ModDetect™: Detect PS Modifications Independent of Sequence or Location
Choosing oligonucleotide drug candidates during early discovery stages and further assessment of these candidates in the pre-clinical stages of drug development can be time-consuming and laborious. Moreover, assessing pharmacokinetics (PK) by further elucidating absorption, distribution, metabolic, and excretion (ADME) profiles of a given oligonucleotide or multiple oligonucleotides, in addition to understanding their pharmacodynamic (PD) properties, is essential to the movement of the best candidates in the pipeline. Although current assays can address these parameters, they have certain disadvantages, such as the need for multiple probes, sequence specificity, decreased sensitivity for larger oligonucleotides, or handling and disposal of radioactive materials.
Immunoassays provide a novel approach for collecting critical data to further shed light on PK/ADME parameters and combat some disadvantages of the current methods; however, antibody development to oligonucleotides can be challenging and is typically specific to a particular sequence. Rockland has a demonstrated history of successful custom antibody generation against different nucleic acid targets, including modified oligonucleotides and nucleosides, heteroduplexes, and single-stranded and double-stranded DNA and RNAs.
With this in mind, we set out using our deep knowledge, expertise, and proprietary technologies to develop our ModDetect™ line, which consists of the very first antibody specialty reagent panels that detect many common nucleic acid modifications made to oligonucleotide therapeutics independent of the oligonucleotide sequence and location of the modification. Our first available panel in the ModDetect™ Line is our Anti-Phosphorothioate (PS) Panel, with additional modification panels for 2'-O-MOE, 2'-O-ME, and Locked Nucleic Acids (LNAs) to follow over the coming months.
Antibodies in the PS Panel are readily available and can save 6-9 months of time because the unique specificity of the antibodies allows for overall faster candidate triage in programs. Additionally, the anti-PS antibodies have the potential to serve as readily available analytical tools for determining biodistribution and cellular localization, as well as in immunogenicity studies, ADA assays, or additional assays where antibody detection is desired. Multiple clones in one modification panel provide the opportunity for fit-for-purpose antibodies when several immunoassays or sample types are used.
All of Rockland’s ModDetect™ and custom anti-oligonucleotide antibodies are designed, developed, optimized, and validated in our facilities outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, where we ensure supply chain security and protect client confidentiality and intellectual property.
Contact us today to learn more or visit our website to enroll in our Early Access Program to experience the unique specificity of our ModDetect™ panels firsthand.
