Abstract: The present application relates to antibodies specifically binding to the V-domain immunoglobulin-containing suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) at acidic pH and their use in cancer treatment. In some embodiments, the antibodies bind specifically to human VISTA at acidic pH, but do not significantly bind to human VISTA at neutral or physiological pH.

Abstract: A polypeptide encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) comprising at least one extracellular binding domain that comprises a scFv formed by at least a VH chain and a VL chain specific to an antigen, wherein said extracellular binding domain comprises at least one mAb-specific epitope.

Abstract: Methods of identifying and using PSGL-1 antagonists are provided. Such methods include, but are not limited to, methods of treating cancer. PSGL-1 antagonists include, but are not limited to, antibodies that bind PSGL-1 and antibodies that bind VISTA, wherein the antibodies inhibit PSGL-1 binding to VISTA, e.g., at acidic pH (e.g., pH 6.0), as well as PSGL-1 and VISTA extracellular domain polypeptides.

Abstract: Provided herein are heavy chain constant regions (referred to as “modified heavy chain constant regions”), or functionally equivalent fragments thereof, that enhance biological properties of antibodies relative to the same antibodies in unmodified form. An exemplary modified heavy chain constant region includes an IgG2 hinge and three constant domains (i.e., CH1, CH2, and CH3 domains), wherein one or more of the constant region domains are of a non-IgG2 isotype (e.g., IgG1, IgG3 or IgG4). The heavy chain constant region may comprise wildtype human IgG domain sequences, or variants of these sequences. Also provided herein are methods for enhancing certain biological properties of antibodies that comprise a non-IgG2 hinge, such as internalization, agonism and antagonism, wherein the method comprises replacing the non-IgG2 hinge of the antibody with an IgG2 hinge.

Abstract: The present application relates to antibodies specifically binding to the V-domain immunoglobulin-containing suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) at acidic pH and their use in cancer treatment. In some embodiments, the antibodies bind specifically to human VISTA at acidic pH, but do not significantly bind to human VISTA at neutral or physiological pH.

Abstract: The invention provides CARs (CARs) that specifically bind to BCMA (B-Cell Maturation Antigen). The invention further relates to engineered immune cells comprising such CARs, CAR-encoding nucleic acids, and methods of making such CARs, engineered immune cells, and nucleic acids. The invention further relates to therapeutic methods for use of these CARs and engineered immune cells for the treatment of a condition associated with malignant cells expressing BCMA (e.g., cancer).

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies, e.g., full length antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof, that specifically bind to BCMA (B-Cell Maturation Antigen) and/or CD3 (Cluster of Differentiation 3). The invention also relates to antibody conjugates (e.g., antibody-drug-conjugates) comprising the BCMA antibodies, compositions comprising the BCMA antibodies, and methods of using the BCMA antibodies and their conjugates for treating conditions associated with cells expressing BCMA (e.g., cancer or autoimmune disease). The invention further relates to heteromultimeric antibodies that specifically bind to CD3 and a tumor cell antigen, (e.g., bispecific antibodies that specifically bind to CD3 and BCMA). Compositions comprising such heteromultimeric antibodies, methods for producing and purifying such heterodimeric antibodies, and their use in diagnostics and therapeutics are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies, e.g., full length antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof, that specifically bind to BCMA (B-Cell Maturation Antigen) and/or CD3 (Cluster of Differentiation 3). The invention also relates to antibody conjugates (e.g., antibody-drug-conjugates) comprising the BCMA antibodies, compositions comprising the BCMA antibodies, and methods of using the BCMA antibodies and their conjugates for treating conditions associated with cells expressing BCMA (e.g., cancer or autoimmune disease). The invention further relates to heteromultimeric antibodies that specifically bind to CD3 and a tumor cell antigen, (e.g., bispecific antibodies that specifically bind to CD3 and BCMA). Compositions comprising such heteromultimeric antibodies, methods for producing and purifying such heterodimeric antibodies, and their use in diagnostics and therapeutics are also provided.

Abstract: A prodrugged antibody has a blocking moiety attached to a Cys on its heavy or light chain via a linker having a cleavable moiety. The blocking moiety inhibits binding of the antibody to its antigen. Cleavage of the cleavable moiety releases the blocking moiety and restores ability of the antibody to bind to its antigen.

Abstract: Universal antibody libraries are described which are synthetic and derived from expressed human antibody sequences selected accordingly to certain criteria, for example, that the sequences are derived from naturally-occurring antibodies expressed in response to a certain antigen class (e.g., small molecule, polysaccharide, peptide, or protein) and having CDR regions engineered for optimal diversity. Methods for making and screening such libraries for isolating therapeutics suitable for treating disease are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are agonist antibodies that bind to human CD40 with enhanced agonist activity. Such antibodies comprise Fc regions with amino acid substitutions that enhance the agonist activity of the antibody compared with a similar IgG1 antibody. Such substitutions include sequence variants in the IgG2 hinge region and sequence variants that enhance hexamerization of the antibodies. The invention also provides methods of treatment of cancer or chronic infection by administering the antibodies of the invention to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure provides isolated antibodies, for example, monoclonal antibodies, that specifically bind to the C-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 8 (CCR8) expressed on the surface of a cell and mediate depletion of the CCR8-expressing cell by anti-body-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The disclosure provides methods for treating a subject afflicted with a cancer comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-CCR8 antibody as monotherapy or in combination with an anti-cancer agent such as an immune checkpoint inhibitor, for example, an anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibody.

Abstract: A prodrugged antibody has a blocking moiety attached to a Cys on its heavy or light chain via a linker having a cleavable moiety. The blocking moiety inhibits binding of the antibody to its antigen. Cleavage of the cleavable moiety releases the blocking moiety and restores ability of the antibody to bind to its antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides transglutaminase-mediated antibody-drug conjugates with high anti-body-drug ratio (DAR) comprising 1) glutamine-containing tags, endogenous glutamines, and/or endogenous glutamines made reactive by antibody engineering or an engineered transglutaminase (e.g., with altered substrate specifity); and 2) amine donor agents comprising amine donor units, linkers, and agent moieties, wherein the DAR is at least about 5. The invention also provides methods of making and methods of using such higher drug loaded antibody-drug conjugates.

Abstract: The present application relates to antibodies specifically binding to the V-domain immunoglobulin-containing suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) at acidic pH and their use in cancer treatment. In some embodiments, the antibodies bind specifically to human VISTA at acidic pH, but do not significantly bind to human VISTA at neutral or physiological pH.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic animals comprising some or all components of a human heavy and/or light chain immunoglobulin variable region locus, methods of making such animals, methods of making human antibodies using such animals, and methods of treatment using the human antibodies made in such animals, wherein the animals comprise in their genome a plurality of human heavy chain V gene segments all of which are immediately preceded by the same first leader peptide-encoding sequence, and/or a plurality of human light chain V gene segments all of which are immediately preceded by the same second leader peptide-encoding sequence, or both. The invention also provides polynucleotide constructs comprising two or more human heavy or light chain leader/V gene segments comprising identical leader peptide-encoding sequences.

Abstract: The invention provides CARs (CARs) that specifically bind to BCMA (B-Cell Maturation Antigen). The invention further relates to engineered immune cells comprising such CARs, CAR-encoding nucleic acids, and methods of making such CARs, engineered immune cells, and nucleic acids. The invention further relates to therapeutic methods for use of these CARs and engineered immune cells for the treatment of a condition associated with malignant cells expressing BCMA (e.g., cancer).

Abstract: The present invention relates to engineered heteromultimeric proteins, and more specifically, to methods for producing and purifying heterodimeric proteins, such as bispecific antibodies and other heterodimeric proteins comprising immunoglubulin-like hinge sequences. Methods for producing and purifying such engineered heterodimeric proteins and their use in diagnostics and therapeutics are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of identifying and using PSGL-1 antagonists are provided. Such methods include, but are not limited to, methods of treating cancer. PSGL-1 antagonists include, but are not limited to, antibodies that bind PSGL-1 and antibodies that bind VISTA, wherein the antibodies inhibit PSGL-1 binding to VISTA, e.g., at acidic pH (e.g., pH 6.0), as well as PSGL-1 and VISTA extracellular domain polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides antagonizing antibodies that bind to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and methods of using same. The anti-PD-1 antibodies can be used therapeutically alone or in combination with other therapeutics to treat cancer and other diseases.