Anti-serum albumin domain antibodies in the development of highly potent, efficacious and long-acting interferon

Serum albumin-binding domain antibodies (AlbudAbs) have previously been shown to greatly extend the serum half-life of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist IL-1ra. We have subsequently extended this approach to look at the in vitro activity, in vivo efficacy and pharmacokinetics of an agonist molecule, interferon (IFN)-a2b, fused to an AlbudAb. Here we describe this molecule and show that in this format AlbudAb half-life extension technology displays significant advantages in comparison with other methods of half-life extension, in particular genetic fusion to serum albumin. When compared directly IFN-a2b fused to an Albudab shows higher potency, increased serum half-life and greater efficacy than human serum albumin fused to IFN-a2b. AlbudAbs are therefore an ideal platform technology for creation of therapeutics with agonist activity and long serum half-lives.