Bioconjugate & ADC Commercial Manufacturing - Abzena

Antibody-Oligonucleotide Conjugate (AOC) Development

We provide end-to-end continuity, unrivalled bioconjugation expertise, robust analytical support and regulatory foresight to accelerate your AOC development program.

Antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) combine the gene-modulating power of oligonucleotides with the exquisite targeting and pharmacokinetics (PK) of antibodies, broadening therapeutic options for rare and genetically defined diseases.

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Abzena couples more than two decades of bioconjugation know-how with deep oligo chemistry expertise to streamline every step of AOC design, from target assessment through cGMP manufacture.

Why Oligos Need An Experienced Development Partner

Bioconjugate Development

Unmodified oligonucleotides face rapid nuclease degradation, poor pharmacokinetics, and inefficient tissue penetration. Chemical backbone tweaks can help, but precise, tissue-specific delivery still demands a carrier to enter the antibody. Conjugation bridges the PK and targeting gaps while preserving gene-silencing potency, enabling a successful, targeted delivery.

Our Integrated AOC Development Platform

Bioconjugate & ADC Analytical Method Development - Abzena

  • Concept & Design: Target and oligo sequence assessment, linker strategy selection, early in-silico developability screens.
  • Oligonucleotide API Development: GMP sourcing, QC, and release-testing of siRNA/ASO payloads, seamlessly feeding downstream conjugation.
  • Antibody & Oligo Development: Cell-line generation (AbZelectPRO™), antibody engineering, and oligo modification for stability and activity.
  • Conjugation Process Development: Site-specific or stochastic chemistries tuned for the desired oligo-to-antibody ratio (OAR) and manufacturability.
  • Analytical & Bioassay Suite: Orthogonal SEC-MS, UV, ICP-MS, and hybridization assays to confirm OAR, purity, aggregation, and biological activity.
  • Formulation & Stability: Phase-appropriate liquid or lyophilized formats qualified for long-term storage and clinical use.
  • cGMP Manufacturing & Release: Dedicated conjugation suites and isolator technology for oligo and antibody handling, backed by global QA/Reg-CMC support.

Selecting The Right Linker Function

Linker Payload Design & Synthesis - Abzena

  • Conjugation Chemistry: Determines site specificity, OAR, and scalability. Maleimide-thiol, NHS-ester, copper-free click (DBCO/azide), and proprietary maleimide-based or click-chemistry linkers.
  • Plasma Stability: Prevents premature oligo loss and off-target uptake, tunable cleavable vs. non-cleavable linkers; in-house serum stability panels.
  • The Release Mechanism: Ensures oligo is functional inside the target cell: pH-labile hydrazones, enzymatic peptide spacers, and reducible disulfides.
  • Manufacturability: Influences yield, homogeneity, and regulatory acceptance. Scalable, IPC-driven processes with ≤ 2 % high molecular weight species at pilot scale.

Our scientists run head-to-head linker bake-offs, balancing systemic stability with efficient intracellular release, then lock the winner into a robust, reproducible process ready for scale-up.

On-Demand Webinar: Solving the AOC Puzzle

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Access our on-demand webinar ‘Solving the AOC Puzzle: Strategies for chemistry, manufacturing and regulatory success’ to explore how we can meet the challenges of developing and manufacturing AOCs. Hear from Dr Stephen Verespy, Scientific Leader, and Dr Jeffrey Mocny, Vice President of Regulatory Strategy at Abzena, as they directly address key issues in AOC development.

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Why do innovators choose Abzena for developing AOCs?

  • End-to-end continuity: A single-quality system spanning oligonucleotide API development through fill-finish eliminates the risk of technical transfers.
  • Multidisciplinary depth: Encompassing antibody engineering, complex chemistry, and oligo development under one roof accelerates timelines.
  • Data-driven de-risking: Abzena’s streamlined analytical development workflow and extensive catalogue of bioassays, delivers rapid, high-fidelity insight.
  • Regulatory foresight: Global CMC and quality teams author, defend, and update dossiers to keep programs inspection-ready.
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Related News + Insights

On-Demand Webinar: Solving the AOC Puzzle - Strategies for chemistry, manufacturing and regulatory success

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Case Study: Applications of Membrane Adsorber Chromatography & Oligo-mAb

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On-Demand Webinar: De-Risking Early Development Strategies for AOCs

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What are your drug development goals? - Abzena

Move your AOC forward.

From oligonucleotide API development to GMP conjugation, Abzena aligns every discipline you need to transform ambitious oligo therapeutics into clinic-ready AOCs.

Contact us to discuss your oligo development goals today.

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