first aspect of the invention, together with a pharmaceuLically acceptable carrier or diluent.

A "pharmaceutical!y acceptable carrier" includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying 30 agents, and the like which are physiologically compatible. Examples of pharmaceutical^ acceptable carriers include one or more of water, saline, phosphate buffered saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol, and the like as well as combinations thereof. In many eases it will be preferable to includc isotonic agents, for example, sugars, poly alcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, or sodium chloride in the composition. Pharmaccutically acceptable substances such as wetting or minor amounts of auxiliary substances such as wetting or 5 emulsifying agents, preservatives or buffers.

The composition may be in a variety of forms, including liquid, semi-solid and solid dosage forms, such as liquid solutions (eg injectable and infusible solutions), dispersions or suspensions, tablets, pills, powders, liposomes and suppositories. Preferably, the composition is in ihc form of an injectable solution for immunization. The administration 10 may be intravenous, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, transdermal, intrathecal, and intra-arterial.

Therapeutic compositions typically must be sterile and stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage. The compositions can be formulated as a solution, rnieroemulsion, dispersion, liposome, or other ordered structure suitable to high drug 15 concentration. Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incoiporating the active compound (ie. dAb) into the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or a combination of ingredients listed above, followed by filtered sterilisation.

The composition may also be formulated as a sterile powder for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions. The proper fluidity of a solution can be maintained by for example, 20 use of a coating such as lecithin and/or surfactants.

In certain embodiments, the active compound may be prepared with a carrier that will protect the compound against rapid release, such as a controlled release formulation, including implants, transdermal patches, and microencapsulated delivery systems. Compatible polymers may be used such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, 25 polyglycolie acid, collagen, polyorthoesters and polylactic acid.

The composition may also be formulated for oral administration. In this embodiment, the dAb maybe enclosed in a hard or soft shell gelatin capsule, compressed into tablets, or incorporated directly into the subject's dieL.

The composition may also be formulated for rectal administration.

Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporated into the composition. The domain antibody may be co-formulated with and/or co-administercd with one or more additional therapeutic agents eg. anti-inflammatory compounds, soluble TNF-a receptor or a chemical agent that inhibits human TNF-a production, or antibodies that bind other 16 targets such as cytokines or cell surface molecules. Alternatively, il may be coadministered with a soluble immunochemical reagent such as protein A, C, G or L.

An effective amount may include a therapeutically effective amount or prophylaetieally effective amount of the dAb of the invention. A therapeutically effective amount refers to 5 an amount cffectivc at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired therapeutic result. A prophylaetieally effective amount refers to an amount effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired, prophylactic result.

In a preferred embodiment the composition is administered to mammals, preferably humans or primates.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides for the use of a dAb according to ihc first aspect of Hie invention in a diagnostic application for detecting human TNF-a.

For example, the anti-human TNF-a dAb according to the invention can be used to detect human TNF-a for example in a biological sample, such as serum or plasma using a conventional immunoassay, such as an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELlSA), a 15 radioimmunoassay (RIA) or tissue immunohistochemistry. The anti-human TNF-a dAb according to the invention can be assayed in biological fluids by a competition immunoassay using recombinant human. TNF-a standards labelled with a detectable substance and an uniabelled anti-human TNF-a antibody.

The anti-human TNF-a dAb according to the invention may also be used to detect TNF-a 20 from species other than humans eg. chimpanzee, marmoset, rhesus, mouse, pig.

The anti-human TNF-a dAb according to the invention may also be used in cell culture applications where it is desired to inhibit TNF-a activity. fn a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method for treating a disorder characterised by human TNF-u activiLy in a human subject, comprising administering to the subject a 25 pharmaceutical composition according to the second aspect of the invention, A disorder characterised by human TNF-a activity is intended to include diseases and other disorders in wh ich the presence of TNF-a in a subject suffering from the disorder has been shown to be or is suspected of being either responsible for the pathophysiology of the disorder or a factor which contributes to a worsening of the disorder. Preferably, the 30 disorder characterised by human TNF-a activity is selected from the group consisting of inflammation, inflammatory diseases, sepsis, including scptic shock, endoioxic shock, gram negative sepsis and toxic shock syndrome; autoimmune disease, including WO 2007/070948 PCT/AU2006/001940 17 rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, osteoarthritis and gouty arthritis, allergy, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune diabetes, autoimmune uveitis and nephrotic syndrome; infectious disease, including fever and myalgias due to infection and cachexia secondary lo infection; graft versus host, disease; tumour growth or metastasis; pulmonary disorders 5 including adult respiratory distress syndrome, shock lung, chronic pulmonary inflammatory disease, pulmonary sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis and silicosis; inflammatory bowel disorders including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; cardiac disorders; inflammatory bone disorders, hepatitis, coagulation disturbances, burns, reperfusion injury, keloid formation and scar tissue formation.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood lo imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

All publications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference. Any 15 discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date of each 20 claim of this application.

In order that the nature of the present invention may be more clearly understood, preferred forms thereof will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting examples.

RECEIVED at IPONZ on 24 November 2009 P:\OPER\GSH\Amd Spec\30272l47 amd spec.doc-i0/07/2009 18 EXAMPLE 1 Materials and Methods Isolation of New World primate VL genes Marmoset (genus Callithrix, species unknown) and Owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus) genomic DNA were obtained from the European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC), catalogue numbers 85011419 and 90110510 respectively. Marmoset DNA was derived from cell line B95-8 while Owl monkey DNA came from cell line OMK 637-69.

Degenerate primers based on human Vk leader sequences and recombination signal sequences (RSS) were derived from Walter and Tomlinson, Antibody Engineering: A Practical Approach (1996). The primers used for amplification of germline Vk DNA were as follows: Primer VK1BL AAT CKC AGGTKCC AG AT G (SEQ ID No:l 1) Primer VKlBL35a GTT YRGGTKKGTA AC ACT (SQ ID No: 12) Primer VKlBL35b ATGMCTTGTWACACTGTG (SEQ ID NO: 13) Genomic PCR (30 cycles) was performed using Taq polymerase with either primer pair 25 VKlBLxVKlBL35a or VKlBLxVKlBL35b. There was overlap between the sequences cloned and the two primer sets used.

PCR products were cloned into Invitrogen's TOPO TA cloning kit (Cat No K4500-01) and sequenced with Ml 3 forward and pUC reverse primers. Sequence was confirmed in 30 forward and reverse directions. In order to further confirm key sequences were not subject to PCR errors, the PCR and cloning process was repeated twice for marmoset sequences. Nucleotide (SEQ ID Nos: 14-24 and SEQ ID Nos:36-41) and amino acid (SEQ ID Nos:25-35 and SEQ ID Nos:42-47) are given in Figure 2. Marmoset sequences 1, 2 and 3 were confirmed. Sequences 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were seen only in the initial PCR. Sequences 9, 10 35 and 11 were seen only in the repeat (ie second) PCR and cloning.

Oligo Synthesis and Cloning into Acceptor Sequence 40 Four CDR sequences, namely AATKLQS (SEQ ID No:l) from Owl monkey sequence 1 (SEQ ID No:42), EASSLQS (SEQ ID No:2) from Owl monkey sequence 2 (SEQ ID RECEIVED at IPONZ on 24 November 2009 P:\OPER\GSH\Amd Spec\30272l47 amd spec.doc-10/07/2009 19 No:43), EASKLQS (SEQ ID No:3) from Marmoset sequence 1 (SEQ ID No:25), and SASNLET (SEQ ID No:4) from Marmoset sequence 2 (SEQ ID No:26), were chosen from the amino acid sequences shown in Figure 2 as indicated. Owl Monkey sequence 5, YASSLQS (SEQ ID No:48) was found to be identical to GI6176295 an Aotus nancymaae 5 (Ma's night monkey) cDNA sequence, all other sequences were unique.

An acceptor variable region (anti-TNF domain antibody) sequence in the expression vector (Domantis proprietary vector) was digested (25|a,g) sequentially with Kpnl and SanDI which excises the majority of FR2 as well as CDR2 as indicated on the restriction digest 10 map. The vector was then gel purified to remove the excised wild-type FR2 and CDR2 sequence.

Oligo annealing was performed by incubating oligo pairs (500 pmol of each as shown in Figure 4A and 4B) at 95°C for 5 minutes followed by 65°C for 5 minutes and then allowed 15 to reach room temperature slowly on a hot block. Overlaps were then filled in during a Klenow reaction in the presence of dNTPs.

Affinity Maturation The marmoset CDR-grafted dAb Compound 145 (SEQ ID No:7) was affinity matured by constructing 14 separate libraries, each a diversification of the sequence of SEQ ID No:7 at a single amino acid residue. The selected residues are shown shaded below.

DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQSIDltL§fWYQQKPGK§PKLLIYSASNLETG 25 VPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSL|PEDFATYYCQQVVWRP|TFGQGTKVEIKR The selection was based upon residues in CDR1 and CDR3 that are known to be diversified in the mature human Ig repertoire, and framework residues that have been observed to produce functional proteins after mutagenesis in related dAbs. For each of the selected 30 residues, complimentary forward and reverse PCR primer pairs were designed with NKK degeneracy, and two initial PCR reactions were performed each with a single mutagenic primer and flanking primer. After clean-up, the two PCR products were annealed and then amplified using flanking primers alone (splicing by overlap extension of PCR; Lowman H.L. & Clackson T. (eds), Phage Display: A practical approach, Oxford University Press , 35 Oxford, UK). Clones were initially screened by ELIZA using solid-phase TNF, and positive clones were sequenced. dAb protein was purified from the best clones and evaluated for potency in receptor binding assays and L929 cytotoxicity assays.

Compounds 100 (SEQ ID No:9) and 123 (SEQ ID No:8) were found to have improved TNF-neutralization relative to the parent dAb, Compound 145 (SEQ ID No:7).

Combination of the affinity-enhancing substitutions of Compounds 100 (SEQ ID No:9) and 123 (SEQ ID No:8), yielded an anti-TNF dAb with further improved potency in the L929 cytotoxicity assay (Compound J 96; SEQ ID No:10).

Results Potency of anti-TNF dAb clones in receptor binding assay (RBA) and cvtoloxocity Assay • The ability of the anti-TNF dAbs to inhibit TNF binding to its receptor and lo neutralize TNF-mediated cytotoxicity of L929 cells was conducted as follows: Receptor binding assay dAbs diversified in the 14 selected positions were tested for the ability to inhibit the binding of TNF to recombinant TNF rcceptor 1 (p55). Briefly, Maxisorp plates were incubated overnight with 30 mg/ml anti-human Fc mouse monoclonal antibody (Zymed, San Francisco, USA). The wells were washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 0.05% Twcen-20 and then blocked with 1% BSA in PBS before being 15 incubatcd with 100 ng/.ml TNF receptor 1 Fc fusion protein (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, USA). Each dAb was mixed with TNF which was added lo the washed wells aL a final concentration of 10 ng/ml. TNF binding was detected with 0,2 mg/ml biotinylated anti-TNF antibody (HyCull biotechnology, Uben, Netherlands) followed by 1 in 500 dilution of horse radish peroxidase labelled streptavidin (Amcrsham Biosciences, UK) and then 20 incubation with TMB substrate (KPL, Gaithersburg, (JSA). The reaction was stopped by the addition of HCl and the absorbance was read at 450nm, Anti-TNF dAb activity lead to a decrease in TNF binding and therefore a decrease in absorbance compared with the TNF only control (Figure 5).

L929 Cytotoxicity Assay Anti-TNF dAbs identified by the mini library diversification approach, including Compounds 100 (SEQ ID No:9) find 123 (SEQ ID No:§), were also tested for the ability to neutralise the cytotoxic activity of TNF on mouse L929 fibroblasts (Evans, T. (2000) Molecular Biotechnology 15, 243-248). Briefly, L929 cells plated in microlitre plates were incubated overnight with anti-TNF dAb, 100 pg/ml TNF and 1 mg/ml actinomycin D 30 (Sigma, Poole, UK), Cell viability was measured by reading absorbance at 490nm following an incubation with [3-(4,5-dimelhylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3 -carbboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophcnyl)-2H- tetrazolium (Pramcga, Madison, USA). Anti-TNF dAb activity lead to a decrease in TNF cytotoxicity and therefore an increase in 21 absorbance compared with the TNF only control. The results, in comparison with the parent dAb Compound 145 (SEQ ID No:7) are presented in Figure 6.

Il will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to Lhc invention as shown in the specific embodiments without 5 departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

RECEIVED at IPONZ on 19 October 2011 22

Claims (8)

1. A recombinant domain antibody (dAb) which binds to human TNF-a, wherein the dAb has the sequence: DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQ AIDSYLHWY QQKPGKAPKLLIY S AS NLETGWSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLLPEDFATYYCQQWWRPFTFGQGTKV EIKR (SEQ ID No: 10);

2. A recombinant dAb according to claim 1 wherein CDR1 and/or CDR3 is modified to improve antigen binding,

3. A recombinant dAb according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the dAb has low immunogenicity in humans.

4. An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the dAb of any preceding claim.

5. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a recombinant domain antibody (dAb) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

6. A method for detecting human TNF-a in a sample comprising contacting the sample with an effective amount of a recombinant dAb according to any one of claims 1 to 3and detecting the amount of bound dAb.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the sample is a biological sample.

8. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 5 for treating a disorder characterized by human TNF-a activity in a human subject, wherein the disorder characterized by human TNF-a activity is selected from the group consisting of inflammation, inflammatory diseases, sepsis, including septic shock, endotoxic shock, gram negative sepsis and toxic shock syndrome; autoimmune disease, including rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, osteoarthritis and gouty arthritis, allergy, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune diabetes, autoimmune uveitis and nephrotic syndrome; infectious disease, including fever and myalgias due to infection and cachexia secondary to RECEIVED at IPONZ on 19 October 2011 23 infection; graft versus host disease; tumour growth or metastasis; pulmonary disorders including adult respiratory distress syndrome, shock lung, chronic pulmonary inflammatory disease, pulmonary sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis and silicosis; inflammatory bowel disorders including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; cardiac disorders; inflammatory bone disorders, hepatitis, coagulation disturbances, burns, reperfusion injury, keloid formation and scar tissue formation.