In this paper by Irene Shajan we show how native antibodies already approved for therapeutic use can be converted into bispecific T cell engaging constructs. These bispecific antibody-based constructs (bsAcs) are non-toxic entities that trigger T cell-mediated tumor killing at low picomolar concentrations! Fantastic collaboration with the labs of Vijay Chudasama (UCL) and Chris Scott (QUB).

Very happy to announce that NWO granted our OTP proposal to develop stealth antibodies that lower unwanted toxic effects (SALUTE). Together with Sandra Heskamp (Radboudumc) with the support of Synaffix, Genmab, and EnzyTag, we will develop generic methods to improve the dose-to-tumor delivery of antibody-based therapeutics.

Positions will be announced in due course.

Finally! Bio-orthogonal click chemistry received the Chemistry NP2022. It was awarded to Carolyn Bertozzi, Morten Meldal, and Barry Sharpless.

For the importance of click chemistry in cancer research, read the article in Cancer Discovery News. As click chemistry is at the core of what we do, I was interviewed.