ESBATech's Antibody Fragments Penetrate the Eye from Topical Delivery

ESBATech AG (Zurich, Switzerland) has achieved high concentrations of its antibody fragments in all segments of the eye with topical delivery via eye drops. These data were confirmed in several independent preclinical in vivo tests.

Anticipated therapeutic concentrations of ESBATech’s antibody fragments were observed in the anterior chamber (front of the eye) and in the posterior segments (back of the eye) including the vitreous humor, retina, and choroid. ESBATech’s lead antibody fragment, ESBA105, is a TNF-alpha antagonist that is scheduled to enter clinical development later in 2008.

Antibody fragments are an emerging area of focus within the monoclonal antibody market and represent a new class of therapeutics. Because of their smaller molecular size, antibody fragments have a number of advantages over whole antibodies. Antibody fragments comprise only the naturally occurring antigen-binding pocket of the monoclonal antibody, and not the Fc part that is required to trigger an immune response. This new class of new products opens applications in indications where no such immune response is required. Thus, endogenous proteins are preferred targets for these new biologics.