WO2023031435A1 - Treatment and prevention of cancer using her3 antigen-binding molecules - Google Patents

Treatment and prevention of cancer using her3 antigen-binding molecules Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023031435A1
WO2023031435A1 PCT/EP2022/074520 EP2022074520W WO2023031435A1 WO 2023031435 A1 WO2023031435 A1 WO 2023031435A1 EP 2022074520 W EP2022074520 W EP 2022074520W WO 2023031435 A1 WO2023031435 A1 WO 2023031435A1
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amino acid
antigen
acid sequence
seq
binding molecule
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WO2023031435A9 (en
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Nigel Westwood
Harriet WALTERS
Gavin HALBERT
Jennifer L Craigen
Siyu GUAN
Jerome BOYD-KIRKUP
Piers INGRAM
Dipti THAKKAR
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Cancer Research Technology Ltd
Hummingbird Bioscience Holdings Ltd
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Cancer Research Technology Ltd
Hummingbird Bioscience Holdings Ltd
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Priority to EP22776887.6A priority Critical patent/EP4396238A1/en
Priority to US18/688,576 priority patent/US20250122303A1/en
Priority to KR1020247010142A priority patent/KR20240110556A/ko
Priority to JP2024514008A priority patent/JP2024536719A/ja
Priority to CN202280074014.0A priority patent/CN118541395A/zh
Publication of WO2023031435A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023031435A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
    • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
    • C07K16/32—Immunoglobulins [IG], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans against translation products of oncogenes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/33—Heterocyclic compounds
    • A61K31/395—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins
    • A61K31/41—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having five-membered rings with two or more ring hetero atoms, at least one of which being nitrogen, e.g. tetrazole
    • A61K31/4164—1,3-Diazoles
    • A61K31/4166—1,3-Diazoles having oxo groups directly attached to the heterocyclic ring, e.g. phenytoin
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
    • A61K2039/505—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies comprising antibodies
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
    • A61K2039/505—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies comprising antibodies
    • A61K2039/507—Comprising a combination of two or more separate antibodies
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
    • A61K2039/545—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies characterised by the dose, timing or administration schedule
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/20—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by taxonomic origin
    • C07K2317/24—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by taxonomic origin containing regions, domains or residues from different species, e.g. chimeric, humanized or veneered
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/50—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments
    • C07K2317/56—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments variable (Fv) region, i.e. VH and/or VL
    • C07K2317/565—Complementarity determining region [CDR]
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/50—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments
    • C07K2317/56—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by immunoglobulin fragments variable (Fv) region, i.e. VH and/or VL
    • C07K2317/567—Framework region [FR]
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/70—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by effect upon binding to a cell or to an antigen
    • C07K2317/76—Antagonist effect on antigen, e.g. neutralization or inhibition of binding
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/70—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by effect upon binding to a cell or to an antigen
    • C07K2317/77—Internalization into the cell
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/90—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by (pharmaco)kinetic aspects or by stability of the immunoglobulin
    • C07K2317/92—Affinity (KD), association rate (Ka), dissociation rate (Kd) or EC50 value

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the fields of molecular biology, more specifically antibody technology and methods of medical treatment and prophylaxis.
  • HER3 expression is linked to poor prognosis in multiple solid tumors, including breast, gastric, head & neck, pancreatic, ovarian, and lung cancers.
  • HER3-mediated signalling has adverse consequences for tumour progression; HER3 upregulation is associated with resistance to anti-HER2 and anti-EGFR therapy, and solid tumors refractory to anti-PD-1 therapy have been shown to have higher HER3 expression compared to responders to anti-PD-1 therapy.
  • HER3-binding antibodies are described e.g. in Zhang et al., Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica (2016) 48(1): 39-48.
  • the anti-HER3 antibody LJM-716 binds to an epitope on subdomains II and IV of the HER3 extracellular domain, locking HER3 in the inactive conformation (Garner et al., Cancer Res (2013) 73: 6024-6035).
  • MM-121 also known as seribantumab
  • Patritumab also known as U-1287 and AMG-888 also blocks binding of heregulins to HER3 (see e.g. Shimizu et al. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. (2017) 79(3):489-495.
  • RG7116 also known as lumretuzumab and RO-5479599 recognises an epitope in subdomain I of the HER3 extracellular domain (see e.g. Mirschberger et al. Cancer Research (2013) 73(16) 5183-5194).
  • KTN3379 binds to HER3 through interaction with amino acid residues in subdomain III (corresponding to the following positions of SEQ ID NO:1: Gly476, Pro477, Arg481, Gly452, Arg475, Ser450, Gly420, Ala451 , Gly419, Arg421, Thr394, Leu423, Arg426, Gly427, Lys356, Leu358, Leu358, Lys356, Ala330, Lys329 and Gly337), and Met310, Glu311 and Pro328 of subdomain II (see Lee et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 Oct 27; 112(43):13225).
  • AV-203 (also known as CAN-017) has been shown to block binding of NRG1 to HER3 and to promote HER3 degradation (see Meetze et al., Eur J Cancer 2012; 48:126).
  • REGN1400 also inhibits binding of ligand to HER3 (see Zhang et al., Mol Cancer Ther (2014) 13:1345-1355).
  • RG7597 (duligotuzumab) is a dual action Fab (DAF) capable of binding to both HER3 and EGFR, and binds to subdomain III of HER3 (see Schaefer et al., Cancer Cell (2011) 20(4):472-486).
  • MM-111 and MM-141 are bispecific antibodies having HER3-binding arms which inhibit HRG ligand binding to HER3 (see McDonagh et al. Mol Cancer Ther (2012) 11:582-593 and Fitzgerald et al., Mol Cancer Ther (2014) 13:410-425).
  • compositions comprising antigen-binding molecules which are capable of binding to HER3.
  • the compositions find use in the treatment of cancers and cancer cells that express HER3.
  • the disclosure provides a composition comprising an antigen-binding molecule which is capable of binding to HER3.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises:
  • VH heavy chain variable
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:43
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 ;
  • VL light chain variable
  • LC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:91
  • LC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:94
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:99.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises:
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:45
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48;
  • LC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:88
  • LC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:92
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:95.
  • the composition comprises:
  • the composition comprises:
  • the composition comprises 20 mM histidine, 8% (w/v) sucrose; 0.02% (w/v) polysorbate-80, and has a pH 5.8.
  • the composition comprises at least 1.2 mg/mL of the antigen-binding molecule. In some embodiments, the composition comprises up to 50 mg/mL of the antigen-binding molecule. In some embodiments, the composition comprises 1.2 mg/mL to 50 mg/mL of the antigen-binding molecule.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises: a VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; and a VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:83.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises: a VH region incorporating the following framework regions (FRs):
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:53
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:59
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:66
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:71.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises: a VL region incorporating the following framework regions (FRs):
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:125.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:171. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule comprises a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:177.
  • composition according to the present disclosure for use as a medicament. Also provided is a composition according to the present disclosure, for use in a method of treating or preventing a cancer in a subject.
  • composition according to the present disclosure in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing a cancer in a subject.
  • the cancer comprises cells that express HER3, EGFR, HER2, HER4, NRG1, NRG2, and/or a ligand for HER3. In some embodiments, the cancer comprises cells having a mutation resulting in increased expression of a ligand for HER3. In some embodiments, the cancer comprises cells having an NRG gene fusion.
  • the NRG gene fusion is selected from CLU-NRG1, CD74-NRG1, DOC4-NRG1, SLC3A2-NRG1, RBPMS-NRG1, WRN-NRG1, SDC4-NRG1, RAB2IL1- NRG1, VAMP2-NRG1, KIF13B-NRG1, THAP7-NRG1, SMAD4-NRG1, MDK-NRG1, TNC-NRG1, DIP2B- NRG1, MRPL13-NRG1, PARP8-NRG1, ROCK1-NRG1, DPYSL2-NRG1, ATP1B1-NRG1, CDH6-NRG1, APP-NRG1, AKAP13-NRG1, THBS1-NRG1, FOXA1-NRG1, PDE7A- NRG1, RAB3IL1-NRG1, CDK1- NRG1, BMPRIB-NRG1, TNFRSF10B-NRG1, MCPH1-NRG1 and SLC12A2-NRG2.
  • the cancer derives from the lung, breast, head, neck, kidney, ovary, cervix, pancreas, stomach, liver, oesophagus, prostate, uterus, gallbladder, colon, rectum, bladder, soft tissue or nasopharynx.
  • the cancer is selected from lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, invasive mucinous lung adenocarcinoma, lung squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer, breast carcinoma, breast invasive carcinoma, head and neck cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, renal cancer, renal clear cell carcinoma, ovarian cancer, ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, prostate cancer, prostate adenocarcinoma, castration resistant prostate cancer, endometrial cancer, uterine carcinosarcoma, gallbladder cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, RAS wild type colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), oesophageal cancer, bladder cancer, urothelial bladder cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer,
  • HCC
  • the method comprises a step of detecting cancer cells expressing HER3, EGFR, HER2, HER4, NRG1 , NRG2, a ligand for HER3 and/or an NRG gene fusion in the subject.
  • the method comprises a step of obtaining the cells from the subject.
  • the cells have been obtained from the subject.
  • the detection step is performed on an in vitro sample and/or is performed in vitro.
  • the subject is selected for treatment with the composition when cancer cells expressing HER3, EGFR, HER2, HER4, NRG1, NRG2, a ligand for HER3 and/or an NRG gene fusion are detected.
  • the composition is administered in combination with one or more of: a HER2- targeted therapy, an EGFR-targeted therapy, and/or an androgen receptor-targeted therapy. In some embodiments, the composition is administered in combination with one or more of cetuximab, enzalutamide and/or trastuzumab.
  • an antigen-binding molecule which is capable of binding to HER3 for use in a method of treating or preventing a cancer in a subject, wherein the antigen-binding molecule comprises:
  • VH heavy chain variable
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:43
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 ;
  • VL light chain variable
  • LC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:91
  • LC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:94
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:99.
  • an antigen-binding molecule which is capable of binding to HER3 in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing a cancer in a subject, wherein the antigen-binding molecule comprises:
  • VH heavy chain variable
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:43
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:51;
  • VL light chain variable
  • LC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:91
  • LC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:94
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:99.
  • Also provided is a method of treating or preventing a cancer in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of an antigen-binding molecule which is capable of binding to HER3 to the subject, and wherein the antigen-binding molecule comprises:
  • VH heavy chain variable
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:43
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 ;
  • VL light chain variable
  • LC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:91
  • LC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:94
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:99.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises:
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:45
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48;
  • LC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:88
  • LC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:92
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:95.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises: a VH region incorporating the following framework regions (FRs):
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:53
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:59
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:66
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:71.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises: a VL region incorporating the following framework regions (FRs):
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104
  • LC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:110
  • LC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 120
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:125.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a heavy chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:171. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule comprises a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:177.
  • the cancer comprises cells that express HER3, EGFR, HER2, HER4, NRG1, NRG2, and/or a ligand for HER3. In some embodiments, the cancer comprises cells having a mutation resulting in increased expression of a ligand for HER3. In some embodiments, the cancer comprises cells having an NRG gene fusion.
  • the NRG gene fusion is selected from CLU-NRG1, CD74-NRG1, DOC4-NRG1, SLC3A2-NRG1, RBPMS-NRG1, WRN-NRG1, SDC4-NRG1, RAB2IL1- NRG1, VAMP2-NRG1, KIF13B-NRG1, THAP7-NRG1, SMAD4-NRG1, MDK-NRG1, TNC-NRG1, DIP2B- NRG1, MRPL13-NRG1, PARP8-NRG1, ROCK1-NRG1, DPYSL2-NRG1, ATP1B1-NRG1, CDH6-NRG1, APP-NRG1, AKAP13-NRG1, THBS1-NRG1, FOXA1-NRG1, PDE7A- NRG1, RAB3IL1-NRG1 , CDK1- NRG1, BMPRIB-NRG1, TNFRSF10B-NRG1, MCPH1-NRG1 and SLC12A2-NR
  • the cancer derives from the lung, breast, head, neck, kidney, ovary, cervix, pancreas, stomach, liver, oesophagus, prostate, uterus, gallbladder, colon, rectum, bladder, soft tissue or nasopharynx.
  • the cancer is selected from lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, invasive mucinous lung adenocarcinoma, lung squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer, breast carcinoma, breast invasive carcinoma, head and neck cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, renal cancer, renal clear cell carcinoma, ovarian cancer, ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, prostate cancer, prostate adenocarcinoma, castration resistant prostate cancer, endometrial cancer, uterine carcinosarcoma, gallbladder cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, RAS wild type colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), oesophageal cancer, bladder cancer, urothelial bladder cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer,
  • HCC
  • the method comprises a step of detecting cancer cells expressing HER3, EGFR, HER2, HER4, NRG1 , NRG2, a ligand for HER3 and/or an NRG gene fusion in the subject.
  • the method comprises a step of obtaining the cells from the subject.
  • the cells have been obtained from the subject.
  • the detection step is performed on an in vitro sample and/or is performed in vitro.
  • the subject is selected for treatment with the antigen-binding molecule when cancer cells expressing HER3, EGFR, HER2, HER4, NRG1, NRG2, a ligand for HER3 and/or an NRG gene fusion are detected.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is administered in combination with one or more of: a HER2-targeted therapy, an EGFR-targeted therapy, and/or an androgen receptor-targeted therapy. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is administered in combination with one or more of cetuximab, enzalutamide and/or trastuzumab.
  • composition or antigen-binding molecule according to the present disclosure is administered once every 7 days, once every 14 days, once every 21 days or once every 28 days.
  • a composition or antigen-binding molecule according to the present disclosure is administered four times every 28 days, twice every 28 days, or three times every 21 days, e.g. for one or multiple periods of 21 or 28 days. In some embodiments, a composition or antigen-binding molecule according to the present disclosure is administered over 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more periods of 21 or 28 days.
  • treatment according to the present disclosure comprises administering 150 mg to 3000 mg of antigen-binding molecule per administration and/or over each period of 21 or 28 days.
  • treatment according to the present disclosure comprises administering 1800-2500 mg of antigen-binding molecule per administration.
  • treatment according to the present disclosure comprises administering at least 600 mg, at least 900 mg, at least 1200 mg, at least 1500 mg, at least 1800 mg, at least 2100, at least 2400 mg, at least 2700 mg, at least 3000 mg, at least 3300 mg, at least 3600 mg, at least 3900 mg, at least 4200 mg, at least 4500 mg, at least 4800 mg, at least 5100 mg, at least 5400 mg, at least 5700 mg, at least 6000 mg, at least 6300 mg, at least 6600 mg, at least 6900 mg, at least 7200 mg, at least 7500 mg, at least 7800 mg, at least 8100 mg, at least 8400 mg, at least 8700 mg, at least 9000 mg, at least 9300 mg, at least 9600 mg, at least 9900 mg, at least 10200 mg, at least 10500 mg, at least 10800 mg, at least 11100 mg,
  • treatment according to the present disclosure comprises administering about 3600 mg of antigen-binding molecule in total every 21 days or about 4800 mg of antigen-binding molecule in total every 28 days. In some embodiments, treatment according to the present disclosure comprises administering about 5400 mg of antigen-binding molecule in total every 21 or about 7200 mg of antigen- binding molecule in total every 28 days. In some embodiments, treatment according to the present disclosure comprises administering about 6300 mg of antigen-binding molecule in total every 21 or about 8400 mg of antigen-binding molecule in total every 28 days. In some embodiments, treatment according to the present disclosure comprises administering about 9000 mg of antigen-binding molecule in total every 21 or about 12000 mg of antigen-binding molecule in total every 28 days.
  • the antigen-binding molecule may be administered in multiple doses (e.g. once per week) to reach a total amount of antigen-binding molecule per 21 or 28 days.
  • treatment according to the present disclosure comprises administering at least 150 mg, at least 300 mg, at least 600 mg, at least 900 mg, at least 1200 mg, at least 1500 mg, at least 1800 mg, at least 2100 mg, at least 2400, or at least 2800mg of antigen-binding molecule every 7 or 14 days (once every week or once every 2 weeks). In some embodiments, treatment according to the present disclosure comprises administering 1500 mg to 3000 mg of antigen-binding molecule every 7 or 14 days (once every week or once every 2 weeks). In some embodiments, treatment according to the present disclosure comprises administering 1800 mg to 2500 mg of antigen-binding molecule every 7 or 14 days (once every week or once every 2 weeks).
  • treatment according to the present disclosure comprises administering about 1200 mg of antigen-binding molecule every 7 or 14 days (once every week or once every 2 weeks). In some embodiments, treatment according to the present disclosure comprises administering about 1500 mg of antigen-binding molecule every 7 or 14 days (once every week or once every 2 weeks). In some embodiments, treatment according to the present disclosure comprises administering about 1800 mg of antigen-binding molecule every 7 or 14 days (once every week or once every 2 weeks). In some embodiments, treatment according to the present disclosure comprises administering about 2100 mg of antigen-binding molecule every 7 or 14 days (once every week or once every 2 weeks).
  • administration of antigen-binding molecule every 7 days is performed for at least 21 or at least 28 days. In some embodiments, administration of antigen-binding molecule every 7 days (e.g. as above) is performed for 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 or more weeks, or for 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30 or more weeks.
  • Antibodies of the first class bind to domains I and/or III of HER3, and thereby competitively inhibit ligand binding to HER3.
  • Seribantumab (MM-121) is a representative member of this class, and other members include patritumab (U3-1287 or AMG-888), lumretuzumab (RG-7116), AV-203, GSK2849330 and REGN1400.
  • Antibodies of the second class lock HER3 in an inactive conformation, through binding to the interface between domains II and IV, or between domains II and III.
  • LJM-716 is a representative example of this class, as is KTN3379.
  • HER3 Overexpression of HER3 is frequently observed in multiple tumour types and is associated with a poorer clinical outcome. Enhanced expression of HER3 is found in colorectal carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and breast, gastric, ovarian, prostate, and bladder cancers. The impact of HER3 overexpression is greater in cancers where HER2 is also overexpressed e.g. breast, gastric and ovarian. HER3 is the preferred heterodimeric partner for EGFR in melanoma and pancreatic carcinoma. Up-regulation of HER3 expression and activity is associated with resistance to multiple pathway inhibitors and associated with a poor prognosis.
  • the present invention relates to novel HER3-binding molecules having improved properties as compared to known anti-HER3 antibodies.
  • the inventors undertook the targeted generation of antigen-binding molecules which bind to particular regions of interest in the extracellular region of HER3.
  • the HER3-binding molecules of the present invention are provided with combinations of desirable biophysical and/or functional properties as compared to antigen-binding molecules disclosed in the prior art.
  • the antigen binding molecules are capable of binding to the subdomain II of the extracellular region of HER3 (SEQ ID NO:16), and inhibit association of the bound HER3 molecule with interaction partners.
  • HER3-binding antigen-binding molecules described herein are demonstrated to bind to an epitope of HER3 providing for (i) potent inhibition of association of HER3 with interaction partners (e.g. EGFR, HER2) and (ii) high-affinity binding to HER3 both in the presence and absence of NRG ligand.
  • This unique combination of properties provides for strong inhibition of downstream signalling and exceptional anti-cancer activity against a wide range of cancers.
  • HER3 also known e.g. as ERBB3 LCCS2, MDA-BF-1 is the protein identified by UniProt P21860.
  • the N-terminal 19 amino acids of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 3 constitute a signal peptide, and so the mature form of HER3 isoforms 1, 2 and 3 (i.e. after processing to remove the signal peptide) have the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NOs:6, 7 and 8, respectively.
  • HER3 The structure and function of HER3 is described e.g. in Cho and Leahy Science (2002) 297 (5585): 1330- 1333, Singer et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry (2001 ) 276, 44266-44274, Roskoski et al., Pharmacol. Res. (2014) 79: 34-74, Bazley and Gullick Endocrine-Related Cancer (2005) S17-S27 and Mujoo et al., Oncotarget (2014) 5(21 ): 10222-10236, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
  • HER3 is a single-pass transmembrane ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase having an N-terminal extracellular region (SEQ ID NO:9) comprising two leucine-rich subdomains (domains I and III, shown in SEQ ID NOs:15 and 17, respectively) and two cysteine-rich subdomains (domains II and IV, shown in SEQ ID NOs:16 and 18, respectively).
  • Domain II comprises a P hairpin dimerisation loop (SEQ ID NO:19) which is involved in intermolecular interaction with other HER receptor molecules.
  • the extracellular region is linked via a transmembrane region (SEQ ID NQ:10) to a cytoplasmic region (SEQ ID NO:11 ).
  • the cytoplasmic region comprises a juxtamembrane segment (SEQ ID NO: 12), a protein kinase domain (SEQ ID NO:13), and a C-terminal segment (SEQ ID NO:14).
  • HER3 Signalling through HER3 involves receptor homodimerisation (i.e. with other HER3 receptors) or heterodimerisation (with other HER receptors, e.g. HER2) and consequent autophosphorylation by the protein kinase domain of tyrosines of the cytoplasmic region.
  • the phosphorylated tyrosine residues recruit adaptor/effector proteins (e.g. Grb2 and phospholipase Cy (PLCy), containing src homology domain 2 (SH2) or phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domains.
  • adaptor/effector proteins e.g. Grb2 and phospholipase Cy (PLCy
  • SH2 src homology domain 2
  • PTB phosphotyrosine binding
  • HER3 receptor molecules are normally expressed at the cell surface as monomers with a conformation which prevents receptor dimerisation in which the dimerisation loop of subdomain II makes intramolecular contact with a pocket on subdomain IV.
  • a HER3 ligand such as a neuregulin (NRG), e.g. NRG1 (also known as heregulin, HRG) or NRG2 to subdomains I and III of the extracellular region causes a conformational change which results in the exposure of the dimerisation loop of subdomain II, facilitating receptor dimerisation and signalling.
  • NRG neuregulin
  • HRG heregulin
  • HER3 refers to HER3 from any species and includes HER3 isoforms, fragments, variants (including mutants) or homologues from any species.
  • a “fragment”, “variant” or “homologue” of a protein may optionally be characterised as having at least 60%, preferably one of 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of the reference protein (e.g. a reference isoform).
  • fragments, variants, isoforms and homologues of a reference protein may be characterised by ability to perform a function performed by the reference protein.
  • a “fragment” generally refers to a fraction of the reference protein.
  • a “variant” generally refers to a protein having an amino acid sequence comprising one or more amino acid substitutions, insertions, deletions or other modifications relative to the amino acid sequence of the reference protein, but retaining a considerable degree of sequence identity (e.g. at least 60%) to the amino acid sequence of the reference protein.
  • An “isoform” generally refers to a variant of the reference protein expressed by the same species as the species of the reference protein (e.g. HER3 isoforms 1 to 5 are all isoforms of one another).
  • a “homologue” generally refers to a variant of the reference protein produced by a different species as compared to the species of the reference protein.
  • human HER3 isoform 1 P21860-1, v1; SEQ ID NO:1
  • Rhesus macaque HER3 (UniProt: F7HEH3-1, v2; SEQ ID NO:20) are homologues of one another. Homologues include orthologues.
  • a “fragment” of a reference protein may be of any length (by number of amino acids), although may optionally be at least 20% of the length of the reference protein (that is, the protein from which the fragment is derived) and may have a maximum length of one of 50%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% of the length of the reference protein.
  • a fragment of HER3 may have a minimum length of one of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200 amino acids, and may have a maximum length of one of 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, or 1300 amino acids.
  • the HER3 is HER3 from a mammal (e.g. a primate (rhesus, cynomolgous, non- human primate or human) and/or a rodent (e.g. rat or murine) HER3).
  • Isoforms, fragments, variants or homologues of HER3 may optionally be characterised as having at least 70%, preferably one of 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of an immature or mature HER3 isoform from a given species, e.g. human.
  • Isoforms, fragments, variants or homologues may optionally be functional isoforms, fragments, variants or homologues, e.g. having a functional property/activity of the reference HER3 (e.g. human HER3 isoform 1 ), as determined by analysis by a suitable assay for the functional property/activity.
  • an isoform, fragment, variant or homologue of HER3 may display association with one or more of: HER2, NRG1 (type I, II, III, IV, V or VI) or NRG2 (a or P).
  • the HER3 comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to one of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 8.
  • a fragment of HER3 comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to one of SEQ ID NOs:9 to 19, e.g. one of 9, 16 or 19.
  • the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention were specifically designed to target regions of HER3 of particular interest.
  • HER3 regions to be targeted were selected following analysis for predicted antigenicity, function and safety.
  • Antibodies specific for the target regions of HER3 were then prepared using peptides corresponding to the target regions as immunogens to raise specific monoclonal antibodies, and subsequent screening identified antibodies capable of binding to HER3 in the native state. This approach provides extraordinar control over the antibody epitope.
  • the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention may be defined by reference to the region of HER3 to which they bind.
  • the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention may bind to a particular region of interest of HER3.
  • the antigen-binding molecule may bind to a linear epitope of HER3, consisting of a contiguous sequence of amino acids (i.e. an amino acid primary sequence).
  • the antigen-binding molecule may bind to a conformational epitope of HER3, consisting of a discontinuous sequence of amino acids of the amino acid sequence.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention binds to HER3. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule binds to the extracellular region of HER3 (e.g. the region shown in SEQ ID NO:9). In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule binds to subdomain II of the extracellular region of HER3 (e.g. the region shown in SEQ ID NO: 16).
  • the antigen-binding molecule binds to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:229. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:229. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule binds to the regions of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NQs:230 and 231. In some embodiments the antigen- binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the regions of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NQs:230 and 231. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule binds to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NQ:230.
  • the antigen-binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NQ:230. In some embodiments, the antigen- binding molecule binds to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:231 . In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:231. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule binds to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:23. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:23.
  • the antigen-binding molecule binds to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:21. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:21. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule binds to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO: 19. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:19. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule binds to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:22. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:22.
  • the antigen-binding molecule does not bind to the region of HER3 corresponding to positions 260 to 279 of SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule does not contact an amino acid residue of the region of HER3 corresponding to positions 260 to 279 of SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule does not bind to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:23. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule does not contact an amino acid residue of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:23.
  • the region of a peptide/polypeptide to which an antibody binds can be determined by the skilled person using various methods well known in the art, including X-ray co-crystallography analysis of antibody- antigen complexes, peptide scanning, mutagenesis mapping, hydrogen-deuterium exchange analysis by mass spectrometry, phage display, competition ELISA and proteolysis-based ‘protection’ methods. Such methods are described, for example, in Gershoni et al., BioDrugs, 2007, 21(3):145-156, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding the same region of HER3, or an overlapping region of HER3, to the region of HER3 which is bound by an antibody comprising the VH and VL sequences of one of antibody clones 10D1, 10D1_c75, 10D1_c76, 10D1_c77, 10D1_c78v1, 10D1_c78v2, 10D1_11B, 10D1_c85v1, 10D1_c85v2, 10D1_c85o1, 10D1_c85o2, 10D1_c87, 10D1_c89, 10D1_c90, 10D1_c91 , 10D1_c92, 10D1_c93, 10A6, 4-35-B2 or 4-35-B4 described herein.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding the same region of HER3, or an overlapping region of HER3, to the region of HER3 which is bound by an antibody comprising the VH and VL sequences of one of antibody clones 10D1_c89, 10D1_c90 or 10D1_c91. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding the same region of HER3, or an overlapping region of HER3, to the region of HER3 which is bound by an antibody comprising the VH and VL sequences of antibody clone 10D1_c89.
  • a “peptide” refers to a chain of two or more amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds.
  • a peptide typically has a length in the region of about 2 to 50 amino acids.
  • a “polypeptide” is a polymer chain of two or more peptides. Polypeptides typically have a length greater than about 50 amino acids.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is capable of binding to a polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of one of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 4, 6 or 8.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:9. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:229. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NQs:230 and 231. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:230.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:231. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:23. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:21. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:19. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is not capable of binding to a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence corresponding to positions 260 to 279 of SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is not capable of binding to a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:23.
  • an antigen-binding molecule to bind to a given peptide/polypeptide can be analysed by methods well known to the skilled person, including analysis by ELISA, immunoblot (e.g. western blot), immunoprecipitation, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR; see e.g. Hearty et al., Methods Mol Biol (2012) 907:411-442) or Bio-Layer Interferometry (see e.g. Lad et al., (2015) J Biomol Screen 20(4): 498-507).
  • ELISA immunoblot
  • SPR Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • Bio-Layer Interferometry see e.g. Lad et al., (2015) J Biomol Screen 20(4): 498-507.
  • the peptide/polypeptide may comprise one or more additional amino acids at one or both ends of the reference amino acid sequence.
  • the peptide/polypeptide comprises e.g. 1-5, 1-10, 1-20, 1-30, 1-40, 1-50, 5-10, 5-20, 5-30, 5-40, 5-50, ID- 20, 10-30, 10-40, 10-50, 20-30, 20-40 or 20-50 additional amino acids at one or both ends of the reference amino acid sequence.
  • the additional amino acid(s) provided at one or both ends (i.e. the N-terminal and C-terminal ends) of the reference sequence correspond to the positions at the ends of the reference sequence in the context of the amino acid sequence of HER3.
  • the additional two amino acids may be threonine and lysine, corresponding to positions 278 and 279 of SEQ ID NO:1.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide which is bound by an antibody comprising the VH and VL sequences of one of antibody clones 10D1 , 10D1_c75, 10D1_c76, 10D1_c77, 10D1_c78v1, 10D1_c78v2, 10D1_11 B, 10D1_c85v1, 10D1_c85v2, 10D1_c85o1, 10D1_c85o2, 10D1_c87, 10D1_c89, 10D1_c90, 10D1_c91, 10D1_c92, 10D1_c93, 10A6, 4-35-B2 or 4-35-B4 described herein.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide which is bound by an antibody comprising the VH and VL sequences of one of antibody clones 10D1_c89, 10D1_c90 or 10D1_c91 . In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide which is bound by an antibody comprising the VH and VL sequences of antibody clone 10D1_c89.
  • the present invention provides antigen-binding molecules capable of binding to HER3.
  • an “antigen-binding molecule” refers to a molecule which is capable of binding to a target antigen, and encompasses monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, monospecific and multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies), and antibody fragments (e.g. Fv, scFv, Fab, scFab, F(ab’)2, Fab2, diabodies, triabodies, scFv-Fc, minibodies, single domain antibodies (e.g. VhH), etc.), as long as they display binding to the relevant target molecule(s).
  • monospecific and multispecific antibodies e.g., bispecific antibodies
  • antibody fragments e.g. Fv, scFv, Fab, scFab, F(ab’)2, Fab2, diabodies, triabodies, scFv-Fc, minibodies, single domain antibodies (e.g. VhH), etc.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises a moiety capable of binding to a target antigen(s).
  • the moiety capable of binding to a target antigen comprises an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) and an antibody light chain variable region (VL) of an antibody capable of specific binding to the target antigen.
  • the moiety capable of binding to a target antigen comprises or consists of an aptamer capable of binding to the target antigen, e.g. a nucleic acid aptamer (reviewed, for example, in Zhou and Rossi Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2017 16(3):181- 202).
  • the moiety capable of binding to a target antigen comprises or consists of a antigen-binding peptide/polypeptide, e.g. a peptide aptamer, thioredoxin, monobody, anticalin, Kunitz domain, avimer, knottin, fynomer, atrimer, DARPin, affibody, nanobody (i.e. a single-domain antibody (sdAb)) affilin, armadillo repeat protein (ArmRP), OBody or fibronectin - reviewed e.g. in Reverdatto et al., Curr Top Med Chem.
  • a antigen-binding peptide/polypeptide e.g. a peptide aptamer, thioredoxin, monobody, anticalin, Kunitz domain, avimer, knottin, fynomer, atrimer, DARPin, affibody, nanobody (i.e. a single-domain
  • the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention generally comprise an antigen-binding domain comprising a VH and a VL of an antibody capable of specific binding to the target antigen.
  • the antigen- binding domain formed by a VH and a VL may also be referred to herein as an Fv region.
  • An antigen-binding molecule may be, or may comprise, an antigen-binding polypeptide, or an antigen- binding polypeptide complex.
  • An antigen-binding molecule may comprise more than one polypeptide which together form an antigen-binding domain.
  • the polypeptides may associate covalently or non- covalently. In some embodiments the polypeptides form part of a larger polypeptide comprising the polypeptides (e.g. in the case of scFv comprising VH and VL, or in the case of scFab comprising VH-CH1 and VL-CL).
  • An antigen-binding molecule may refer to a non-covalent or covalent complex of more than one polypeptide (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 6, or 8 polypeptides), e.g. an IgG-like antigen-binding molecule comprising two heavy chain polypeptides and two light chain polypeptides.
  • polypeptide e.g. 2, 3, 4, 6, or 8 polypeptides
  • IgG-like antigen-binding molecule comprising two heavy chain polypeptides and two light chain polypeptides.
  • the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention may be designed and prepared using the sequences of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) capable of binding to HER3.
  • Antigen-binding regions of antibodies such as single chain variable fragment (scFv), Fab and F(ab’)2 fragments may also be used/provided.
  • An “antigen-binding region” is any fragment of an antibody which is capable of binding to the target for which the given antibody is specific.
  • Antibodies generally comprise six complementarity-determining regions CDRs; three in the heavy chain variable (VH) region: HC-CDR1, HC-CDR2 and HC-CDR3, and three in the light chain variable (VL) region: LC-CDR1, LC-CDR2, and LC-CDR3.
  • the six CDRs together define the paratope of the antibody, which is the part of the antibody which binds to the target antigen.
  • VH region and VL region comprise framework regions (FRs) either side of each CDR, which provide a scaffold for the CDRs.
  • FRs framework regions
  • VH regions comprise the following structure: N term-[HC-FR1]-[HC-CDR1]-[HC-FR2]-[HC-CDR2]-[HC-FR3]-[HC-CDR3]-[HC-FR4]-C term; and VL regions comprise the following structure: N term-[LC-FR1]-[LC-CDR1]-[LC-FR2]-[LC-CDR2]-[LC-FR3]- [LC-CDR3]-[LC-FR4]-C term.
  • the CDRs and FRs of the VH regions and VL regions of the antibody clones described herein were defined according to the international IMGT (ImMunoGeneTics) information system (LeFranc et al., Nucleic Acids Res. (2015) 43 (Database issue):D413-22), which uses the IMGT V-DOMAIN numbering rules as described in Lefranc et al., Dev. Comp. Immunol. (2003) 27:55-77.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises the CDRs of an antigen-binding molecule which is capable of binding to HER3. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule comprises the FRs of an antigen-binding molecule which is capable of binding to HER3. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule comprises the CDRs and the FRs of an antigen-binding molecule which is capable of binding to HER3. That is, in some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule comprises the VH region and the VL region of an antigen-binding molecule which is capable of binding to HER3.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a VH region and a VL region which is, or which is derived from, the VH/VL region of a HER3-binding antibody clone described herein (i.e. anti- HER3 antibody clones 10D1_c75, 10D1_c76, 10D1_c77, 10D1_c78v1, 10D1_c78v2, 10D1_11B, 10D1_c85v1, 10D1_c85v2, 10D1_c85o1, 10D1_c85o2, 10D1_c87, 10D1_c89, 10D1_c90, 10D1_c91, 10D1_c92, 10D1_c93, 10D1, 10A6, 4-35-B2 or 4-35-B4; e.g. 10D1_c89, 10D1_c90 or 10D1_c91; e.g. 10D1_c89).
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a VH region according to one of (1) to (10) below:
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:43
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:51, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-CDR1, HC- CDR2, or HC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:47, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-CDR1, HC- CDR2, or HC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:45
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:47, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-CDR1, HC- CDR2, or HC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:45
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:49, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-CDR1 , HC- CDR2, or HC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:45
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:50, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-CDR1, HC- CDR2, or HC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:45
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-CDR1 , HC- CDR2, or HC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:45
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-CDR1, HC- CDR2, or HC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:158
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 159
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:160, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-CDR1 , HC- CDR2, or HC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:128
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 129
  • HC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:130, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-CDR1, HC- CDR2, or HC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:144
  • HC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:145
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a VH region according to one of (11) to
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:55
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:69
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:73, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-FR1 , HC-FR2, HC-FR3, or HC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:61
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:70, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-FR1 , HC-FR2, HC-FR3, or HC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:70, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-FR1 , HC-FR2, HC-FR3, or HC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:57
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:70, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-FR1 , HC-FR2, HC-FR3, or HC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:224
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:60
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:63
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:70, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-FR1 , HC-FR2, HC-FR3, or HC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • (10D1_c85v1) a VH region incorporating the following FRs:
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:70, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-FR1 , HC-FR2, HC-FR3, or HC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:57
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:70, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-FR1, HC-FR2, HC-FR3, or HC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:65
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:70, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-FR1 , HC-FR2, HC-FR3, or HC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:53
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:59
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:66
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:71, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-FR1 , HC-FR2, HC-FR3, or HC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:59
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:67
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:71, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-FR1 , HC-FR2, HC-FR3, or HC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:53
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:59
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:68
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:72, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-FR1 , HC-FR2, HC-FR3, or HC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:161
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 162
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 163
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:73, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-FR1 , HC-FR2, HC-FR3, or HC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:131
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 132
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 133
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:134, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-FR1 , HC-FR2, HC-FR3, or HC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • HC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:147
  • HC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:148
  • HC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:149
  • HC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:73, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of HC-FR1 , HC-FR2, HC-FR3, or HC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a VH region comprising the CDRs according to one of (1 ) to (10) above, and the FRs according to one of (11 ) to (24) above.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a VH region according to one of (25) to
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a VH region according to one of (42) to (61) below:
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:25.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26.
  • a VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:27.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:29.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:30.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:31.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:33.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:35.
  • a VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36.
  • a VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:39.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:40.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:127.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:143.
  • VH region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:157.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a VL region according to one of (62) to (71 ) below:
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:99; or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-CDR1 , LC- CDR2 or LC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:88
  • LC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:92
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:95; or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-CDR1, LC- CDR2 or LC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:95; or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-CDR1 , LC- CDR2 or LC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:96; or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-CDR1 , LC- CDR2 or LC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:95; or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-CDR1 , LC- CDR2 or LC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:97; or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-CDR1 , LC- CDR2 or LC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:98; or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-CDR1 , LC- CDR2 or LC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:166
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:167; or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-CDR1 , LC- CDR2 or LC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:138; or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-CDR1 , LC- CDR2 or LC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:153; or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-CDR1 , LC- CDR2 or LC-CDR3 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a VL region according to one of (72) to (86) below:
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 106
  • LC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:126, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1, LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 100
  • LC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 107
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:124, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1, LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 108
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:124, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1, LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102
  • LC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 108
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:124, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1, LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103
  • LC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 108
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:124, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1, LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103
  • LC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 108
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:124, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1, LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103
  • LC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 109
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:124, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1, LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:125, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1, LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 105
  • LC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:124, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1 , LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104
  • LC-FR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:125, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1 , LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 100
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:124, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1 , LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103
  • LC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 108
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:124, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1 , LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 168
  • LC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 169
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:142, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1 , LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:142, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1 , LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • LC-FR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154
  • LC-FR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 155
  • LC-FR4 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:142, or a variant thereof in which one or two or three amino acids in one or more of LC-FR1 , LC-FR2, LC-FR3, or LC-FR4 are substituted with another amino acid.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a VL region comprising the CDRs according to one of (62) to (71 ) above, and the FRs according to one of (72) to (86) above.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a VL region according to one of (87) to (102) below:
  • (87) a VL region comprising the CDRs according to (62) and the FRs according to (72), (73), (74), (75), (76), (77), (78), (79), (80), (81 ), (82), or (83).
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a VL region according to one of (103) to (119) below:
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:74.
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:75.
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:76.
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:77.
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:78.
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:79.
  • a VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:80.
  • a VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:81.
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:82.
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:83.
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:84.
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:85.
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:86.
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:87.
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:135.
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NQ:150.
  • VL region comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity more preferably one of at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:164.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a VH region according to any one of (1 ) to (61 ) above, and a VL region according to any one of (62) to (119) above.
  • the substitutions may be conservative substitutions, for example according to the following Table.
  • amino acids in the same block in the middle column are substituted.
  • amino acids in the same line in the rightmost column are substituted:
  • substitution(s) may be functionally conservative. That is, in some embodiments the substitution may not affect (or may not substantially affect) one or more functional properties (e.g. target binding) of the antigen-binding molecule comprising the substitution as compared to the equivalent unsubstituted molecule.
  • the VH and VL region of an antigen-binding region of an antibody together constitute the Fv region.
  • the antigen-binding molecule according to the present invention comprises, or consists of, an Fv region which binds to HER3.
  • the VH and VL regions of the Fv are provided as single polypeptide joined by a linker region, i.e. a single chain Fv (scFv).
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises one or more regions of an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant sequence.
  • the immunoglobulin heavy chain constant sequence is, or is derived from, the heavy chain constant sequence of an IgG (e.g. lgG1, lgG2, lgG3, lgG4), IgA (e.g. lgA1 , lgA2), IgD, IgE or IgM.
  • the immunoglobulin heavy chain constant sequence is human immunoglobulin G 1 constant (IGHG1; UniProt: P01857-1 , v1; SEQ ID NO:171). Positions 1 to 98 of SEQ ID NO:171 form the CH1 region (SEQ ID NO:172). Positions 99 to 110 of SEQ ID NO:171 form a hinge region between CH1 and CH2 regions (SEQ ID NO: 173). Positions 111 to 223 of SEQ ID NO: 171 form the CH2 region (SEQ ID NO:174). Positions 224 to 330 of SEQ ID NO:171 form the CH3 region (SEQ ID NO:175).
  • the exemplified antigen-binding molecules may be prepared using pFUSE-CHIg-hG1, which comprises the substitutions D356E, L358M (positions numbered according to EU numbering) in the CH3 region.
  • the amino acid sequence of the CH3 region encoded by pFUSE-CHIg-hG1 is shown in SEQ ID NO:176. It will be appreciated that CH3 regions may be provided with further substitutions in accordance with modification to an Fc region of the antigen-binding molecule as described herein.
  • a CH1 region comprises or consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:172, or a sequence having at least 60%, preferably one of 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:172.
  • a CH1-CH2 hinge region comprises or consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:173, or a sequence having at least 60%, preferably one of 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:173.
  • a CH2 region comprises or consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:174, or a sequence having at least 60%, preferably one of 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:174.
  • a CH3 region comprises or consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:175 or 176, or a sequence having at least 60%, preferably one of 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:175 or 176.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises one or more regions of an immunoglobulin light chain constant sequence.
  • the immunoglobulin light chain constant sequence is human immunoglobulin kappa constant (IGKC; CK; UniProt: P01834-1, v2; SEQ ID NO:177).
  • the immunoglobulin light chain constant sequence is a human immunoglobulin lambda constant (IGLC; CA), e.g. IGLC1, IGLC2, IGLC3, IGLC6 or IGLC7.
  • a CL region comprises or consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:177, or a sequence having at least 60%, preferably one of 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:177.
  • the VL and light chain constant (CL) region, and the VH region and heavy chain constant 1 (CH1) region of an antigen-binding region of an antibody together constitute the Fab region.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a Fab region comprising a VH, a CH1, a VL and a CL (e.g. CK or CA).
  • the Fab region comprises a polypeptide comprising a VH and a CH1 (e.g. a VH-CH1 fusion polypeptide), and a polypeptide comprising a VL and a CL (e.g. a VL-CL fusion polypeptide).
  • the Fab region comprises a polypeptide comprising a VH and a CL (e.g. a VH-CL fusion polypeptide) and a polypeptide comprising a VL and a CH (e.g. a VL-CH1 fusion polypeptide); that is, in some embodiments the Fab region is a CrossFab region.
  • the VH, CH1, VL and CL regions of the Fab or CrossFab are provided as single polypeptide joined by linker regions, i.e. as a single chain Fab (scFab) or a single chain CrossFab (scCrossFab).
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises, or consists of, a Fab region which binds to HER3.
  • the antigen-binding molecule described herein comprises, or consists of, a whole antibody which binds to HER3.
  • whole antibody refers to an antibody having a structure which is substantially similar to the structure of an immunoglobulin (Ig).
  • Ig immunoglobulin
  • Different kinds of immunoglobulins and their structures are described e.g. in Schroeder and Cavacini J Allergy Clin Immunol. (2010) 125(202): S41-S52, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • Immunoglobulins of type G i.e. IgG
  • IgG are -150 kDa glycoproteins comprising two heavy chains and two light chains.
  • the heavy chains comprise a VH followed by a heavy chain constant region comprising three constant domains (CH1, CH2, and CH3), and similarly the light chain comprise a VL followed by a CL.
  • immunoglobulins may be classed as IgG (e.g. lgG1, lgG2, lgG3, lgG4), IgA (e.g. lgA1, lgA2), IgD, IgE, or IgM.
  • the light chain may be kappa (K) or lambda (A).
  • the antigen-binding molecule described herein comprises, or consists of, an IgG (e.g. lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, lgG4), IgA (e.g. lgA1, lgA2), IgD, IgE, or IgM which binds to HER3.
  • IgG e.g. lgG1 , lgG2, lgG3, lgG4
  • IgA e.g. lgA1, lgA2
  • IgD IgE
  • IgM which binds to HER3.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is at least monovalent binding for HER3.
  • Binding valency refers to the number of binding sites in an antigen-binding molecule for a given antigenic determinant. Accordingly, in some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule comprises at least one binding site for HER3.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises more than one binding site for HER3, e.g. 2, 3 or 4 binding sites.
  • the binding sites may be the same or different.
  • the antigen- binding molecule is e.g. bivalent, trivalent or tetravalent for HER3.
  • multispecific antigen-binding molecules By “multispecific” it is meant that the antigen-binding molecule displays specific binding to more than one target.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is a bispecific antigen-binding molecule.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises at least two different antigen-binding domains (i.e. at least two antigen-binding domains, e.g. comprising non-identical VHs and VLs).
  • the antigen-binding molecule binds to HER3 and another target (e.g. an antigen other than HER3), and so is at least bispecific.
  • HER3 e.g. an antigen other than HER3
  • bispecific means that the antigen-binding molecule is able to bind specifically to at least two distinct antigenic determinants.
  • an antigen-binding molecule according to the present invention may comprise antigen-binding molecules capable of binding to the targets for which the antigen-binding molecule is specific.
  • an antigen-binding molecule which is capable of binding to HER3 and an antigen other than HER3 may comprise: (i) an antigen- binding molecule which is capable of binding to HER3, and (ii) an antigen-binding molecule which is capable of binding to an antigen other than HER3.
  • an antigen-binding molecule according to the present invention may comprise antigen-binding polypeptides or antigen-binding polypeptide complexes capable of binding to the targets for which the antigen-binding molecule is specific.
  • an antigen-binding molecule according to the invention may comprise e.g.
  • a component antigen-binding molecule of a larger antigen-binding molecule may be referred to e.g. as an “antigen-binding domain” or “antigen-binding region” of the larger antigen-binding molecule.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an antigen-binding molecule capable of binding to HER3, and an antigen-binding molecule capable of binding to an antigen other than HER3.
  • the antigen other than HER3 is an immune cell surface molecule.
  • the antigen other than HER3 is a cancer cell antigen.
  • the antigen other than HER3 is a receptor molecule, e.g. a cell surface receptor.
  • the antigen other than HER3 is a cell signalling molecule, e.g. a cytokine, chemokine, interferon, interleukin or lymphokine.
  • the antigen other than HER3 is a growth factor or a hormone.
  • a cancer cell antigen is an antigen which is expressed or over-expressed by a cancer cell.
  • a cancer cell antigen may be any peptide/polypeptide, glycoprotein, lipoprotein, glycan, glycolipid, lipid, or fragment thereof.
  • a cancer cell antigen’s expression may be associated with a cancer.
  • a cancer cell antigen may be abnormally expressed by a cancer cell (e.g. the cancer cell antigen may be expressed with abnormal localisation), or may be expressed with an abnormal structure by a cancer cell.
  • a cancer cell antigen may be capable of eliciting an immune response.
  • the antigen is expressed at the cell surface of the cancer cell (i.e. the cancer cell antigen is a cancer cell surface antigen).
  • the part of the antigen which is bound by the antigen-binding molecule described herein is displayed on the external surface of the cancer cell (i.e. is extracellular).
  • the cancer cell antigen may be a cancer-associated antigen.
  • the cancer cell antigen is an antigen whose expression is associated with the development, progression or severity of symptoms of a cancer.
  • the cancer- associated antigen may be associated with the cause or pathology of the cancer, or may be expressed abnormally as a consequence of the cancer.
  • the cancer cell antigen is an antigen whose expression is upregulated (e.g. at the RNA and/or protein level) by cells of a cancer, e.g.
  • the cancer-associated antigen may be preferentially expressed by cancerous cells, and not expressed by comparable non-cancerous cells (e.g. non-cancerous cells derived from the same tissue/cell type).
  • the cancer-associated antigen may be the product of a mutated oncogene or mutated tumor suppressor gene.
  • the cancer-associated antigen may be the product of an overexpressed cellular protein, a cancer antigen produced by an oncogenic virus, an oncofetal antigen, or a cell surface glycolipid or glycoprotein.
  • the antigen other than HER3 is an antigen expressed by cells of a HER3- associated cancer.
  • a HER3-associated cancer may be a cancer expressing HER3 (e.g. expressing HER3 protein at the cell surface); such cancers may be referred to as “HER3-positive” cancers.
  • HER3-associated cancers include cancers for which HER3 gene/protein expression is a risk factor for, and/or is positively associated with, the onset, development, progression or severity of symptoms of the cancer, and/or metastasis.
  • HER3-associated cancers include those described in Zhang et al., Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica (2016) 48(1):39-48 and Sithanandam and Anderson Cancer Gene Ther (2008) 15(7):413-448, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
  • a HER3-associated cancer may be a lung cancer (e.g. NSCLC), melanoma, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer or oral cavity cancer.
  • An immune cell surface molecule may be any peptide/polypeptide, glycoprotein, lipoprotein, glycan, glycolipid, lipid, or fragment thereof expressed at or on the cell surface of an immune cell.
  • the part of the immune cell surface molecule which is bound by the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is on the external surface of the immune cell (i.e. is extracellular).
  • the immune cell surface molecule may be expressed at the cell surface of any immune cell.
  • the immune cell may be a cell of hematopoietic origin, e.g. a neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil, dendritic cell, lymphocyte, or monocyte.
  • the lymphocyte may be e.g.
  • the immune cell surface molecule may be a costimulatory molecule (e.g. CD28, 0X40, 4-1 BB, ICOS or CD27) or a ligand thereof.
  • the immune cell surface molecule may be a checkpoint molecule (e.g. PD-1, CTLA-4, LAG-3, TIM-3, VISTA, TIGIT or BTLA) or a ligand thereof.
  • Multispecific antigen-binding molecules according to the invention may be provided in any suitable format, such as those formats described in described in Brinkmann and Kontermann MAbs (2017) 9(2): 182-212, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • Suitable formats include those shown in Figure 2 of Brinkmann and Kontermann MAbs (2017) 9(2): 182-212: antibody conjugates, e.g. lgG2, F(ab’)2 or CovX-Body; IgG or IgG-like molecules, e.g. IgG, chimeric IgG, xA-body common HC; CH1/CL fusion proteins, e.g.
  • scFv2-CH1/CL, VHH2-CH1/CL ‘variable domain only’ bispecific antigen-binding molecules, e.g. tandem scFv (taFV), triplebodies, diabodies (Db), dsDb, Db(kih), DART, scDB, dsFv-dsFv, tandAbs, triple heads, tandem dAb/VHH, tertravalent dAb.VHH;
  • Non-lg fusion proteins e.g.
  • scFv2-albumin scDb- albumin, taFv-albumin, taFv-toxin, miniantibody, DNL-Fab2, DNL-Fab2-scFv, DNL-Fab2-lgG-cytokine2, ImmTAC (TCR-scFv); modified Fc and CH3 fusion proteins, e.g.
  • Fab-scFv (bibody), Fab-scFv2 (tribody), Fab-Fv, Fab-dsFv, Fab-VHH, orthogonal Fab-Fab; non-lg fusion proteins, e.g. DNL-Fab 3 , DNL-Fab2-scFv, DNL- Fab2-lgG-cytokine2; asymmetric IgG or IgG-like molecules, e.g.
  • DAF two-in one-IgG
  • bispecific antigen-binding molecules The skilled person is able to design and prepare bispecific antigen-binding molecules.
  • Methods for producing bispecific antigen-binding molecules include chemically crosslinking of antigen-binding molecules or antibody fragments, e.g. with reducible disulphide or non-reducible thioether bonds, for example as described in Segal and Bast, 2001. Production of Bispecific Antigen-binding molecules. Current Protocols in Immunology. 14:IV:2.13:2.13.1- 2.13.16, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • SPDP A/-succinimidyl-3-(-2-pyridyldithio)-propionate
  • SPDP can be used to chemically crosslink e.g. Fab fragments via hinge region SH- groups, to create disulfide-linked bispecific F(ab)2 heterodimers.
  • bispecific antigen-binding molecules include fusing antibody-producing hybridomas e.g. with polyethylene glycol, to produce a quadroma cell capable of secreting bispecific antibody, for example as described in D. M. and Bast, B. J. 2001. Production of Bispecific Antigen-binding molecules. Current Protocols in Immunology. 14: IV:2.13:2.13.1 - 2.13.16.
  • Bispecific antigen-binding molecules according to the present invention can also be produced recombinantly, by expression from e.g. a nucleic acid construct encoding polypeptides for the antigen- binding molecules, for example as described in Antibody Engineering: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition (Humana Press, 2012), at Chapter 40: Production of Bispecific Antigen-binding molecules: Diabodies and Tandem scFv (Hornig and Farber-Schwarz), or French, How to make bispecific antigen- binding molecules, Methods Mol. Med. 2000; 40:333-339, the entire contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • a DNA construct encoding the light and heavy chain variable domains for the two antigen-binding fragments i.e. the light and heavy chain variable domains for the antigen-binding fragment capable of binding HER3, and the light and heavy chain variable domains for the antigen-binding fragment capable of binding to another target protein
  • sequences encoding a suitable linker or dimerization domain between the antigen-binding fragments can be prepared by molecular cloning techniques.
  • Recombinant bispecific antibody can thereafter be produced by expression (e.g. in vitro) of the construct in a suitable host cell (e.g. a mammalian host cell), and expressed recombinant bispecific antibody can then optionally be purified.
  • the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention comprise an Fc region.
  • an Fc region is composed of CH2 and CH3 regions from one polypeptide, and CH2 and CH3 regions from another polypeptide. The CH2 and CH3 regions from the two polypeptides together form the Fc region.
  • the Fc regions contain three constant domains (CH2, CH3 and CH4), and CH2 to CH4 from the two polypeptides together form the Fc region.
  • an Fc region comprises two polypeptides, each polypeptide comprising a CH2 region and a CH3 region.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises an Fc region comprising modification in one or more of the CH2 and CH3 regions promoting association of the Fc region.
  • Recombinant co-expression of constituent polypeptides of an antigen-binding molecule and subsequent association leads to several possible combinations.
  • modification(s) promoting association of the desired combination of heavy chain polypeptides.
  • Modifications may promote e.g. hydrophobic and/or electrostatic interaction between CH2 and/or CH3 regions of different polypeptide chains. Suitable modifications are described e.g. in Ha et al., Front. Immnol (2016) 7:394, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises an Fc region comprising paired substitutions in the CH3 regions of the Fc region according to one of the following formats, as shown in Table 1 of Ha et al., Front. Immnol (2016) 7:394: KiH, KiHs-s, HA-TF, ZW1, 7.8.60, DD-KK, EW-RVT, EW-RVTs-s, SEED or A107.
  • the Fc region comprises the “knob-into-hole” or “KiH” modification, e.g. as described e.g. in US 7,695,936 and Carter, J Immunol Meth 248, 7-15 (2001 ).
  • one of the CH3 regions of the Fc region comprises a “knob” modification
  • the other CH3 region comprises a “hole” modification.
  • the “knob” and “hole” modifications are positioned within the respective CH3 regions so that the “knob” can be positioned in the “hole” in order to promote heterodimerisation (and inhibit homodimerisation) of the polypeptides and/or stabilise heterodimers.
  • Knobs are constructed by substituting amino acids having small chains with those having larger side chains (e.g. tyrosine or tryptophan). Holes are created by substituting amino acids having large side chains with those having smaller side chains (e.g. alanine or threonine).
  • one of the CH3 regions of the Fc region of the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises the substitution (numbering of positions/substitutions in the Fc, CH2 and CH3 regions herein is according to the EU numbering system as described in Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 1991) T366W, and the other CH3 region of the Fc region comprises the substitution Y407V.
  • one of the CH3 regions of the Fc region of the antigen-binding molecule comprises the substitution T366W
  • the other CH3 region of the Fc region comprises the substitutions T366S and L368A.
  • one of the CH3 regions of the Fc region of the antigen-binding molecule comprises the substitution T366W, and the other CH3 region of the Fc region comprises the substitutions Y407V, T366S and L368A.
  • the Fc region comprises the “DD-KK” modification as described e.g. in WO 2014/131694 A1.
  • one of the CH3 regions comprises the substitutions K392D and K409D, and the other CH3 region of the Fc region comprises the substitutions E356K and D399K. The modifications promote electrostatic interaction between the CH3 regions.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises an Fc region modified as described in Labrijn et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (2013) 110(13):5145-50, referred to as ‘Duobody’ format.
  • one of the CH3 regions comprises the substitution K409R
  • the other CH3 region of the Fc region comprises the substitution K405L.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises an Fc region comprising the “EEE-RRR” modification as described in Strop et al., J Mol Biol. (2012) 420(3):204-19.
  • one of the CH3 regions comprises the substitutions D221E, P228E and L368E
  • the other CH3 region of the Fc region comprises the substitutions D221R, P228R and K409R.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising the “EW-RVT” modification described in Choi et al., Mol Cancer Ther (2013) 12(12):2748-59.
  • one of the CH3 regions comprises the substitutions K360E and K409W
  • the other CH3 region of the Fc region comprises the substitutions Q347R, D399V and F405T.
  • one of the CH3 regions comprises the substitution S354C
  • the other CH3 region of the Fc region comprises the substitution Y349C.
  • Introduction of these cysteine residues results in formation of a disulphide bridge between the two CH3 regions of the Fc region, further stabilizing the heterodimer (Carter (2001), J Immunol Methods 248, 7-15).
  • the Fc region comprises the “KiHs-s” modification.
  • one of the CH3 regions comprises the substitutions T366W and S354C, and the other CH3 region of the Fc region comprises the substitutions T366S, L368A, Y407V and Y349C.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises an Fc region comprising the “SEED” modification as described in Davis et al., Protein Eng Des Sei (2010) 23(4):195- 202, in which p-strand segments of human IgG 1 CH3 and IgA CH3 are exchanged.
  • one of the CH3 regions comprises the substitutions S364H and F405A
  • the other CH3 region of the Fc region comprises the substitutions Y349T and T394F (see e.g. Moore et al., MAbs (2011) 3(6):546-57).
  • one of the CH3 regions comprises the substitutions T350V, L351Y, F405A and Y407V
  • the other CH3 region of the Fc region comprises the substitutions T350V, T366L, K392L and T394W (see e.g. Von Kreudenstein et al., MAbs (2013) 5(5):646-54).
  • one of the CH3 regions comprises the substitutions K360D, D399M and Y407A
  • the other CH3 region of the Fc region comprises the substitutions E345R, Q347R, T366V and K409V (see e.g. Leaver-Fay et al., Structure (2016) 24(4):641-51).
  • one of the CH3 regions comprises the substitutions K370E and K409W
  • the other CH3 region of the Fc region comprises the substitutions E357N, D399V and F405T (see e.g. Choi et al., PLoS One (2015) 10(12):e0145349).
  • Fc-mediated functions include Fc receptor binding, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis (ADCP), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC), cell degranulation, cytokine and/or chemokine production, and antigen processing and presentation.
  • ADCC antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity
  • ADCP antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis
  • CDC complement-dependent cytotoxicity
  • MAC membrane attack complex
  • cell degranulation cell degranulation
  • cytokine and/or chemokine production and antigen processing and presentation.
  • substitutions F243L/R292P/Y300L/V305I/P396L is described in Stavenhagen et al. Cancer Res. (2007) to increase binding to Fc ⁇ Rllla, and thereby enhance ADCC.
  • substitutions S239D/I332E or S239D/I332E/A330L is described in Lazar et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. (2006)103:4005-4010 to increase binding to Fc ⁇ Rllla, and thereby increase ADCC.
  • substitutions S239D/I332E/A330L is also described to decrease binding to Fc ⁇ Rllb, and thereby increase ADCC.
  • substitutions S298A/E333A/K334A is described in Shields et al., J Biol Chem. (2001) 276:6591-6604 to increase binding to Fc ⁇ Rllla, and thereby increase ADCC.
  • substitutions K326W/E333S is described in Idusogie et al. J Immunol. (2001) 166(4):2571-5 to increase binding to C1q, and thereby increase CDC.
  • substitutions S267E/H268F/S324T is described in Moore et al. MAbs. (2010) 2(2): 181 -9 to increase binding to C1q, and thereby increase CDC.
  • the combination of substitutions described in Natsume et al., Cancer Res. (2008) 68(10):3863-72 is reported to increase binding to C1q, and thereby increase CDC.
  • substitutions E345R/E430G/S440Y is described in Diebolder et al. Science (2014) 343(6176): 1260-3 to increase hexamerisation, and thereby increase CDC.
  • substitutions M252Y/S254T/T256E is described in Dall’Acqua et al. J Immunol. (2002) 169:5171-5180 to increase binding to FcRn at pH 6.0, and thereby increase antigen-binding molecule half-life.
  • substitutions M428L/N434S is described in Zalevsky et al. Nat Biotechnol. (2010) 28:157-159 to increase binding to FcRn at pH 6.0, and thereby increase antigen-binding molecule half-life.
  • heavy chain constant region/Fc region/CH2-CH3 region/CH2 region/CH3 region is described herein as comprising position(s)/substitution(s) “corresponding to” reference position(s)/substitution(s), equivalent position(s)/substitution(s) in homologous heavy chain constant regions/Fc regions/CH2-CH3 regions/CH2 regions/CH3 regions are contemplated.
  • Fc region is described as comprising specific position(s)/substitution(s)
  • the position(s)/substitution(s) may be present in one or both of the polypeptide chains which together form the Fc region.
  • positions herein refer to positions of human immunoglobulin constant region amino acid sequences numbered according to the EU numbering system as described in Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 1991.
  • the substitutions L242C and K334C in human lgG1 correspond to L>C substitution at position 125, and K>C substitution at position 217 of the human lgG1 constant region numbered according to SEQ ID NO:171.
  • Homologous heavy chain constant regions are heavy chain constant regions comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 60%, preferably one of 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the heavy chain constant region of Human lgG1 (i.e. the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:171).
  • Homologous Fc regions are Fc regions comprised of polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 60%, preferably one of 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to CH2-CH3 region of Human lgG1 (i.e. the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NO:174 and 175).
  • Homologous CH2 regions are CH2 regions comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 60%, preferably one of 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to CH2 region of Human lgG1 (i.e. the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 174).
  • Homologous CH3 regions are CH3 regions comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 60%, preferably one of 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to CH3 region of Human lgG1 (i.e. the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:175).
  • sequence alignment can be performed e.g. using sequence alignment software such as ClustalOmega (Sdding, J. 2005, Bioinformatics 21, 951-960).
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises an Fc region comprising modification to increase an Fc-mediated function.
  • the Fc region comprises modification to increase ADCC.
  • the Fc region comprises modification to increase ADCP.
  • the Fc region comprises modification to increase CDC.
  • An antigen-binding molecule comprising an Fc region comprising modification to increase an Fc-mediated function induces an increased level of the relevant effector function as compared to an antigen-binding molecule comprising the corresponding unmodified Fc region.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises an Fc region comprising modification to increase affinity for one or more Fc receptors (e.g. Fc ⁇ Rlla, Fc ⁇ Rllla). Modifications increasing affinity for Fc receptors can increase Fc-mediated effector function such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and/or antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP).
  • ADCC antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity
  • ADCP antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises an Fc region comprising modification to reduce affinity for C1q; such modification reducing complement- dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), which can be desirable.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises an Fc region comprising modification to increase hexamer formation.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises an Fc region comprising CH2/CH3 comprising one or more of the substitutions shown in Table 1 of Saxena and Wu Front Immunol. (2016) 7:580.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises an Fc comprising modification to increase binding to an Fc receptor.
  • the Fc region comprises modification to increase binding to an Fc ⁇ receptor.
  • the Fc region comprises modification to increase binding to one or more of Fc ⁇ RI, Fc ⁇ Rlla, Fc ⁇ Rllb, Fc ⁇ Rllc, Fc ⁇ Rllla and Fc ⁇ Rlllb.
  • the Fc region comprises modification to increase binding to Fc ⁇ Rllla.
  • the Fc region comprises modification to increase binding to Fc ⁇ Rlla.
  • the Fc region comprises modification to increase binding to Fc ⁇ Rllb.
  • the Fc region comprises modification to increase binding to FcRn. In some embodiments the Fc region comprises modification to increase binding to a complement protein. In some embodiments the Fc region comprises modification to increase or reduce binding to C1q. In some embodiments the Fc region comprises modification to promote hexamerisation of the antigen-binding molecule. In some embodiments the Fc region comprises modification to increase antigen-binding molecule half-life. In some embodiments the Fc region comprises modification to increase co-engagement.
  • an “Fc ⁇ receptor” may be from any species, and includes isoforms, fragments, variants (including mutants) or homologues from any species.
  • “Fc ⁇ RI”, “Fc ⁇ Rlla”, “Fc ⁇ Rllb”, “Fc ⁇ Rllc”, “Fc ⁇ Rllla” and “Fc ⁇ Rlllb” refer respectively to Fc ⁇ RI/Fc ⁇ Rlla/Fc ⁇ RIIb/Fc ⁇ RIIc/Fc ⁇ RIIIa/Fc ⁇ Rlllb from any species, and include isoforms, fragments, variants (including mutants) or homologues from any species.
  • Fc y receptors include e.g. the 158V and 158F polymorphs of human Fc ⁇ Rllla, and the 167H and 167R polymorphs of human Fc ⁇ Rlla.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, or a CH2- CH3 region, comprising) one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) of the following substitutions (or corresponding substitutions): L242C, K334C, G236A, S239D, I332E, A330L, E345K, and E430G.
  • Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, or a CH2- CH3 region, comprising) one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) of the following substitutions (or corresponding substitutions): L242C, K334C, G236A, S239D, I332E, A330L, E345K, and E430G.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) a C at the position corresponding to position 242.
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) a C at the position corresponding to position 334.
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) a C at the position corresponding to position 242 and a C at the position corresponding to position 334.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) an A at the position corresponding to position 236.
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) a D at the position corresponding to position 239.
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) an A at the position corresponding to position 236, and a D at the position corresponding to position 239.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) an E at the position corresponding to position 332.
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) an A at the position corresponding to position 236, a D at the position corresponding to position 239, and an E at the position corresponding to position 332.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) an L at the position corresponding to position 330.
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) an A at the position corresponding to position 236, a D at the position corresponding to position 239, an E at the position corresponding to position 332, and an L at the position corresponding to position 330.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH3 region, comprising) a K at the position corresponding to position 345.
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH3 region, comprising) a G at the position corresponding to position 430.
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) a K at the position corresponding to position 345, and a G at the position corresponding to position 430.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) a C at the position corresponding to position 242, a C at the position corresponding to position 334, an A at the position corresponding to position 236, and a D at the position corresponding to position 239.
  • Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) a C at the position corresponding to position 242, a C at the position corresponding to position 334, an A at the position corresponding to position 236, and a D at the position corresponding to position 239.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) a C at the position corresponding to position 242, a C at the position corresponding to position 334, an A at the position corresponding to position 236, a D at the position corresponding to position 239, and an E at the position corresponding to position 332.
  • Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) a C at the position corresponding to position 242, a C at the position corresponding to position 334, an A at the position corresponding to position 236, a D at the position corresponding to position 239, and an E at the position corresponding to position 332.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) a C at the position corresponding to position 242, a C at the position corresponding to position 334, an A at the position corresponding to position 236, a D at the position corresponding to position 239, an E at the position corresponding to position 332, and an L at the position corresponding to position 330.
  • Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) a C at the position corresponding to position 242, a C at the position corresponding to position 334, an A at the position corresponding to position 236, a D at the position corresponding to position 239, an E at the position corresponding to position 332, and an L at the position corresponding to position 330.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, or a CH2-CH3 region, comprising) a C at the position corresponding to position 242, a C at the position corresponding to position 334, a K at the position corresponding to position 345, and a G at the position corresponding to position 430.
  • Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, or a CH2-CH3 region, comprising) a C at the position corresponding to position 242, a C at the position corresponding to position 334, a K at the position corresponding to position 345, and a G at the position corresponding to position 430.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution L242C (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution K334C (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution L242C (or an equivalent substitution) and the substitution K334C (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution G236A (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution S239D (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution G236A (or an equivalent substitution), and the substitution S239D (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution I332E (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution G236A (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution S239D (or an equivalent substitution), and the substitution I332E (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution A330L (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution G236A (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution S239D (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution I332E (or an equivalent substitution), and the substitution A330L (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH3 region, comprising) the substitution E345K (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH3 region, comprising) the substitution E430G (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the Fc region comprises (e.g. comprises one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution E345K (or an equivalent substitution), and the substitution E430G (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution L242C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution K334C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution G236A (or an equivalent substitution), and the substitution S239D (or an equivalent substitution).
  • Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution L242C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution K334C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution G236A (or an equivalent substitution), and the substitution S239D (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution L242C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution K334C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution G236A (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution S239D (or an equivalent substitution), and the substitution I332E (or an equivalent substitution).
  • Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution L242C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution K334C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution G236A (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution S239D (or an equivalent substitution), and the substitution I332E (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution L242C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution K334C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution G236A (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution S239D (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution I332E (or an equivalent substitution), and the substitution A330L (or an equivalent substitution).
  • Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, a CH2-CH3 region, or a CH2 region, comprising) the substitution L242C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution K334C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution G236A (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution S239D (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution I332E (or an equivalent substitution), and the substitution A330L (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, or a CH2-CH3 region, comprising) the substitution L242C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution K334C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution E345K (or an equivalent substitution), and the substitution E430G (or an equivalent substitution).
  • Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, or a CH2-CH3 region, comprising) the substitution L242C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution K334C (or an equivalent substitution), the substitution E345K (or an equivalent substitution), and the substitution E430G (or an equivalent substitution).
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, or a CH2-CH3 region, comprising) one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12) of the following: L at the position corresponding to position 243, P at the position corresponding to position 292, L at the position corresponding to position 300, I at the position corresponding to position 305 and L at the position corresponding to position 396; D at the position corresponding to position 239 and E at the position corresponding to position 332; D at the position corresponding to position 239, E at the position corresponding to position 332 and L at the position corresponding to position 330; A at the position corresponding to position 298, A at the position corresponding to position 333 and A at the position corresponding to position 334; Y at the position corresponding to position 234, Q at the position corresponding to position 235, W at the position corresponding to position 236, M at the position
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region comprising (e.g. comprising one more polypeptides comprising a heavy chain constant region, or a CH2-CH3 region, comprising) one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12) of the following combinations of substitutions (or corresponding substitutions): F243L/R292P/Y300L/V305I/P396L; S239D/I332E; S239D/I332E/A330L;
  • D270E/K326D/A330M/K334E G236A/S239D/I332E; K326W/E333S; S267E/H268F/S324T;
  • E345R/E430G/S440Y M252Y/S254T/T256E; and M428L/N434S.
  • the present invention also provides polypeptide constituents of antigen-binding molecules.
  • the polypeptides may be provided in isolated or substantially purified form.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention may be, or may comprise, a complex of polypeptides.
  • a polypeptide comprises more than one domain or region
  • the plural domains/regions are preferably present in the same polypeptide chain. That is, the polypeptide comprises more than one domain or region is a fusion polypeptide comprising the domains/regions.
  • a polypeptide according to the present invention comprises, or consists of, a VH as described herein. In some embodiments a polypeptide according to the present invention comprises, or consists of, a VL as described herein.
  • the polypeptide additionally comprises one or more antibody heavy chain constant regions (CH). In some embodiments, the polypeptide additionally comprises one or more antibody light chain constant regions (CL). In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises a CH1, CH2 region and/or a CH3 region of an immunoglobulin (Ig).
  • CH antibody heavy chain constant regions
  • CL antibody light chain constant regions
  • the polypeptide comprises a CH1, CH2 region and/or a CH3 region of an immunoglobulin (Ig).
  • the polypeptide comprises one or more regions of an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant sequence. In some embodiments the polypeptide comprises a CH1 region as described herein. In some embodiments the polypeptide comprises a CH1-CH2 hinge region as described herein. In some embodiments the polypeptide comprises a CH2 region as described herein. In some embodiments the polypeptide comprises a CH3 region as described herein. In some embodiments the polypeptide comprises a CH2-CH3 region as described herein.
  • the polypeptide comprises a CH3 region comprising any one of the following amino acid substitutions/combinations of amino acid substitutions (shown e.g. in Table 1 of Ha et al., Front. Immnol (2016) 7:394, incorporated by reference hereinabove): T366W; T366S, L368A and Y407V; T366W and S354C; T366S, L368A, Y407V and Y349C; S364H and F405A; Y349T and T394F; T350V, L351Y, F405A and Y407V; T350V, T366L, K392L and T394W; K360D, D399M and Y407A; E345R, Q347R, T366V and K409V; K409D and K392D; D399K and E356K; K360E and K409W; Q347
  • the CH2 and/or CH3 regions of the polypeptide comprise one or more amino acid substitutions for promoting association of the polypeptide with another polypeptide comprising a CH2 and/or CH3 region.
  • polypeptide comprises one or more regions of an immunoglobulin light chain constant sequence. In some embodiments the polypeptide comprises a CL region as described herein.
  • polypeptide according to the present invention comprises a structure from N- to C-terminus according to one of the following:
  • antigen-binding molecules composed of the polypeptides of the present invention.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises one of the following combinations of polypeptides:
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises more than one of a polypeptide of the combinations shown in (A) to (I) above.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises two polypeptides comprising the structure VH- CH1-CH2-CH3, and two polypeptides comprising the structure VL-CL.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention comprises one of the following combinations of polypeptides:
  • VH(anti-HER3) refers to the VH of an antigen-binding molecule capable of binding to HER3 as described herein, e.g. as defined in one of (1 ) to (61 ) above
  • VL(anti-HER3) refers to the VL of an antigen-binding molecule capable of binding to HER3 as described herein, e.g. as defined in one of (62) to (119) above.
  • the polypeptide comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of one of SEQ ID NOs:187 to 223.
  • the antigen-binding molecules and polypeptides of the present invention comprise a hinge region.
  • a hinge region is provided between a CH1 region and a CH2 region.
  • a hinge region is provided between a CL region and a CH2 region.
  • the hinge region comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:173.
  • the antigen-binding molecules and polypeptides of the present invention comprise one or more linker sequences between amino acid sequences.
  • a linker sequence may be provided at one or both ends of one or more of a VH, VL, CH1-CH2 hinge region, CH2 region and a CH3 region of the antigen-binding molecule/polypeptide.
  • Linker sequences are known to the skilled person, and are described, for example in Chen et al., Adv Drug Deliv Rev (2013) 65(10): 1357-1369, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • a linker sequence may be a flexible linker sequence.
  • Flexible linker sequences allow for relative movement of the amino acid sequences which are linked by the linker sequence.
  • Flexible linkers are known to the skilled person, and several are identified in Chen et al., Adv Drug Deliv Rev (2013) 65(10): 1357-1369. Flexible linker sequences often comprise high proportions of glycine and/or serine residues.
  • the linker sequence comprises at least one glycine residue and/or at least one serine residue. In some embodiments the linker sequence consists of glycine and serine residues. In some embodiments, the linker sequence has a length of 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5 or 1-10 amino acids.
  • the antigen-binding molecules and polypeptides of the present invention may additionally comprise further amino acids or sequences of amino acids.
  • the antigen-binding molecules and polypeptides may comprise amino acid sequence(s) to facilitate expression, folding, trafficking, processing, purification or detection of the antigen-binding molecule/polypeptide.
  • the antigen-binding molecule/polypeptide may comprise a sequence encoding a His, (e.g. 6XHis), Myc, GST, MBP, FLAG, HA, E, or Biotin tag, optionally at the N- or C- terminus of the antigen-binding molecule/polypeptide.
  • the antigen-binding molecule/polypeptide comprises a detectable moiety, e.g. a fluorescent, lunminescent, immuno-detectable, radio, chemical, nucleic acid or enzymatic label.
  • the antigen-binding molecules and polypeptides of the present invention may additionally comprise a signal peptide (also known as a leader sequence or signal sequence).
  • Signal peptides normally consist of a sequence of 5-30 hydrophobic amino acids, which form a single alpha helix. Secreted proteins and proteins expressed at the cell surface often comprise signal peptides.
  • the signal peptide may be present at the N-terminus of the antigen-binding molecule/polypeptide, and may be present in the newly synthesised antigen-binding molecule/polypeptide.
  • the signal peptide provides for efficient trafficking and secretion of the antigen-binding molecule/polypeptide. Signal peptides are often removed by cleavage, and thus are not comprised in the mature antigen-binding molecule/polypeptide secreted from the cell expressing the antigen-binding molecule/polypeptide.
  • Signal peptides are known for many proteins, and are recorded in databases such as GenBank, UniProt, Swiss-Prot, TrEMBL, Protein Information Resource, Protein Data Bank, Ensembl, and InterPro, and/or can be identified/predicted e.g. using amino acid sequence analysis tools such as SignalP (Petersen et al., 2011 Nature Methods 8: 785-786) or Signal-BLAST (Frank and Sippl, 2008 Bioinformatics 24: 2172- 2176).
  • SignalP Protein et al., 2011 Nature Methods 8: 785-786
  • Signal-BLAST Frank and Sippl, 2008 Bioinformatics 24: 2172- 2176.
  • the signal peptide of the antigen-binding molecule/polypeptide of the present invention comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 85% 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of one of SEQ ID NOs:178 to 186. Labels and conjugates
  • the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention additionally comprise a detectable moiety.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises a detectable moiety, e.g. a fluorescent label, phosphorescent label, luminescent label, immuno-detectable label (e.g. an epitope tag), radiolabel, chemical, nucleic acid or enzymatic label.
  • a detectable moiety e.g. a fluorescent label, phosphorescent label, luminescent label, immuno-detectable label (e.g. an epitope tag), radiolabel, chemical, nucleic acid or enzymatic label.
  • the antigen-binding molecule may be covalently or non- covalently labelled with the detectable moiety.
  • Fluorescent labels include e.g. fluorescein, rhodamine, allophycocyanin, eosine and NDB, green fluorescent protein (GFP) chelates of rare earths such as europium (Eu), terbium (Tb) and samarium (Sm), tetramethyl rhodamine, Texas Red, 4-methyl umbelliferone, 7-amino-4-methyl coumarin, Cy3, and Cy5.
  • GFP green fluorescent protein
  • Radiolabels include radioisotopes such as Iodine 123 , Iodine 125 , Iodine 126 , Iodine 131 , Iodine 133 , Bromine 77 , Technetium 99m , Indium 111 , Indium 113m , Gallium 67 , Gallium 68 , Ruthenium 95 , Ruthenium 97 , Ruthenium 103 , Ruthenium 105 , Mercury 207 , Mercury 203 , Rhenium 99m , Rhenium 101 , Rhenium 105 , Scandium 47 , Tellurium 121m , Tellurium 122m , Tellurium 125m , Thulium 165 , Thuliuml 167 , Thulium 168 , Copper 67 , Fluorine 18 , Yttrium 90 , Palladium 100 , Bismuth 217 and Antimony 211 .
  • radioisotopes such as Iodine 123
  • Luminescent labels include as radioluminescent, chemiluminescent (e.g. acridinium ester, luminol, isoluminol) and bioluminescent labels.
  • Immuno- detectable labels include haptens, peptides/polypeptides, antibodies, receptors and ligands such as biotin, avidin, streptavidin or digoxigenin.
  • Nucleic acid labels include aptamers.
  • Enzymatic labels include e.g. peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, glucose oxidase, beta-galactosidase and luciferase.
  • the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention are conjugated to a chemical moiety.
  • the chemical moiety may be a moiety for providing a therapeutic effect.
  • Antibody-drug conjugates are reviewed e.g. in Parslow et al., Biomedicines. 2016 Sep; 4(3):14.
  • the chemical moiety may be a drug moiety (e.g. a cytotoxic agent).
  • the drug moiety may be a chemotherapeutic agent.
  • the drug moiety is selected from calicheamicin, DM1 , DM4, monomethylauristatin E (MMAE), monomethylauristatin F (MMAF), SN-38, doxorubicin, duocarmycin, D6.5 and PBD.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid seguence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:187; and
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO: 188.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of: (i) two polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO: 189; and
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO: 190.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO: 191 ;
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO: 192.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO: 193;
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO: 195.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO: 194;
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO: 195.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO: 196;
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO: 195.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of: (i) two polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:197; and
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO: 199.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO: 198;
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO: 199.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:200;
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:201.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:202; and
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:203.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:204;
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:205.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of: (i) two polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:206; and
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:207.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:208; and
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:209.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:210; and
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:211.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:212; and
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:213.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:214;
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:215.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of: (i) two polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:216; and
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:217.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:218;
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:219.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:220;
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:221.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:222; and
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:223.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:225; and
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:207.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of: (i) two polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:226; and
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:207.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:227;
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:217.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprises, or consists of:
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:228; and
  • polypeptides comprising, or consisting of, an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, preferably one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of NO:217.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is produced by the cell line deposited 07 May 2021 as ATCC Patent Deposit Number PTA-127062, e.g. as described in GB 2108449.6, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • the antigen-binding molecules described herein may be characterised by reference to certain functional properties.
  • the antigen-binding molecule described herein may possess one or more of the following properties: binds to HER3 (e.g. human, mouse, rat or cynomolgus macaque HER3); does not bind to EGFR and/or HER2; binds to HER3-expressing cells; binds to subdomain II of the extracellular region of HER3; binds to HER3 when HER3 is in open and closed conformations; binds to HER3 independently of NRG; does not compete with MM-121 and/or LJM-716 for binding to HER3; does not compete with M-05-74 and/or M-08-11 for binding to HER3; inhibits interaction between HER3 and an interaction partner for HER3 (e.g.
  • HER3, HER2, EGFR, HER4, HGFR, IGF1R and/or cMet inhibits HER3-mediated signalling; inhibits proliferation of HER3-expressing cells (e.g. in response to stimulation with NRG); inhibits PI3K/AKT/mTOR and/or MAPK signalling by HER3-expressing cells (e.g. in response to stimulation with NRG); inhibits phosphorylation of HER3 and/or AKT in the presence and/or absence of NRG1; binds to an activatory Fc ⁇ receptor (e.g.
  • Fc ⁇ Rllla increased binding to an activatory Fc ⁇ receptor; increased binding to an activatory Fc ⁇ receptor as compared to an equivalent antigen-binding molecule having an Fc region comprised of CH2-CH3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:174-175; decreased binding to an inhibitory Fc ⁇ receptor as compared to an equivalent antigen-binding molecule having an Fc region comprised of CH2-CH3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:174-175; increased binding to an activatory Fc ⁇ receptor over an inhibitory Fc ⁇ receptor as compared to an equivalent antigen-binding molecule having an Fc region comprised of CH2-CH3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:174-175; increased or decreased binding to a complement protein (e.g.
  • the antigen-binding molecules described herein preferably display specific binding to HER3.
  • “specific binding” refers to binding which is selective for the antigen, and which can be discriminated from non-specific binding to non-target antigen.
  • An antigen-binding molecule that specifically binds to a target molecule preferably binds the target with greater affinity, and/or with greater duration than it binds to other, non-target molecules.
  • the ability of a given polypeptide to bind specifically to a given molecule can be determined by analysis according to methods known in the art, such as by ELISA, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR; see e.g.
  • the extent of binding of the antigen-binding molecule to an non-target molecule is less than about 10% of the binding of the antibody to the target molecule as measured, e.g. by ELISA, SPR, Bio-Layer Interferometry or by RIA.
  • binding specificity may be reflected in terms of binding affinity where the antigen-binding molecule binds with a dissociation constant (K D ) that is at least 0.1 order of magnitude (i.e. 0.1 x 10 n , where n is an integer representing the order of magnitude) greater than the K D of the antigen-binding molecule towards a non-target molecule.
  • K D dissociation constant
  • This may optionally be one of at least 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0.
  • the antigen-binding molecule displays binding to human HER3, mouse HER3, rat HER3 and/or cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) HER3. That is, in some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is cross-reactive for human HER3, mouse HER3, rat HER3 and/or cynomolgus macaque HER3. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention displays cross-reactivity with HER3 of a non-human primate. Cross-reactivity to HER3 in model species allows in vivo exploration of efficacy in syngeneic models without relying on surrogate molecules.
  • the antigen-binding molecule binds to human HER3, mouse HER3, rat HER3 and/or cynomolgus macaque HER3; and does not bind to HER2 and/or EGFR (e.g. human HER2 and/or human EGFR).
  • the antigen-binding molecule does not display specific binding to EGFR (e.g. human EGFR). In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule does not display specific binding to HER2 (e.g. human HER2). In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule does not display specific binding to (i.e. does not cross-react with) a member of the EGFR family of proteins other than HER3. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule does not display specific binding to EGFR, HER2 and/or HER4.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the invention binds to HER3 (e.g. human HER3) with a K D of 10 pM or less, preferably one of ⁇ 5 pM, ⁇ 2 pM, ⁇ 1 pM, ⁇ 500 nM, ⁇ 400 nM, ⁇ 300 nM, ⁇ 200 nM, ⁇ 100 nM, ⁇ 95 nM, ⁇ 90 nM, ⁇ 85 nM, ⁇ 80 nM, ⁇ 75 nM, ⁇ 70 nM, ⁇ 65 nM, ⁇ 60 nM, ⁇ 55 nM, ⁇ 50 nM, ⁇ 45 nM, ⁇ 40 nM, ⁇ 35 nM, ⁇ 30 nM, ⁇ 25 nM, ⁇ 20 nM, ⁇ 15 nM, ⁇ 12.5 nM, ⁇ 10 nM, ⁇ 9 nM, ⁇ 8 nM, ⁇
  • K D
  • the antigen-binding molecules of the present invention may bind to a particular region of interest of HER3.
  • the antigen-binding region of an antigen-binding molecule according to the present invention may bind to a linear epitope of HER3, consisting of a contiguous sequence of amino acids (i.e. an amino acid primary sequence).
  • the antigen-binding molecule may bind to a conformational epitope of HER3, consisting of a discontinuous sequence of amino acids of the amino acid sequence.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention binds to HER3. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule binds to the extracellular region of HER3 (e.g. the region shown in SEQ ID NO:9). In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule binds to subdomain II of the extracellular region of HER3 (e.g. the region shown in SEQ ID NO: 16).
  • the antigen-binding molecule binds to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:229. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:229. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule binds to the regions of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NQs:230 and 231. In some embodiments the antigen- binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the regions of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NQs:230 and 231. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule binds to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NQ:230.
  • the antigen-binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NQ:230. In some embodiments, the antigen- binding molecule binds to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:231. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:231. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule binds to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:23. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:23.
  • the antigen-binding molecule binds to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:21. In some embodiments the antigen- binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:21. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule binds to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:19. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:19. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule binds to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:22. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule contacts one or more amino acid residues of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:22.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is capable of binding to a polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of one of SEQ ID NOs:1 , 3, 4, 6 or 8. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:9. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:229.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NQ:230 and 231. In some embodiments, the antigen- binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:230. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:231.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:23. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:21. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:19. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to a peptide/polypeptide comprising, or consisting of, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22.
  • the antigen-binding molecule does not bind to the region of HER3 corresponding to positions 260 to 279 of SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule does not contact an amino acid residue of the region of HER3 corresponding to positions 260 to 279 of SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule does not bind to the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:23. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule does not contact an amino acid residue of the region of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:23.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is not capable of binding to a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence corresponding to positions 260 to 279 of SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule is not capable of binding to a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:23.
  • a “peptide” refers to a chain of two or more amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds.
  • a peptide typically has a length in the region of about 2 to 50 amino acids.
  • a “polypeptide” is a polymer chain of two or more peptides. Polypeptides typically have a length greater than about 50 amino acids.
  • an antigen-binding molecule to bind to a given peptide/polypeptide can be analysed by methods well known to the skilled person, including analysis by ELISA, immunoblot (e.g. western blot), immunoprecipitation, surface plasmon resonance and biolayer interferometry.
  • HER3 Ligand binding to HER3 promotes conformational changes that enables HER3 to homo- or heterodimerise, resulting in activation of downstream pathways.
  • HER3 demonstrates ‘closed’ and ‘open’ conformations.
  • closed conformation it is meant that HER3 is in a tethered conformation and is unavailable for receptor homo- or heterodimerisation.
  • open conformation it is meant that HER3 is in an extended conformation and is available for receptor homo- or heterodimerisation.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to HER3 when HER3 is in the open conformation. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to HER3 when HER3 is in the closed conformation. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to HER3 when HER3 is in the open and/or closed conformation. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to the HER3 ectodomain when HER3 is in the open and/or closed conformation. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to the HER3 dimerisation arm when HER3 is in the open and/or closed conformation. Binding to the dimerisation arm enables an antigen-binding molecule to prevent interaction between HER3 and an interaction partner for HER3, e.g. as described herein.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to HER3 in the presence and/or absence of a ligand for HER3. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to HER3 independently of a ligand for HER3. In some embodiments the ligand is NRG, NRG-1 and/or NRG-2. HER3 is activated by ligand binding to its extracellular domain which promotes conformational changes that enables HER3 to homo- or heterodimerise. Binding of an antigen-binding molecule to HER3 independently of ligand binding allows the antigen-binding molecule to inhibit the action of HER3 in both ligand-absent and ligand-present conformational states. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule does not compete with ligand binding to HER3. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule does not bind to HER3 at the ligand binding site.
  • the antigen-binding molecule binds to HER3 similarly well in the presence or absence of ligand for HER3 (i.e. irrespective of whether HER3 is provided in the ligand-bound or unbound form).
  • the antigen-binding molecule binds to HER3 in the presence of a ligand for HER3 with an affinity which is similar to the affinity of binding of the antigen-binding molecule to HER3 in the absence of ligand for HER3.
  • Example 8.10 and Figures 78A and 78B of the present disclosure demonstrate that 10D1F binds to human HER3 with sub-picomolar affinity both when HER3 is provided in the NRG1 -bound form, and in the absence of NRG1.
  • a binding affinity which is ‘similar’ to a reference binding affinity means a binding affinity which is within 50%, e.g. within one of 40%, 45%, 30%, 25%, 20% 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% of the reference binding affinity, as determined under comparable conditions.
  • the antigen-binding molecule binds to HER3 in the presence of a ligand for HER3 (e.g. NRG1 or NRG2) with a K D which is within 50%, e.g. within one of 40%, 45%, 30%, 25%, 20% 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% of the K D of the antigen-binding molecule for binding to HER3 in the absence of the ligand (as determined under comparable conditions).
  • a ligand for HER3 e.g. NRG1 or NRG2
  • K D which is within 50%, e.g. within one of 40%, 45%, 30%, 25%, 20% 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%,
  • the antigen-binding molecule binds to HER3 in the presence of a ligand for HER3 (e.g. NRG1 or NRG2) with a Kon which is within 50%, e.g. within one of 40%, 45%, 30%, 25%, 20% 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% of the Kon of the antigen-binding molecule for binding to HER3 in the absence of the ligand (as determined under comparable conditions).
  • a ligand for HER3 e.g. NRG1 or NRG2
  • a Kon which is within 50%, e.g. within one of 40%, 45%, 30%, 25%, 20% 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%
  • the antigen-binding molecule binds to HER3 in the presence of a ligand for HER3 (e.g. NRG1 or NRG2) with a Kotr which is within 50%, e.g. within one of 40%, 45%, 30%, 25%, 20% 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% of the K off of the antigen-binding molecule for binding to HER3 in the absence of the ligand (as determined under comparable conditions).
  • a ligand for HER3 e.g. NRG1 or NRG2
  • a Kotr which is within 50%, e.g. within one of 40%, 45%, 30%, 25%, 20% 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%,
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding the same region of HER3, or an overlapping region of HER3, to the region of HER3 which is bound by an antibody comprising the VH and VL sequences of one of clones 10D1 , 10D1_c75, 10D1_c76, 10D1_c77, 10D1_c78v1 , 10D1_c78v2, 10D1_11B, 10D1_c85v1, 10D1_c85v2, 10D1_c85o1 , 10D1_c85o2, 10D1_c87, 10D1_c89, 10D1_c90, 10D1_c91 , 10D1_c92, 10D1_c93, 10A6, 4-35-B2 or 4-35-B4.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding the same region of HER3, or an overlapping region of HER3, to the region of HER3 which is bound by an antibody comprising the VH and VL sequences of one of clones 10D1_c89, 10D1_c90 or 10D1_c91. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding the same region of HER3, or an overlapping region of HER3, to the region of HER3 which is bound by an antibody comprising the VH and VL sequences of clone 10D1_c89.
  • the region of a peptide/polypeptide to which an antibody binds can be determined by the skilled person using various methods well known in the art, including X-ray co-crystallography analysis of antibody- antigen complexes, peptide scanning, mutagenesis mapping, hydrogen-deuterium exchange analysis by mass spectrometry, phage display, competition ELISA and proteolysis-based ‘protection’ methods. Such methods are described, for example, in Gershoni et al., BioDrugs, 2007, 21(3):145-156, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Such methods can also be used to determine whether an antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to proteins in different conformations.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention does not bind to HER3 in the same region of HER3, or an overlapping region of HER3, as an antibody comprising the VH and VL sequences of anti-HER3 antibody clone MM-121 (described e.g. in Schoeberl et al., Sci. Signal. (2009) 2(77): ra31 ) and/or LJM-716 (described e.g. Garner et al., Cancer Res (2013) 73: 6024-6035).
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention does not display competition with an antibody comprising the VH and VL sequences of anti-HER3 antibody clone MM-121 and/or LJM-716 for binding to HER3, e.g. as determined by SPR analysis.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention binds to HER3 in a region which is accessible to an antigen-binding molecule (i.e. , an extracellular antigen-binding molecule) when HER3 is expressed at the cell surface (i.e. in or at the cell membrane).
  • the antigen- binding molecule is capable of binding to HER3 expressed at the cell surface of a cell expressing HER3.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of binding to HER3-expressing cells (e.g. HER3+ cells, e.g. HER3+ cancer cells).
  • the ability of an antigen-binding molecule to bind to a given cell type can be analysed by contacting cells with the antigen-binding molecule, and detecting antigen-binding molecule bound to the cells, e.g. after a washing step to remove unbound antigen-binding molecule.
  • the ability of an antigen-binding molecule to bind to immune cell surface molecule-expressing cells and/or cancer cell antigen-expressing cells can be analysed by methods such as flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention may be an antagonist of HER3.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting a function or process (e.g. interaction, signalling or other activity) mediated by HER3 and/or a binding partner for HER3 (e.g. HER3 (i.e. in the case of homodimerisation), HER2, EGFR, HER4, HGFR, IGF1R and/or cMet).
  • HER3 i.e. in the case of homodimerisation
  • inhibition refers to a reduction, decrease or lessening relative to a control condition.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is capable of inhibiting interaction between HER3 and an interaction partner for HER3.
  • An interaction partner for HER3 may be expressed by the same cell as the HER3.
  • An interaction partner or HER3 may be expressed at the cell surface (i.e. in or at the cell membrane).
  • an interaction partner for HER3 may be a member of the EGFR family of proteins, e.g. HER3, HER2, EGFR, HER4, HGFR, IGF1R and/or cMet.
  • an interaction partner for HER3 may be IGF1R and/or cMet.
  • Interaction between HER3 and an interaction partner for HER3 may result in the formation of a polypeptide complex.
  • Interaction between HER3 and an interaction partner for HER3 to form a polypeptide complex may be referred to as multimerisation. Where multimerisation is between polypeptide monomers multimerisation may be referred to as dimerisation.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting interaction between HER3 monomers. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting interaction between HER3 and HER2. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting interaction between HER3 and EGFR. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting interaction between HER3 and HER4. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting interaction between HER3 and HGFR. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting interaction between HER3 and IGF1R. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting interaction between HER3 and cMet.
  • Inhibition of interaction may be achieved by binding of the antigen-binding molecule to a region of HER3 required for interaction between HER3 and an interaction partner for HER3 (e.g. the dimerisation loop of HER3 shown in SEQ ID NO:19).
  • the antigen-binding molecule contacts one or more residues of HER3 necessary for interaction between HER3 and an interaction partner for HER3; in this way the antigen-binding molecule makes the region unavailable, thereby inhibiting interaction.
  • the antigen-binding molecule binds to HER3 in a manner which inhibits/prevents interaction between HER3 and an interaction partner for HER3.
  • the antigen- binding molecule inhibits/prevents access of the interaction partner for HER3 to the region of HER3 required for interaction between HER3 and the interaction partner for HER3; this may be achieved in cases even where the antigen-binding molecule does not contact the region of HER3 required for interaction between HER3 and the interaction partner for HER3, e.g. through steric inhibition of access of the interaction partner for HER3 to the region of HER3 required for interaction between HER3 and the interaction partner.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting homodimerisation of HER3 monomers. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting dimerisation between HER3 and HER2.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting dimerisation between HER3 and EGFR. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting dimerisation between HER3 and HER4. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting dimerisation between HER3 and HGFR. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting dimerisation between HER3 and IGF1 R. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting dimerisation between HER3 and cMet.
  • an antigen-binding molecule to inhibit interaction between two factors can be determined for example by analysis of interaction in the presence of, or following incubation of one or both of the interaction partners with, the antibody/fragment.
  • Assays for determining whether a given antigen-binding molecule is capable of inhibiting interaction between two interaction partners include competition ELISA assays and analysis by SPR.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is a competitive inhibitor of interaction between HER3 and an interaction partner for HER3.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is capable of inhibiting interaction between HER3 and an interaction partner for HER3 (e.g. HER3, HER2, EGFR, HER4, HGFR, IGF1 R and/or cMet) to less than less than 1 times, e.g.
  • HER3 e.g. HER3, HER2, EGFR, HER4, HGFR, IGF1 R and/or cMet
  • the ability of an antigen-binding molecule to inhibit interaction between interaction partners can also be determined by analysis of the downstream functional consequences of such interaction.
  • downstream functional consequences of interaction between HER3 and interaction partners for HER3 include PI3K/AKT/mTOR and/or MAPK signalling.
  • the ability of an antigen-binding molecule to inhibit interaction of HER3 and an interaction partner for HER3 may be determined by analysis of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and/or MAPK signalling following treatment with NRG in the presence of the antigen- binding molecule.
  • PI3K/AKT/mTOR and/or MAPK signalling can be detected and quantified e.g. using antibodies capable of detecting phosphorylated members of the signal transduction pathways.
  • the ability of an antigen-binding molecule to inhibit interaction of HER3 and an interaction partner for HER3 can also be determined by analysing proliferation of cells expressing HER3 following treatment with NRG in the presence of the antigen-binding molecule.
  • Cell proliferation can be determined e.g. by detecting changes in number of cells over time, or by in vitro analysis of incorporation of 3 H-thymidine or by CFSE dilution assay, e.g. as described in Fulcher and Wong, Immunol Cell Biol (1999) 77(6): 559-564, hereby incorporated by reference in entirety.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is capable of inhibiting proliferation of cells harbouring mutation to BRAF V600, e.g. cells comprising the BRAF V600E or V600K mutation (see Example 10).
  • the antigen-binding molecule inhibits HER3-mediated signalling.
  • HER3-mediated signalling can be analysed e.g. using an assay of a correlate of HER3-mediated signalling, e.g. cell proliferation, and/or phosphorylation of one or more signal transduction molecules of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and/or MAPK signal transduction pathways.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is capable of inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR and/or MAPK signalling by HER3-expressing cells.
  • the level of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and/or MAPK signalling may be analysed by detection and quantification of the level of phosphorylation of one or more of the components of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and/or MAPK pathways, e.g. following stimulation with NRG (see Example 4.3).
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is capable of inhibiting proliferation of HER3-expressing cells, e.g. in response to stimulation with NRG. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is capable of inhibiting proliferation of HER3- expressing cells to less than less than 1 times, e.g.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is capable of inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR and/or MAPK signalling by HER3-expressing cells to less than less than 1 times, e.g. ⁇ 0.99 times, ⁇ 0.95 times, ⁇ 0.9 times, ⁇ 0.85 times, ⁇ 0.8 times, ⁇ 0.75 times, ⁇ 0.7 times, ⁇ 0.65 times, ⁇ 0.6 times, ⁇ 0.55 times, ⁇ 0.5 times, ⁇ 0.45 times, ⁇ 0.4 times, ⁇ 0.35 times, ⁇ 0.3 times, ⁇ 0.25 times, ⁇ 0.2 times, ⁇ 0.15 times, ⁇ 0.1 times, ⁇ 0.05 times, or ⁇ 0.01 times the level of signalling by HER3-expressing cells in the absence of the antigen-binding molecule (or in the presence of an appropriate control antigen-binding molecule), in a suitable assay.
  • HER3-mediated signalling can be investigated in vitro, e.g. as described in Example 8.9, or in vivo, e.g. as described in Example 11 .
  • ADCC activity can be analysed e.g. according to the methods described in Yamashita et al., Scientific Reports (2016) 6:19772 (hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety), or by 51 Cr release assay as described e.g. in Jedema et al., Blood (2004) 103: 2677-82 (hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). ADCC activity can also be analysed using the Pierce LDH Cytotoxicity Assay Kit, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions (as described in Example 5 herein). ADCP can be analysed e.g. according to the method described in Kamen et al., J Immunol (2017) 198 (1 Supplement) 157.17 (hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety).
  • the ability to induce CDC can be analysed e.g. using a C1q binding assay, e.g. as described in Schlothauer et al., Protein Engineering, Design and Selection (2016), 29(10):457-466 (hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety).
  • Thermostability of antigen-binding molecules can be analysed by methods well known to the skilled person, including Differential Scanning Fuorimetry and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), which are described e.g. in He et al., J Pharm Sci. (2010) which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • Thermostability may be reflected in terms of a melting temperature (Tm), unfolding temperature or disassembly temperature (expressed e.g. in °C or F°).
  • an antigen-binding molecule comprising an Fc region as described herein binds to an activatory Fc ⁇ receptor (e.g. hFc ⁇ Rlla (e.g. hFc ⁇ Rlla167H, hFc ⁇ Rlla167R), hFc ⁇ Rllla (e.g. hFc ⁇ Rllla158V, hFc ⁇ Rllla158F), mFc ⁇ RIV, mFc ⁇ RIII) with an affinity of binding which is greater than 1 times, e.g.
  • an activatory Fc ⁇ receptor e.g. hFc ⁇ Rlla (e.g. hFc ⁇ Rlla167H, hFc ⁇ Rlla167R), hFc ⁇ Rllla (e.g. hFc ⁇ Rllla158V, hFc ⁇ Rllla158F), mFc ⁇ RIV, mFc ⁇ RIII) with an affinity of binding which is greater than 1 times, e.g.
  • the K D of the antigen-binding molecule comprising an Fc region described herein for binding to the activatory Fc ⁇ receptor is less than 1 times, e.g.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprising an Fc region as described herein binds to an activatory Fc ⁇ receptor (e.g. hFc ⁇ Rlla (e.g. hFc ⁇ Rlla167H, hFc ⁇ Rlla167R), hFc ⁇ Rllla (e.g.
  • an antigen-binding molecule comprising an Fc region as described herein binds to an FcRn (e.g. hFcRn, mFcRn) with an affinity of binding which is greater than 1 times, e.g. greater than 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, or greater than 20 times the affinity of binding to the FcRn by an equivalent antigen-binding molecule having an Fc region comprised of CH2-CH3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:174-175.
  • the K D of the antigen-binding molecule comprising an Fc region described herein for binding to the FcRn is less than 1 times, e.g.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprising an Fc region as described herein binds to an FcRn (e.g. hFcRn, mFcRn) with a K D of 1000 nM or less, preferably one of 2500 nM, ⁇ 100 nM, ⁇ 75 nM, ⁇ 50 nM, ⁇ 40 nM, ⁇ 30 nM, ⁇ 20 nM, ⁇ 15 nM, ⁇ 12.5 nM, ⁇ 10 nM, ⁇ 9 nM, ⁇ 8 nM, ⁇ 7 nM, ⁇ 6 nM, ⁇ 5 nM, ⁇ 4 nM ⁇ 3 nM, ⁇ 2 nM or ⁇ 1 nM.
  • FcRn e.g. hFcRn, mFcRn
  • an antigen-binding molecule comprising an Fc region as described herein binds to an inhibitory Fc ⁇ receptor (e.g. hFc ⁇ Rllb mFc ⁇ Rllb) with an affinity of binding which is less than 1 times, e.g. less than 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, or less than 0.1 times the affinity of binding to the inhibitory Fc ⁇ receptor by an equivalent antigen-binding molecule having an Fc region comprised of CH2- CH3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 174-175.
  • an inhibitory Fc ⁇ receptor e.g. hFc ⁇ Rllb mFc ⁇ Rllb
  • the K D of the antigen-binding molecule comprising an Fc region described herein for binding to the inhibitory Fc ⁇ receptor is greater than 1 times, e.g. greater than 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or greater than 10 times the K D of an equivalent antigen-binding molecule having an Fc region comprised of CH2-CH3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:174-175 for the inhibitory Fc ⁇ receptor.
  • the antigen-binding molecule comprising an Fc region as described herein binds to an inhibitory Fc ⁇ receptor (e.g. hFc ⁇ Rllb mFc ⁇ Rllb) with a K D 1 nM or greater, preferably one of a 5 nM, > 10 nM, > 50 nM, > 100 nM, > 500 nM, > 1000 nM, > 2000 nM, > 3000 nM, > 4000 nM or > 5000 nM.
  • an inhibitory Fc ⁇ receptor e.g. hFc ⁇ Rllb mFc ⁇ Rllb
  • K D 1 nM or greater preferably one of a 5 nM, > 10 nM, > 50 nM, > 100 nM, > 500 nM, > 1000 nM, > 2000 nM, > 3000 nM, > 4000 nM or > 5000 nM.
  • the selectivity of binding for an activatory Fc ⁇ receptor (e.g. hFc ⁇ Rlla) relative to an inhibitory Fc ⁇ receptor (e.g. hFc ⁇ Rllb) for an antigen-binding molecule comprising an Fc region as described herein is greater than 1 times, e.g. greater than 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, or greater than 20 times selectivity of binding displayed by an equivalent antigen-binding molecule having an Fc region comprised of CH2-CH3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:174-175.
  • an antigen-binding molecule comprising an Fc region as described herein displays ADCC which is greater than 1 times, e.g. greater than 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, or greater than 20 times the ADCC displayed by an equivalent antigen-binding molecule having an Fc region comprised of CH2-CH3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:174-175.
  • the EC50 (ng/ml) for an antigen-binding molecule comprising an Fc region as described herein in an assay of ADCC activity is 500 ng/ml or less, preferably one of S400 ng/ml, ⁇ 300 ng/ml, ⁇ 200 ng/ml, ⁇ 100 ng/ml, ⁇ 90 ng/ml, ⁇ 80 ng/ml, ⁇ 70 ng/ml, ⁇ 60 ng/ml, ⁇ 50 ng/ml, ⁇ 40 ng/ml, ⁇ 30 ng/ml, ⁇ 20 ng/ml, or ⁇ 10 ng/ml.
  • an antigen-binding molecule comprising an Fc region as described herein may have a melting temperature, unfolding temperature or disassembly temperature which is which is > 0.75 times and ⁇ 1.25 times, e.g. 2 0.8 times and ⁇ 1.2 times, > 0.85 times and ⁇ 1.15 times, > 0.9 times and ⁇ 1.1 times, a 0.91 times and ⁇ 1.09 times, a 0.92 times and ⁇ 1.08 times, a 0.93 times and ⁇ 1.07 times, a 0.94 times and s 1.06 times, ⁇ 0.95 times and s 1.05 times, ⁇ 0.96 times and ⁇ 1.04 times, ⁇ 0.97 times and ⁇ 1 .03 times, 2 0.98 times and ⁇ 1 .02 times, or ⁇ 0.99 times and 1 .01 times the melting temperature, unfolding temperature or disassembly temperature of an equivalent antigen-binding molecule having an Fc region comprised of CH2-CH3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:174-17
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is capable of increasing killing of HER3-expressing cells. Killing of HER3-expressing cells may be increased through an effector function of the antigen-binding molecule.
  • antigen-binding molecule comprises an Fc region the antigen-binding molecule may increasing killing of HER3-expressing cells through one or more of complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP).
  • CDC complement dependent cytotoxicity
  • ADCC antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity
  • ADCP antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis
  • An antigen-binding molecule which is capable of increasing killing of HER3-expressing cells can be identified by observation of an increased level of killing of HER3-expressing cells in the presence of - or following incubation of the HER3-expressing cells with - the antigen-binding molecule, as compared to the level of cell killing detected in the absence of the antigen-binding molecule (or in the presence of an appropriate control antigen-binding molecule), in an appropriate assay. Assays of CDC, ADCC and ADCP are well known the skilled person. The level of killing of HER3-expressing cells can also be determined by measuring the number/proportion of viable and/or non-viable HER3-expressing cells following exposure to different treatment conditions.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is capable of increasing killing of HER3-expressing cells (e.g. HER3-expressing cancer cells) to more than 1 times, e.g. >1.01 times, ⁇ 1.02 times, ⁇ 1.03 times, ⁇ 1.04 times, ⁇ 1.05 times, ⁇ 1.1 times, ⁇ 1.2 times, ⁇ 1.3 times, ⁇ 1.4 times, ⁇ 1 .5 times, ⁇ 1 .6 times, ⁇ 1 .7 times, ⁇ 1 .8 times, ⁇ 1 .9 times, ⁇ 2 times, ⁇ 3 times, ⁇ 4 times, ⁇ 5 times, ⁇ 6 times, ⁇ 7 times, ⁇ 8 times, ⁇ 9 times or ⁇ 10 times the level of killing observed in the absence of the antigen-binding molecule (or in the presence of an appropriate control antigen-binding molecule).
  • HER3-expressing cells e.g. HER3-expressing cancer cells
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is capable of reducing the number of HER3-expressing cells (e.g. HER3-expressing cancer cells) to less than less than 1 times, e.g. ⁇ 0.99 times, ⁇ O.95 times, ⁇ 0.9 times, ⁇ 0.85 times, ⁇ 0.8 times, ⁇ 0.75 times, ⁇ 0.7 times, ⁇ 0.65 times, ⁇ 0.6 times, ⁇ 0.55 times, ⁇ 0.5 times, ⁇ 0.45 times, ⁇ 0.4 times, ⁇ 0.35 times, ⁇ 0.3 times, ⁇ 0.25 times, ⁇ 0.2 times, ⁇ 0.15 times, ⁇ 0.1 times, ⁇ 0.05 times, or ⁇ 0.01 times the number of HER3-expressing cells (e.g. HER3- expressing cancer cells) detected following incubation in the absence of the antigen-binding molecule (or following incubation in the presence of an appropriate control antigen-binding molecule), in a comparable assay.
  • HER3-expressing cells e.g. HER3-
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention inhibits the development and/or progression of cancer in vivo. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule causes an increase in the killing of cancer cells, e.g. by effector immune cells. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule causes a reduction in the number of cancer cells in vivo, e.g. as compared to an appropriate control condition. In some embodiments the antigen-binding molecule inhibits tumor growth, e.g. as determined by measuring tumor size/volume over time.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention may be analysed for the ability to inhibit development and/or progression of cancer in an appropriate in vivo model, e.g. cell line-derived xenograft model.
  • the cell line-derived xenograft model may be derived from HER3-expressing cancer cells.
  • the model is an N87 cell-derived model, a SNU16 cell-derived model, a FaDu cell- derived model, an OvCAR8 cell-derived model, a HCC95 cell-derived model, an A549 cell-derived model, an ACHN cell-derived model or a HT29 cell-derived model.
  • the cancer may be a HER3-associated cancer as described herein (i.e. cancers for which HER3 gene/protein expression is a risk factor for, and/or is positively associated with, the onset, development, progression or severity of symptoms of the cancer, and/or metastasis).
  • the cancer may comprise HER3- expressing cells.
  • the cancer comprises a HER3+ tumor.
  • administration of an antigen-binding molecule according to the present invention may cause one or more of: inhibition of the development/progression of the cancer, a delay to/prevention of onset of the cancer, a reduction in/delay to/prevention of tumor growth, a reduction in/delay to/prevention of metastasis, a reduction in the severity of the symptoms of the cancer, a reduction in the number of cancer cells, a reduction in tumour size/volume, and/or an increase in survival (e.g. progression free survival), e.g. as determined in an appropriate HER3-expressing cancer cell line-derived xenograft model.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention is capable of inhibiting tumor growth in a HER3-expressing cancer cell line-derived xenograft model to less than less than 1 times, e.g. ⁇ 0.99 times, ⁇ 0.95 times, ⁇ 0.9 times, ⁇ 0.85 times, ⁇ 0.8 times, ⁇ 0.75 times, ⁇ 0.7 times, ⁇ 0.65 times, ⁇ 0.6 times, ⁇ 0.55 times, ⁇ 0.5 times, ⁇ 0.45 times, ⁇ 0.4 times, ⁇ 0.35 times, ⁇ 0.3 times, ⁇ 0.25 times, ⁇ 0.2 times, ⁇ 0.15 times, ⁇ 0.1 times, ⁇ 0.05 times, or ⁇ 0.01 times the tumor growth observed in the absence of treatment with the antigen-binding molecule (or following treatment with an appropriate negative control antigen-binding molecule).
  • treatment of a subject with an antigen-binding molecule or other article disclosed herein e.g. composition, nucleic acid etc
  • treatment of a subject with an antigen-binding molecule or other article disclosed herein e.g. composition, nucleic acid etc
  • the antigen-binding molecule/article is administered to a subject at a dosage and/or in accordance with a dosage schedule described herein, may be associated with one or more of the following outcomes:
  • AEs adverse events
  • SAEs serious adverse events
  • DLTs dose limiting toxicities
  • tumour markers after treatment e.g. cell-free (cf) DNA alteration allele fraction/ tumour fraction, ctDNA, soluble HER3 and/or soluble NRG1
  • cf cell-free DNA alteration allele fraction/ tumour fraction, ctDNA, soluble HER3 and/or soluble NRG1
  • An adverse event is any untoward, undesired or unplanned medical occurrence in a patient administered an investigational medicinal product (IMP), a comparator product or an approved drug.
  • An AE can be a sign, symptom, disease, and/or laboratory or physiological observation that may or may not be related to the IMP or comparator.
  • An AE includes but is not limited to those in the following list.
  • SAE serious adverse event
  • • is life-threatening, i.e. an event when the patient was at substantial risk of dying at the time of the adverse event occurring or with continued use of the device or other medical product which might have resulted in the death of the patient; • requires in-patient hospitalisation or prolongs existing in-patient hospitalisation (some hospitalisations are exempt from SAE reporting e.g. hospital admissions planned prior to the patient entering the trial; overnight stays for planned procedures such a blood transfusions);
  • • is any other medically important event, i.e. any event that may jeopardise the patient or may require intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed above.
  • tumour/lesion responses are evaluated in accordance with the response evaluation criteria in solid tumours (RECIST) criteria, e.g. the RECIST 1.1 criteria as described in Eisenhauer et al., Eur J Cancer. 2009 Jan;45(2):228-47, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • RECIST solid tumours
  • tumour/lesion responses are evaluated in accordance with the Prostate Cancer Working Group 3 (PCWG3) criteria, e.g. as described in Scher et al., J Clin Oncol. 2016 Apr 20; 34(12):1402-18, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • PCWG3 Prostate Cancer Working Group 3
  • treatment of a subject with an antigen-binding molecule or article described herein may be associated with one or more of the following outcomes (as assessed in accordance with the RECIST 1.1 or PCWG3 criteria, as appropriate; see Example 16.10 for details and methods of assessment), e.g. at 12 and/or 24 months from the start of treatment:
  • a complete response refers to a complete macroscopic disappearance of all target and/or non-target tumours.
  • a CR may involve normalisation of tumour marker level;
  • OS Overall survival
  • OS overall survival
  • PFS Progression-free survival
  • PFS progression-free survival
  • PFS progression-free survival
  • PR refers to a reduction of at least 30% in the sum of all target tumour diameters compared to baseline sum diameters calculated before treatment
  • An increased proportion of subjects demonstrating a partial response e.g. as compared to the proportion of subjects displaying a PR who have not been treated with the antigen-binding molecule, or who have been treated with a different anti-HER3 antigen-binding molecule;
  • MR mixed response
  • PR refers to one or more tumour lesions fulfilling the criteria for PR and other tumour lesion(s) fulfilling the criteria for progressive disease (at least a 20% increase in the sum of all tumour diameters from the smallest tumour size and/or the appearance of a new tumour lesion);
  • MR mixed response
  • SD Stable disease
  • SD stable disease
  • SD stable disease
  • OR is defined as achieving Complete Response (OR) or Partial Response (PR); • An overall response rate (ORR). ORR is defined as the proportion of patients who have achieved Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR);
  • ORR e.g. as compared to the proportion of subjects displaying an OR who have not been treated with the antigen-binding molecule, or who have been treated with a different anti-HER3 antigen-binding molecule;
  • Tumour responses can be evaluated using the appropriate imaging technique according to the tumour and its location, e.g. CT scan, MRI scan and FDG-PET.
  • Appropriate techniques will be familiar to the skilled person and are described in Eisenhauer et al, supra, and/or in Example 16.10 herein.
  • the subject may be a subject defined herein, e.g. having, or determined to have, a cancer or solid tumour, e.g. according to the present disclosure.
  • the present invention also provides Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) comprising the antigen-binding molecules or polypeptides of the present invention.
  • CARs Chimeric Antigen Receptors
  • CARs are recombinant receptors that provide both antigen-binding and T cell activating functions.
  • CAR structure and engineering is reviewed, for example, in Dotti et al., Immunol Rev (2014) 257(1 ), hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • CARs comprise an antigen-binding region linked to a cell membrane anchor region and a signalling region.
  • An optional hinge region may provide separation between the antigen-binding region and cell membrane anchor region, and may act as a flexible linker.
  • the CAR of the present invention comprises an antigen-binding region which comprises or consists of the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention, or which comprises or consists of a polypeptide according to the invention.
  • the cell membrane anchor region is provided between the antigen-binding region and the signalling region of the CAR and provides for anchoring the CAR to the cell membrane of a cell expressing a CAR, with the antigen-binding region in the extracellular space, and signalling region inside the cell.
  • the CAR comprises a cell membrane anchor region comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence which comprises, consists of, or is derived from, the transmembrane region amino acid sequence for one of CD3- , CD4, CD8 or CD28.
  • a region which is ‘derived from’ a reference amino acid sequence comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 60%, e.g. one of at least 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to the reference sequence.
  • the signalling region of a CAR allows for activation of the T cell.
  • the CAR signalling regions may comprise the amino acid sequence of the intracellular domain of CD3- ⁇ , which provides immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) for phosphorylation and activation of the CAR-expressing T cell.
  • ITAMs immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs
  • Signalling regions comprising sequences of other ITAM-containing proteins such as Fc ⁇ RI have also been employed in CARs (Haynes et al., 2001 J Immunol 166(1 ):182-187).
  • Signalling regions of CARs may also comprise co-stimulatory sequences derived from the signalling region of co-stimulatory molecules, to facilitate activation of CAR-expressing T cells upon binding to the target protein.
  • Suitable co-stimulatory molecules include CD28, 0X40, 4-1 BB, ICOS and CD27.
  • CARs are engineered to provide for co-stimulation of different intracellular signalling pathways.
  • signalling associated with CD28 costimulation preferentially activates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (P13K) pathway, whereas the 4-1BB-mediated signalling is through TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF) adaptor proteins.
  • TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF) adaptor proteins TNF receptor associated factor
  • the CAR of the present invention comprises one or more co-stimulatory sequences comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence which comprises, consists of, or is derived from, the amino acid sequence of the intracellular domain of one or more of CD28, 0X40, 4-1 BB, ICOS and CD27.
  • an optional hinge region may provide separation between the antigen-binding domain and the transmembrane domain, and may act as a flexible linker. Hinge regions may be derived from lgG1.
  • the CAR of the present invention comprises a hinge region comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence which comprises, consists of, or is derived from, the amino acid sequence of the hinge region of lgG1.
  • a cell comprising a CAR according to the invention.
  • the CAR according to the present invention may be used to generate CAR-expressing immune cells, e.g. CAR-T or CAR-NK cells.
  • Engineering of CARs into immune cells may be performed during culture, in vitro.
  • the antigen-binding region of the CAR of the present invention may be provided with any suitable format, e.g. scFv, scFab, etc.
  • the present invention provides a nucleic acid, or a plurality of nucleic acids, encoding an antigen-binding molecule, polypeptide or CAR according to the present invention.
  • the nucleic acid is purified or isolated, e.g. from other nucleic acid, or naturally- occurring biological material.
  • the nucleic acid(s) comprise or consist of DNA and/or RNA.
  • the present invention also provides a vector, or plurality of vectors, comprising the nucleic acid or plurality of nucleic acids according to the present invention.
  • the nucleotide sequence may be contained in a vector, e.g. an expression vector.
  • a “vector” as used herein is a nucleic acid molecule used as a vehicle to transfer exogenous nucleic acid into a cell.
  • the vector may be a vector for expression of the nucleic acid in the cell.
  • Such vectors may include a promoter sequence operably linked to the nucleotide sequence encoding the sequence to be expressed.
  • a vector may also include a termination codon and expression enhancers. Any suitable vectors, promoters, enhancers and termination codons known in the art may be used to express a peptide or polypeptide from a vector according to the invention.
  • operably linked may include the situation where a selected nucleic acid sequence and regulatory nucleic acid sequence (e.g. promoter and/or enhancer) are covalently linked in such a way as to place the expression of nucleic acid sequence under the influence or control of the regulatory sequence (thereby forming an expression cassette).
  • a regulatory sequence is operably linked to the selected nucleic acid sequence if the regulatory sequence is capable of effecting transcription of the nucleic acid sequence.
  • the resulting transcript(s) may then be translated into a desired peptide(s)/polypeptide(s).
  • Suitable vectors include plasmids, binary vectors, DNA vectors, mRNA vectors, viral vectors (e.g. gammaretroviral vectors (e.g. murine Leukemia virus (MLV)-derived vectors), lentiviral vectors, adenovirus vectors, adeno-associated virus vectors, vaccinia virus vectors and herpesvirus vectors), transposon-based vectors, and artificial chromosomes (e.g. yeast artificial chromosomes).
  • viral vectors e.g. gammaretroviral vectors (e.g. murine Leukemia virus (MLV)-derived vectors), lentiviral vectors, adenovirus vectors, adeno-associated virus vectors, vaccinia virus vectors and herpesvirus vectors
  • lentiviral vectors e.g. murine Leukemia virus (MLV)-derived vectors
  • lentiviral vectors e.g. murine Leukemia virus (ML
  • the vector may be a eukaryotic vector, e.g. a vector comprising the elements necessary for expression of protein from the vector in a eukaryotic cell.
  • the vector may be a mammalian vector, e.g. comprising a cytomegalovirus (CMV) or SV40 promoter to drive protein expression.
  • CMV cytomegalovirus
  • Constituent polypeptides of an antigen-binding molecule according to the present invention may be encoded by different nucleic acids of the plurality of nucleic acids, or by different vectors of the plurality of vectors.
  • the present invention also provides a cell comprising or expressing an antigen-binding molecule, polypeptide or CAR according to the present invention. Also provided is a cell comprising or expressing a nucleic acid, a plurality of nucleic acids, a vector or a plurality of vectors according to the invention.
  • the cell may be a eukaryotic cell, e.g. a mammalian cell.
  • the mammal may be a primate (rhesus, cynomolgous, non-human primate or human) or a non-human mammal (e.g.
  • rabbit, guinea pig, rat, mouse or other rodent including any animal in the order Rodentia
  • cat dog, pig, sheep, goat, cattle (including cows, e.g. dairy cows, or any animal in the order Bos)
  • horse including any animal in the order Equidae
  • donkey and non-human primate.
  • the present invention also provides a method for producing a cell comprising a nucleic acid(s) or vector(s) according to the present invention, comprising introducing a nucleic acid, a plurality of nucleic acids, a vector or a plurality of vectors according to the present invention into a cell.
  • introducing an isolated nucleic acid(s) or vector(s) according to the invention into a cell comprises transformation, transfection, electroporation or transduction (e.g. retroviral transduction).
  • the present invention also provides a method for producing a cell expressing/comprising an antigen- binding molecule, polypeptide or CAR according to the present invention, comprising introducing a nucleic acid, a plurality of nucleic acids, a vector or a plurality of vectors according to the present invention in a cell.
  • the methods additionally comprise culturing the cell under conditions suitable for expression of the nucleic acid(s) or vector(s) by the cell.
  • the methods are performed in vitro.
  • the present invention also provides cells obtained or obtainable by the methods according to the present invention.
  • Antigen-binding molecules and polypeptides according to the invention may be prepared according to methods for the production of polypeptides known to the skilled person.
  • Polypeptides may be prepared by chemical synthesis, e.g. liquid or solid phase synthesis.
  • peptides/polypeptides can by synthesised using the methods described in, for example, Chandrudu et al., Molecules (2013), 18: 4373-4388, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • antigen-binding molecules and polypeptides may be produced by recombinant expression.
  • Molecular biology techniques suitable for recombinant production of polypeptides are well known in the art, such as those set out in Green and Sambrook, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (4th Edition), Cold Spring Harbor Press, 2012, and in Nat Methods. (2008); 5(2): 135-146 both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
  • Methods for the recombinant production of antigen-binding molecules are also described in Frenzel et al., Front Immunol. (2013); 4: 217 and Kunert and Reinhart, Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. (2016) 100: 3451-3461, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
  • the antigen-binding molecule of the present invention are comprised of more than one polypeptide chain.
  • production of the antigen-binding molecules may comprise transcription and translation of more than one polypeptide, and subsequent association of the polypeptide chains to form the antigen-binding molecule.
  • any cell suitable for the expression of polypeptides may be used.
  • the cell may be a prokaryote or eukaryote.
  • the cell is a prokaryotic cell, such as a cell of archaea or bacteria.
  • the bacteria may be Gram- negative bacteria such as bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae, for example Escherichia coli.
  • the cell is a eukaryotic cell such as a yeast cell, a plant cell, insect cell or a mammalian cell, e.g. CHO, HEK (e.g. HEK293), HeLa or COS cells.
  • the cell is a CHO cell that transiently or stably expresses the polypeptides.
  • the cell is not a prokaryotic cell because some prokaryotic cells do not allow for the same folding or post-translational modifications as eukaryotic cells.
  • very high expression levels are possible in eukaryotes and proteins can be easier to purify from eukaryotes using appropriate tags.
  • Specific plasmids may also be utilised which enhance secretion of the protein into the media.
  • polypeptides may be prepared by cell-free-protein synthesis (CFPS), e.g. according using a system described in Zemella et al. Chembiochem (2015) 16(17): 2420-2431, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • CFPS cell-free-protein synthesis
  • Production may involve culture or fermentation of a eukaryotic cell modified to express the polypeptide(s) of interest.
  • the culture or fermentation may be performed in a bioreactor provided with an appropriate supply of nutrients, air/oxygen and/or growth factors.
  • Secreted proteins can be collected by partitioning culture media/fermentation broth from the cells, extracting the protein content, and separating individual proteins to isolate secreted polypeptide(s).
  • Culture, fermentation and separation techniques are well known to those of skill in the art, and are described, for example, in Green and Sambrook, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (4th Edition; incorporated by reference herein above).
  • Bioreactors include one or more vessels in which cells may be cultured. Culture in the bioreactor may occur continuously, with a continuous flow of reactants into, and a continuous flow of cultured cells from, the reactor. Alternatively, the culture may occur in batches.
  • the bioreactor monitors and controls environmental conditions such as pH, oxygen, flow rates into and out of, and agitation within the vessel such that optimum conditions are provided for the cells being cultured.
  • the polypeptide(s) of interest may be isolated. Any suitable method for separating proteins from cells known in the art may be used. In order to isolate the polypeptide it may be necessary to separate the cells from nutrient medium. If the polypeptide(s) are secreted from the cells, the cells may be separated by centrifugation from the culture media that contains the secreted polypeptide(s) of interest. If the polypeptide(s) of interest collect within the cell, protein isolation may comprise centrifugation to separate cells from cell culture medium, treatment of the cell pellet with a lysis buffer, and cell disruption e.g. by sonification, rapid freeze-thaw or osmotic lysis.
  • polypeptide(s) of interest may be isolated from the supernatant or culture medium, which may contain other protein and non-protein components.
  • a common approach to separating protein components from a supernatant or culture medium is by precipitation. Proteins of different solubilities are precipitated at different concentrations of precipitating agent such as ammonium sulfate. For example, at low concentrations of precipitating agent, water soluble proteins are extracted. Thus, by adding different increasing concentrations of precipitating agent, proteins of different solubilities may be distinguished. Dialysis may be subsequently used to remove ammonium sulfate from the separated proteins.
  • precipitating agent such as ammonium sulfate
  • polypeptide(s) of interest may be desired or necessary to concentrate the polypeptide(s).
  • a number of methods for concentrating proteins are known in the art, such as ultrafiltration or lyophilisation.
  • the present invention also provides compositions comprising the antigen-binding molecules, polypeptides, CARs, nucleic acids, expression vectors and cells described herein.
  • the antigen-binding molecules, polypeptides, CARs, nucleic acids, expression vectors and cells described herein may be formulated as pharmaceutical compositions or medicaments for clinical use and may comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, excipient or adjuvant.
  • the composition may be formulated for topical, parenteral, systemic, intracavitary, intravenous, intra-arterial, intramuscular, intrathecal, intraocular, intraconjunctival, intratumoral, subcutaneous, intradermal, intrathecal, oral or transdermal routes of administration which may include injection or infusion.
  • Suitable formulations may comprise the antigen-binding molecule in a sterile or isotonic medium.
  • Medicaments and pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated in fluid, including gel, form.
  • Fluid formulations may be formulated for administration by injection or infusion (e.g. via catheter) to a selected region of the human or animal body.
  • composition is formulated for injection or infusion, e.g. into a blood vessel or tumor.
  • such methods of production may comprise one or more steps selected from: producing an antigen-binding molecule, polypeptide, CAR, nucleic acid (or plurality thereof), expression vector (or plurality thereof) or cell described herein; isolating an antigen-binding molecule, polypeptide, CAR, nucleic acid (or plurality thereof), expression vector (or plurality thereof) or cell described herein; and/or mixing an antigen-binding molecule, polypeptide, CAR, nucleic acid (or plurality thereof), expression vector (or plurality thereof) or cell described herein with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, excipient or diluent.
  • a further aspect the invention described herein relates to a method of formulating or producing a medicament or pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of a disease/condition (e.g. a cancer), the method comprising formulating a pharmaceutical composition or medicament by mixing an antigen-binding molecule, polypeptide, CAR, nucleic acid (or plurality thereof), expression vector (or plurality thereof) or cell described herein with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, excipient or diluent.
  • a disease/condition e.g. a cancer
  • the antigen-binding molecule may be provided in a composition comprising particular chemical constituents in specified concentrations/proportions.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a buffer.
  • a buffer refers to a buffered solution that resists changes in pH by the action of its acid-base conjugate components.
  • a buffer of the present disclosure preferably has a pH in the range from about 4.5 to about 7.0, preferably from about 5.0 to about 6.5. Examples of buffers that will control the pH in this range include acetate, histidine, histidine-arginine, histidine-methionine and other organic acid buffers.
  • the composition comprising the antigen-binding molecule has a pH of 4.0 to 7.0, e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH 6.2.
  • the composition has a pH of ⁇ 5.5.
  • the composition has a pH of ⁇ 5.8.
  • the composition has a pH of ⁇ 6.5.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in an acetate buffer, i.e. a buffer comprising acetate ions.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising acetate at a final concentration of 2 mM to 200 mM acetate, e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM.
  • the composition may comprise ⁇ 20 mM acetate.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a histidine buffer, i.e. a buffer comprising histidine ions.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising histidine at a final concentration of 2 mM to 200 mM histidine, e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM.
  • the composition may comprise ⁇ 20 mM histidine.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a sodium phosphate buffer, i.e. a buffer comprising sodium and phosphate ions.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising sodium phosphate at a final concentration of 2 mM to 200 mM sodium phosphate, e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM.
  • the composition may comprise ⁇ 20 mM sodium phosphate.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a sodium acetate buffer, i.e.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising sodium acetate at a final concentration of 2 mM to 200 mM sodium acetate, e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM.
  • the composition may comprise ⁇ 20 mM sodium acetate.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in an arginine buffer, i.e. a buffer comprising arginine ions.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising arginine at a final concentration of 1 mM to 250 mM arginine, e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM.
  • the composition may comprise ⁇ 20 mM arginine.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a histidine-arginine buffer, i.e. a buffer comprising histidine and arginine ions.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising histidine at a final concentration of 2 mM to 200 mM histidine, e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM, and arginine at a final concentration of 1 mM to 300 mM arginine, e.g.
  • the composition may comprise ⁇ 20 mM histidine and -150 mM arginine.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising sodium chloride.
  • the sodium chloride component of the composition may be provided at a final concentration of 1 mM to 250 mM sodium chloride, e.g. one of 10 mM to 250 mM, 50 mM to 200 mM, 75 mM to 200 mM, 100 mM to 180 mM, or 125 to 175 mM.
  • the composition may comprise -150 mM sodium chloride.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising methionine.
  • the methionine component of the composition may be provided at a final concentration of 1 mM to 250 mM methionine, e.g. one of 10 mM to 250 mM, 50 mM to 200 mM, 75 mM to 200 mM, 100 mM to 180 mM, or 125 to 175 mM.
  • the composition may comprise -150 mM methionine.
  • the composition comprising the antigen-binding molecule comprises an isotonicity agent.
  • Isotonicity agents may be used to provide isotonic formulations.
  • isotonicity agents include e.g. salts (e.g. sodium chloride, potassium chloride) and sugars (e.g. sucrose, glucose, trehalose).
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising sucrose.
  • the sucrose component of the composition may be provided at a final concentration (in weight by volume) of 2% to 20%, e.g. one of 2% to 15%, 3% to 12%, or 4% to 10%.
  • the composition may comprise -2, -4, -6, or -8% (w/v) sucrose.
  • the sucrose component of the composition may be provided at a final concentration of 200 to 300 nM, e.g. -240 mM.
  • the composition comprising the antigen-binding molecule comprises a surfactant.
  • a "surfactant” refers to an agent which lowers interfacial tension.
  • the surfactant is preferably a non-ionic surfactant.
  • examples of surfactants include polysorbate (polysorbate-20, polysorbate-80), poloxamer (poloxamer-188) and Triton X-100.
  • the surfactant is preferably present in the composition in the range from about 0.001% (w/v) to about 0.5% (w/v).
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising polysorbate- 20.
  • the polysorbate-20 component of the composition may be provided at a final concentration (in weight by volume) of 0.001% to 0.1%, e.g. one of 0.002% to 0.08%, 0.006% to 0.05%, or 0.008% to 0.04%.
  • the composition may comprise -0.02% (w/v) polysorbate-20.
  • the composition may comprise -0.05% (w/v) polysorbate-20.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising polysorbate- 80.
  • the polysorbate-80 component of the composition may be provided at a final concentration (in weight by volume) of 0.001% to 0.1%, e.g. one of 0.002% to 0.08%, 0.006% to 0.05%, or 0.008% to 0.04%.
  • the composition may comprise -0.01% (w/v) polysorbate-80.
  • the composition may comprise -0.02% (w/v) polysorbate-80.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • 2 mM to 200 mM e.g. e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM
  • histidine more preferably -20 mM histidine
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose more preferably -8% (w/v) sucrose
  • polysorbate-80 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH 6.2, more preferably pH -5.8.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • 2 mM to 200 mM e.g. e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM
  • histidine more preferably -20 mM histidine
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose more preferably -8% (w/v) sucrose
  • polysorbate-80 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH 6.2, more preferably pH -5.1.
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • 2 mM to 200 mM e.g. e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM
  • histidine more preferably -20 mM histidine
  • 1% to 20% e.g. one of 1% to 15%, 2% to 10%, or 3% to 8%
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose w/v
  • polysorbate-80 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • 2 mM to 200 mM e.g. e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM
  • histidine more preferably -20 mM histidine
  • sucrose 0.5% to 10% (e.g. one of 1% to 8%, 1.5% to 5%, or 1.8% to 3%) sucrose (w/v), more preferably -2% (w/v) sucrose;
  • polysorbate-80 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • 2 mM to 200 mM e.g. e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM
  • histidine more preferably -20 mM histidine
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose more preferably -8% (w/v) sucrose
  • polysorbate-80 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • 2 mM to 200 mM e.g. e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM
  • histidine more preferably -20 mM histidine
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose more preferably -8% (w/v) sucrose
  • polysorbate-20 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • 2 mM to 200 mM e.g. e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM
  • histidine more preferably -20 mM histidine
  • sucrose e.g. one of 2% to 15%, 3% to 12%, or 4% to 10%
  • sucrose w/v
  • polysorbate-20 e.g. one of 0.002% to 0.08%, 0.006% to 0.05%, or 0.008% to 0.04%
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • phosphate e.g. sodium phosphate, more preferably -20 mM phosphate;
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose more preferably -8% (w/v) sucrose
  • polysorbate-80 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • 2 mM to 200 mM (e.g. e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM) acetate e.g. sodium acetate, more preferably -20 mM acetate;
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose more preferably -8% (w/v) sucrose
  • polysorbate-80 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • 2 mM to 200 mM (e.g. e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM) acetate, more preferably -20 mM acetate;
  • 1 mM to 250 mM (e.g. one of 10 mM to 250 mM, 50 mM to 200 mM, 75 mM to 200 mM, 100 mM to 180 mM, or 125 to 175 mM) sodium chloride, more preferably -150 mM sodium chloride;
  • polysorbate-20 e.g. one of 0.002% to 0.09%, 0.006% to 0.08%, or 0.008% to 0.07%
  • polysorbate-20 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • 2 mM to 200 mM e.g. e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM
  • histidine more preferably -20 mM histidine
  • arginine 1 mM to 250 mM (e.g. one of 10 mM to 250 mM, 50 mM to 200 mM, 75 mM to 200 mM, 100 mM to 180 mM, or 125 to 175 mM) arginine, more preferably -150 mM arginine;
  • polysorbate-20 e.g. one of 0.002% to 0.09%, 0.006% to 0.08%, or 0.008% to 0.07%
  • polysorbate-20 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • 2 mM to 200 mM e.g. e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM
  • histidine more preferably ⁇ 20 mM histidine
  • arginine 1 mM to 250 mM (e.g. one of 10 mM to 250 mM, 50 mM to 200 mM, 75 mM to 200 mM, 100 mM to 180 mM, or 125 to 175 mM) arginine, more preferably -150 mM arginine;
  • polysorbate-80 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • 2 mM to 200 mM e.g. e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM
  • histidine more preferably -20 mM histidine
  • 1 mM to 250 mM (e.g. one of 10 mM to 250 mM, 50 mM to 200 mM, 75 mM to 200 mM, 100 mM to 180 mM, or 125 to 175 mM) sodium chloride, more preferably -150 mM sodium chloride;
  • polysorbate-80 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • 2 mM to 200 mM e.g. e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM
  • histidine more preferably -20 mM histidine
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose more preferably -8% (w/v) sucrose
  • polysorbate-80 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • 2 mM to 200 mM e.g. e.g. one of 5 mM to 100 mM, 10 mM to 40 mM, 12 mM to 30 mM, 15 to 25 mM, or 18 to 22 mM
  • histidine more preferably -20 mM histidine
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose more preferably -8% (w/v) sucrose
  • polysorbate-80 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH
  • the antigen-binding molecule is provided in a composition comprising:
  • succinate e.g. sodium succinate, more preferably ⁇ 20 mM succinate;
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose w/v
  • sucrose more preferably -8% (w/v) sucrose
  • polysorbate-80 w/v
  • pH 4.0 to 7.0 e.g. one of pH 4.5 to pH 6.8, pH 4.6 to pH 6.4, pH 4.8 to pH 6.2, or pH 5.0 to pH 6.2, more preferably pH -5.5.
  • the composition may comprise about 0.5 mg/mL to about 100 mg/mL antigen-binding molecule.
  • the composition may comprise about 0.5 mg/mL to about 80 mg/mL antigen-binding molecule.
  • the composition may comprise about 0.75 mg/mL to about 70 mg/mL antigen-binding molecule.
  • the composition may comprise about 1 mg/mL to about 60 mg/mL antigen-binding molecule.
  • the composition may comprise about 1.2 mg/mL to about 50 mg/mL antigen-binding molecule.
  • the antigen-binding molecule may be formulated at a concentration of about 30 mg/mL, about 35 mg/mL, about 40 mg/mL, about 45 mg/mL, about 50 mg/mL, about 55 mg/mL, about 60 mg/mL, about 65 mg/mL, or about 70 mg/mL, or any ranges therein, e.g. in a composition according to the present disclosure.
  • the antigen-binding molecule may be formulated at a concentration of about 50 mg/mL, e.g. in a composition according to the present disclosure.
  • the antigen-binding molecule may be formulated at a concentration of about 0.5 mg/mL, 0.6 mg/mL, 0.7 mg/mL, 0.8 mg/mL, 0.9 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mL, 1.1 mg/mL, 1.2 mg/mL, 1.3 mg/mL, 1.4 mg/mL, 1.5 mg/mL, 1.6 mg/mL, 1.7 mg/mL, 1.8 mg/mL, 1.9 mg/mL, or 2.0 mg/mL, e.g. in a composition according to the present disclosure.
  • the antigen-binding molecule may be formulated at a concentration of about 1.2 mg/mL, e.g. in a composition according to the present disclosure.
  • the 50 mg/mL antigen-binding molecule solution may be diluted before administration using any suitable excipient.
  • the 50 mg/mL antigen-binding molecule solution is diluted for administration in 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCI).
  • the 50 mg/mL antigen-binding molecule solution is diluted for administration to a concentration of at least 1.2 mg/mL, e.g. in a volume of 100 to 250 mL.
  • the diluted antigen-binding molecule solution is then administered to a subject, e.g. via intravenous administration, e.g. using a dose/dosing regime according to the present disclosure, e.g. to treat a disease/condition according to the present disclosure.
  • the diluted antigen-binding molecule solution is administered to the subject within 48 hours from the initial dilution step.
  • the antigen-binding molecules, polypeptides, CARs, nucleic acids, expression vectors, cells and compositions described herein find use in therapeutic and prophylactic methods.
  • the present invention provides an antigen-binding molecule, polypeptide, CAR, nucleic acid (or plurality thereof), expression vector (or plurality thereof), cell or composition described herein for use in a method of medical treatment or prophylaxis. Also provided is the use of an antigen-binding molecule, polypeptide, CAR, nucleic acid (or plurality thereof), expression vector (or plurality thereof), cell or composition described herein in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing a disease or condition.
  • the methods may be effective to reduce the development or progression of a disease/condition, alleviation of the symptoms of a disease/condition or reduction in the pathology of a disease/condition.
  • the methods may be effective to prevent progression of the disease/condition, e.g. to prevent worsening of, or to slow the rate of development of, the disease/condition.
  • the methods may lead to an improvement in the disease/condition, e.g. a reduction in the symptoms of the disease/condition or reduction in some other correlate of the severity/activity of the disease/condition.
  • the methods may prevent development of the disease/condition a later stage (e.g. a chronic stage or metastasis).
  • the articles of the present invention may be used for the treatment/prevention of any disease/condition that would derive therapeutic or prophylactic benefit from a reduction in the number and/or activity of cells expressing HER3.
  • the disease/condition may be a disease/condition in which cells expressing HER3 are pathologically implicated, e.g. a disease/condition in which an increased number/proportion of cells expressing HER3 is positively associated with the onset, development or progression of the disease/condition, and/or severity of one or more symptoms of the disease/condition, or for which an increased number/proportion of cells expressing HER3, is a risk factor for the onset, development or progression of the disease/condition.
  • the disease/condition to be treated/prevented in accordance with the present invention is a disease/condition characterised by an increase in the number/proportion/activity of cells expressing HER3, e.g. as compared to the number/proportion/activity of cells expressing HER3 in the absence of the disease/condition.
  • the disease/condition to be treated/prevented is a cancer.
  • the cancer may be any unwanted cell proliferation (or any disease manifesting itself by unwanted cell proliferation), neoplasm or tumor.
  • the cancer may be benign or malignant and may be primary or secondary (metastatic).
  • a neoplasm or tumor may be any abnormal growth or proliferation of cells and may be located in any tissue.
  • the cancer may be of tissues/cells derived from e.g. the adrenal gland, adrenal medulla, anus, appendix, bladder, blood, bone, bone marrow, brain, breast, cecum, central nervous system (including or excluding the brain) cerebellum, cervix, colon, duodenum, endometrium, epithelial cells (e.g.
  • kidney oesophagus
  • glial cells heart, ileum, jejunum, kidney, lacrimal glad, larynx, liver, lung, lymph, lymph node, lymphoblast, maxilla, mediastinum, mesentery, myometrium, nasopharynx, omentum, oral cavity, ovary, pancreas, parotid gland, peripheral nervous system, peritoneum, pleura, prostate, salivary gland, sigmoid colon, skin, small intestine, soft tissues, spleen, stomach, testis, thymus, thyroid gland, tongue, tonsil, trachea, uterus, vulva, and/or white blood cells.
  • Tumors to be treated may be nervous or non-nervous system tumors.
  • Nervous system tumors may originate either in the central or peripheral nervous system, e.g. glioma, medulloblastoma, meningioma, neurofibroma, ependymoma, Schwannoma, neurofibrosarcoma, astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma.
  • Non-nervous system cancers/tumors may originate in any other non-nervous tissue, examples include melanoma, mesothelioma, lymphoma, myeloma, leukemia, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin’s lymphoma, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), hepatoma, epidermoid carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, breast cancer, lung cancer , colon cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, thymic carcinoma, NSCLC, hematologic cancer and sarcoma.
  • NHL Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • CML chronic myelogenous leukemia
  • AML acute myeloid leukemia
  • MDS myelodysplastic syndrome
  • HER3 and its association with and role in cancer is reviewed e.g. in Karachaliou et al., BioDrugs. (2017) 31 (1 ):63-73 and Zhang et al., Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica (2016) 48(1): 39-48, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
  • a cancer is selected from: a cancer comprising cells expressing HER3, a solid tumor, breast cancer, breast carcinoma, ductal carcinoma, gastric cancer, gastric carcinoma, gastric adenocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, colorectal carcinoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma, head and neck cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, squamous cell lung carcinoma, ovarian cancer, ovarian carcinoma, ovarian serous adenocarcinoma, kidney cancer, renal cell carcinoma, renal clear cell carcinoma, renal cell adenocarcinoma, renal papillary cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, cervical cancer, cervical squamous cell carcinoma, skin cancer, melanoma, esophageal cancer, esophageal adenocarcinom
  • the cancer to be treated in accordance with the present invention is selected from: a HER3-expressing cancer, gastric cancer (e.g. gastric carcinoma, gastric adenocarcinoma, gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma), head and neck cancer (e.g. head and neck squamous cell carcinoma), breast cancer (e.g. triple negative breast cancer), ovarian cancer (e.g. ovarian carcinoma), lung cancer (e.g. NSCLC, lung adenocarcinoma, squamous lung cell carcinoma), melanoma, prostate cancer (e.g. castration resistant prostate cancer), oral cavity cancer (e.g. oropharyngeal cancer), renal cancer (e.g.
  • gastric cancer e.g. gastric carcinoma, gastric adenocarcinoma, gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma
  • head and neck cancer e.g. head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
  • breast cancer e.g. triple negative breast cancer
  • ovarian cancer e
  • the cancer to be treated in accordance with the present invention is a solid cancer expressing/overexpressing HER3 selected from: gastric cancer (e.g. gastric carcinoma, gastric adenocarcinoma, gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma), head and neck cancer (e.g. head and neck squamous cell carcinoma), breast cancer (e.g. triple negative breast cancer), ovarian cancer (e.g. ovarian carcinoma), lung cancer (e.g.
  • NSCLC lung adenocarcinoma, squamous lung cell carcinoma, invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma), melanoma
  • prostate cancer e.g. castration resistant prostate cancer
  • oral cavity cancer e.g. oropharyngeal cancer
  • colorectal cancer e.g. colorectal carcinoma; RAS wild type colorectal cancer
  • oesophageal cancer pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  • the cancer may be metastatic.
  • the treatment/prevention may be aimed at one or more of: delaying/preventing the onset/progression of symptoms of the cancer, reducing the severity of symptoms of the cancer, reducing the survival/growth/invasion/metastasis of cells of the cancer, reducing the number of cells of the cancer and/or increasing survival of the subject.
  • the cancer to be treated/prevented comprises cells expressing an EGFR family member (e.g. HER3, EGFR, HER2 or HER4), and/or cells expressing a ligand for an EGFR family member.
  • the cancer to be treated/prevented is a cancer which is positive for an EGFR family member.
  • the cancer over-expresses an EGFR family member and/or a ligand for an EGFR family member. Overexpression of can be determined by detection of a level of expression which is greater than the level of expression by equivalent non-cancerous cells/non-tumor tissue.
  • the cancer to be treated/prevented comprises cells expressing HER3 and another EGFR family member (e.g. EGFR, HER2 or HER4). In some embodiments, the cancer to be treated/prevented comprises cells overexpressing HER3 and overexpressing another EGFR family member (e.g. EGFR, HER2 or HER4). Overexpression of HER3/another EGFR family member can be determined by detection of a level of expression of HER3/another EGFR family member which is greater than the level of expression by equivalent non-cancerous cells/non-tumor tissue.
  • Expression may be determined by any suitable means.
  • Expression may be gene expression (e.g. transcriptional upregulation) or protein expression.
  • Gene expression can be determined e.g. by detection of mRNA encoding HER3, for example by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).
  • Protein expression can be determined e.g. by for example by antibody-based methods, for example by western blot, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, or ELISA.
  • the cancer to be treated/prevented comprises cells expressing HER3.
  • the cancer to be treated/prevented is a cancer which is positive for HER3.
  • the cancer over-expresses HER3.
  • Overexpression of HER3 can be determined by detection of a level of expression of HER3 which is greater than the level of expression by equivalent non-cancerous cells/non-tumor tissue.
  • a patient may be selected for treatment described herein based on the detection of a cancer expressing HER3, or overexpressing HER3, e.g. in a sample obtained from the patient.
  • a patient may be selected for treatment described herein based on the detection of a cancer expressing HER3 and another EGFR family member (e.g. EGFR, HER2 or HER4), or overexpressing HER3 and another EGFR family member (e.g. EGFR, HER2 or HER4), e.g. in a sample obtained from the patient.
  • a cancer expressing HER3 and another EGFR family member e.g. EGFR, HER2 or HER4
  • overexpressing HER3 and another EGFR family member e.g. EGFR, HER2 or HER4
  • the cancer to be treated/prevented comprises cells expressing a ligand for HER3 (e.g. NRG1 and/or NRG2).
  • the cancer to be treated/prevented comprises cells expressing a level of expression of NRG1 and/or NRG2 which is greater than the level of expression by equivalent non-cancerous cells/non-tumor tissue.
  • the cancer may be described as comprising cells that overexpress NRG1 and/or NRG2.
  • HER3-binding antigen-binding molecules described herein are demonstrated to bind to HER3 with extremely high affinity when HER3 is bound by NRG (i.e. when HER3 is provided in the ‘open’ conformation), and also when HER3 is not bound by NRG (i.e. when HER3 is provided in the ‘closed’ conformation).
  • antigen-binding molecules of the present invention are particularly useful for the treatment/prevention of cancers characterised by HER3 ligand expression/overexpression, for example cancers/tumors comprising cells expressing/overexpressing a ligand for HER3.
  • a patient may be selected for treatment described herein based on the detection of a cancer characterised by HER3 ligand expression/overexpression, such as a cancer comprising cells expressing/overexpressing NRG1 and/or NRG2, e.g. in a sample obtained from the subject.
  • Selection based on detection of HER3 ligand expression/overexpression may be combined with selection based on detection of HER3 and/or another EGFR family member (e.g. EGFR, HER2 or HER4).
  • the cancer to be treated in accordance with the present invention comprises cells harbouring a genetic variant (e.g. a mutation) which causes increased (gene and/or protein) expression of a ligand for HER3, relative to comparable cells harbouring a reference allele not comprising the genetic variant (e.g. a non-mutated, or ‘wildtype’ allele).
  • the genetic variant may be or comprise insertion, deletion, substitution to, or larger-scale translocation/rearrangement of, the nucleotide sequence relative to the reference allele.
  • a mutation ‘resulting in’ increased expression of a ligand for HER3 may be known or predicted to cause, or may be associated with, increased gene/protein expression of a ligand for HER3. Mutations resulting in increased expression of a ligand for HER3 may be referred to as ‘activating’ mutations.
  • a mutation which causes increased expression of a ligand for HER3 may result in gene or protein expression of a ligand for HER3 which is not expressed by, and/or not encoded by genomic nucleic acid of, an equivalent cell not harbouring the mutation. That is, the ligand for HER3 may be a neoantigen arising as a result of the mutation, and thus ‘increased expression’ may be from no expression.
  • a cell comprising CD74-NRG1 gene fusion displays increased expression of the CD74-NRG1 fusion polypeptide encoded by the gene fusion relative to cells lacking the CD74-NRG1 gene fusion.
  • a mutation which causes increased expression of a ligand for HER3 may result in increased gene or protein expression of a ligand for HER3 which is expressed by, and/or which is encoded by genomic nucleic acid of, an equivalent cell not comprising the mutation.
  • a cell may comprise a mutation resulting in an increase in the level of transcription of nucleic acid encoding NRG1 relative to level of transcription of nucleic acid encoding NRG1 by an equivalent cell not comprising the mutation.
  • a mutation which causes increased expression of a ligand for HER3 may cause an increase in gene expression of a ligand for HER3 relative to an equivalent cell not comprising the mutation. In some embodiments, a mutation which causes increased expression of a ligand for HER3 may cause an increase in protein expression of a ligand for HER3 relative to an equivalent cell not comprising the mutation.
  • a mutation which causes increased expression of a ligand for HER3 may cause an increase in the level of a ligand for HER3 on or at the cell surface of a cell comprising the mutation, relative to an equivalent cell not comprising the mutation. In some embodiments, a mutation which causes increased expression of a ligand for HER3 may cause an increase in the level of a secretion of a ligand for HER3 from a cell comprising the mutation, relative to an equivalent cell not comprising the mutation.
  • Cells having increased expression of a ligand for HER3 relative to the level of expression of the ligand for HER3 by a reference cell may be described as ‘overexpressing’ the ligand for HER3, or having ‘upregulated expression’ of the ligand for HER3.
  • a cancer comprising cells harbouring a mutation resulting in increased expression of a ligand for HER3 relative to equivalent cells lacking the mutation may be described as a cancer comprising cells displaying overexpression/upregulated expression of the ligand for HER3.
  • the reference cell lacking the mutation may be a non-cancerous cell (e.g. of equivalent cell type) or a cancerous cell (e.g. of equivalent cancer type).
  • a ‘ligand for HER3’ is generally intended to refer to molecule capable of binding to HER3 through the ligand binding region of HER3 formed by domains I and III of HER3.
  • a ligand for HER3 binds to HER3 via interaction with domains I and/or III of HER3.
  • Exemplary ligands for HER3 include Neuregulins such as NRG1 and NRG2, which bind to HER3 via interaction between their EGF- like domains and the ligand binding region of HER3.
  • the HER3 ligand is preferably able to bind and trigger signalling through the HER3 receptor and/or receptor complexes comprising HER3.
  • receptor complexes comprising HER3 may further comprise an interaction partner for HER3 as described herein, e.g. HER3, HER2, EGFR, HER4, HGFR, IGF1R and/or cMet).
  • the ligand for HER3 is able to bind to HER3 receptor/receptor complex expressed by a cell other than the cell having increased expression of the HER3 ligand.
  • the ligand for HER3 is able to bind to a HER3-expressing cancer cell.
  • the ligand for HER3 is able to bind to HER3 receptor/receptor complex expressed by the cell having increased expression of the HER3 ligand.
  • the cancer to be treated comprises (i) cells expressing HER3, and (ii) cells expressing a ligand for HER3 (e.g. having increased expression of a ligand for HER3, e.g. as a consequence of mutation resulting in increased expression of a ligand for HER3).
  • a ligand for HER3 e.g. having increased expression of a ligand for HER3, e.g. as a consequence of mutation resulting in increased expression of a ligand for HER3
  • the cancer to be treated comprises cells which (i) express HER3 and (ii) which also express a ligand for HER3 (e.g. which have increased expression of a ligand for HER3, e.g. as a consequence of mutation resulting in increased expression of a ligand for HER3).
  • a ligand for HER3 e.g. which have increased expression of a ligand for HER3, e.g. as a consequence of mutation resulting in increased expression of a ligand for HER3
  • the ligand for HER3 comprises, or consists of, the amino acid sequence a HER3- binding region of a ligand for HER3, or an amino acid sequence derived from a HER3-binding region of a ligand for HER3.
  • An amino acid sequence which is derived from a HER3-binding region of a ligand for HER3 may comprise at least 60% (e.g. 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100%) amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence from which it is derived.
  • the ligand for HER3 comprises an EGF-like domain capable of binding to HER3, or a HER3-binding fragment thereof.
  • a HER3-binding EGF-like domain/fragment is, or is derived from, an EGF family member (e.g. heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), transforming growth factor-a (TGF-a), amphiregulin (AR), epiregulin (EPR), epigen, betacellulin (BTC), NRG1, NRG2, NRG3 or NRG4).
  • EGF family member e.g. heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), transforming growth factor-a (TGF-a), amphiregulin (AR), epiregulin (EPR), epigen, betacellulin (BTC), NRG1, NRG2, NRG3 or NRG4
  • EGF family members contain one or more repeats of the conserved amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:240, which contains six cysteine residues that form three intramolecular disulfide bonds, providing three structural loops required for high-affinity binding to their cognate receptors (see Harris et al. Experimental Cell Research (2003) 284(1): 2-13).
  • a ligand for HER3 comprises one or more copies of an amino acid sequence conforming to the consensus sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:240.
  • Exemplary ligands for HER3 include Neuregulins (NRGs).
  • Neuregulins include NRG1, NRG2, NRG3 and NRG4.
  • the amino acid sequence of human NRG1 (alpha isoform) is shown in SEQ ID NO:232.
  • the alpha isoform and several other isoforms of human NRG1 (including alphala isoform (see UnitProt: Q02297-2), alpha2b isoform (see UnitProt: Q02297-3) and alpha3 isoform (see UnitProt: Q02297-4)) comprise the EGF-like domain shown in SEQ ID NO:233, through which they bind to HER3.
  • the amino acid sequence of human NRG2 (isoform 1) is shown in SEQ ID NO:234.
  • Isoform 1 and several other isoforms of human NRG2 comprise the EGF-like domain shown in SEQ ID NO:235, through which they bind to HER3.
  • the amino acid sequence of human NRG3 is shown in SEQ ID NO:236, and the EGF-like domain of human NRG3 shown in SEQ ID NO:237.
  • an NRG is selected from NRG1, NRG2, NRG3 and NRG4. In some embodiments, an NRG is selected from NRG1 and NRG2.
  • an EGF-like domain/fragment comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence having at least 60% (e.g. 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100%) amino acid sequence identity to the EGF-like domain of an NRG (NRG1, NRG2, NRG3 or NRG4).
  • an EGF-like domain/fragment comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence having at least 60% (e.g.
  • the ligand for HER3 is an NRG (e.g. NRG1 , NRG2, NRG3 or NRG4; e.g. NRG1 or NRG2), or comprises an amino acid sequence derived from an amino acid sequence of an NRG (i.e. comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 60% (e.g. 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100%) amino acid sequence identity to an amino acid sequence of an NRG.
  • NRG e.g. NRG1 , NRG2, NRG3 or NRG4; e.g. NRG1 or NRG2
  • an amino acid sequence derived from an amino acid sequence of an NRG i.e. comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 60% (e.g. 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100%) amino
  • the ligand for HER3 comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence having at least 60% (e.g. 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100%) amino acid sequence identity to the HER3-binding region of a ligand for HER3 (e.g. an NRG, e.g. NRG1, NRG2, NRG3 or NRG4; e.g. NRG1 or NRG2).
  • a ligand for HER3 comprises, or consists of, an amino acid sequence having at least 60% (e.g.
  • NRG amino acid sequence identity to the EGF-like domain of an NRG (e.g. NRG1, NRG2, NRG3 or NRG4; e.g. NRG1 or NRG2).
  • NRG e.g. NRG1, NRG2, NRG3 or NRG4; e.g. NRG1 or NRG2.
  • a ligand for HER3 is not an EGFR family protein (e.g. HER3, HER2, EGFR, HER4, HGFR, IGF1R, cMet).
  • the mutation resulting in increased expression of a ligand for HER3 is an NRG gene fusion.
  • the ligand for HER3 is the product of (i.e. a polypeptide encoded by) an NRG gene fusion.
  • the cancer comprises cells having an NRG gene fusion.
  • an “NRG gene fusion” refers to a genetic variant encoding a polypeptide comprising (i) an amino acid sequence of an NRG protein (e.g. NRG1, NRG2, NRG3 or NRG4; e.g. NRG1 or NRG2), and (ii) an amino acid sequence of a protein other than the NRG protein.
  • an NRG gene fusion preferably encodes a HER3 ligand as described herein.
  • an NRG gene fusion encodes a polypeptide comprising a HER3-binding region of an NRG protein.
  • an NRG gene fusion encodes a polypeptide comprising the EGF- like domain of an NRG protein, or an amino acid sequence which is capable of binding to HER3 and having at least 60% (e.g. 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100%) amino acid sequence identity to the EGF-like domain of an NRG protein.
  • an NRG gene fusion encodes a fusion polypeptide comprising a transmembrane domain. In some embodiments, an NRG gene fusion encodes a fusion polypeptide comprising the transmembrane domain of a protein other than the NRG protein.
  • an NRG gene fusion is an NRG1 gene fusion.
  • the NRG1 gene fusion encodes a polypeptide comprising the EGF-like domain of NRG1, or an amino acid sequence which is capable of binding to HER3 and having at least 60% (e.g. 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100%) amino acid sequence identity to the EGF-like domain of NRG1.
  • NRG1 gene fusions are described e.g. in WO 2018/182422 A1 , WO 2019/051155 A1, Dhanasekaran et al., Nat Commun. (2014) 5: 5893, Drilon et al., Cancer Discov. (2016) 8(6):686-695, Nagasaka et al., Journal of Thoracic Oncology (2019) 14(8):1354-1359 and Jonna et al., Clin Cancer Res. (2019) 25(16):4966-4972, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
  • the diversity of NRG1 gene fusions may result from NRG1 being located on chromosome 8, which is particularly susceptible to genomic translocation events (Adelaide et al., Genes Chromosomes Cancer. (2003) 37(4):333-45).
  • an NRG1 gene fusion is selected from CLU-NRG1, CD74-NRG1, DOC4-NRG1, SLC3A2-NRG1, RBPMS-NRG1, WRN-NRG1, SDC4-NRG1, RAB2IL1-NRG1, VAMP2-NRG1, KIF13B- NRG1, THAP7-NRG1, SMAD4-NRG1, MDK-NRG1, TNC-NRG1, DIP2B-NRG1, MRPL13-NRG1, PARP8- NRG1, ROCK1-NRG1, DPYSL2-NRG1, ATP1B1-NRG1, CDH6-NRG1, APP-NRG1, AKAP13-NRG1, THBS1-NRG1, FOXA1-NRG1, PDE7A- NRG1, RAB3IL1-NRG1, CDK1-NRG1, BMPRIB-NRG1, TNFRSF10B-NRG1, and MCPH1-NRG1.
  • an NRG1 gene fusion is selected
  • CD74-NRG1 gene fusion is described e.g. in Fernandez-Cuesta et al. Cancer Discov. (2014) 4:415-22 and Nakaoku et al., Clin Cancer Res (2014) 20:3087-93.
  • DOC4-NRG1 gene fusion is described e.g. in Liu et al., Oncogene. (1999) 18(50):7110-4 and Wang et al., Oncogene. (1999) 18(41 ):5718-21.
  • SLC3A2- NRG1 gene fusion is described e.g.

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