Integral Molecular releases MPS antibody discovery platform

Integral Molecular, Inc., a leader in membrane protein reagents and services, announces the launch of its Membrane Protein Solutions (MPS^TM) antibody discovery platform. MPS^TM enables the isolation, characterization, and engineering of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against difficult membrane protein targets including GPCRs, transporters and ion channels. The technology platform harnesses the strength of Integral's expertise and 10+ years of research experience in membrane protein expression and analysis. MPS^TM applies Integral's proprietary Lipoparticle and Shotgun Mutagenesis technologies, facilitating high concentration antigen presentation, comprehensive epitope mapping, and antibody engineering for the isolation and advancement of high-value, pre-clinical ready MAbs against a wide variety of membrane proteins.

“Although membrane proteins make up nearly 50% of existing drug targets, there are currently no FDA approved MAbs that target GPCRs, ion channels or transporters”

"Although membrane proteins make up nearly 50% of existing drug targets, there are currently no FDA approved MAbs that target GPCRs, ion channels or transporters," said Benjamin Doranz, President of Integral Molecular. "We are excited to provide the MPS^TM platform for advancing high value preclinical ready MAbs against intractable membrane proteins. The first of our internal programs, against the ion channel P2X3, has resulted in high affinity, inhibitory antibodies that will be developed for the treatment of neuropathic and inflammatory pain, and these MAbs represent some of the few inhibitory antibodies developed against any ion channel."

The MPS^TM platform has been used at Integral Molecular to develop a pipeline of several dozen MAbs against complex membrane proteins that are involved in a variety of human diseases, including cancer, inflammation, pain, and infectious diseases. The company is seeking partnerships with companies who are interested in working with Integral Molecular to develop these MAbs and isolate antibodies against additional high value targets.