Bispecific T cell Engagers

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application serial number 62/968,999 filed on January 31 , 2020, U.S. provisional patent application serial number 62/981 ,048 filed on February 25, 2020 and U.S. provisional patent application serial number 62/991 ,070 filed on March 17, 2020. The contents of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

[0002] The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on February 1 , 2021 , is named GB1-002US_SL.txt and is 979,504 bytes in size.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates generally to cancer therapies, and more specifically, to novel compounds comprising anti-DLL3, CLDN18.2 and Muc17 antibodies or immunoreactive fragments thereof for the treatment of cancer.

BACKGROUND

[0004] Cancer is generally defined as a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. In 2019, roughly 1.8 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Each year, an estimated 606,880 people will die from cancer in the United States. Lung and bronchus cancer is responsible for the most deaths. Colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer are the second and third most common causes of cancer death respectively.

[0005] Cancer has been linked to several factors including smoking, obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity and excessive consumption of alcohol. Other factors include certain infections, exposure to ionizing radiation and environmental pollutants. Certain cancers have been linked to infections such as Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human papillomavirus infection, Epstein-Barr virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

[0006] Conventional cancer treatments are directed at removing cancerous tissue and preventing it from spreading. Such treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy and palliative care. Treatments are usually pursued based on the type, location and grade of the cancer as well as the patient's health and preferences. These options have limitations. They can be ineffective, particularly when cancer has metastasized. Moreover, chemotherapy and radiation therapy have a range of side-effects related to cell toxicity.

[0007] Because cancer cells divide faster than most normal cells, they can be sensitive to chemotherapy drugs. However, chemotherapy drugs will also attack other cells in the body, especially fast-dividing cells such as blood cells and the cells lining the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Accordingly, there is a need for improved medications and methods of treating cancer that are more targeted and have less deleterious side effects.

[0008] A promising area for the development of treatments includes targeted therapies using antibodies. For example, the use of antibody drug conjugates can be used to target a drug toward a tumor. Immunoconjugates are antibodies conjugated (joined) to a second molecule, usually a toxin, radioisotope or label. Immunoconjugates can provide for relatively high concentrations of drug within the tumor whereas systemic administration of unconjugated (i.e., untargeted) drug to achieve the same tumor concentration can lead to levels that are toxic to normal cells.

[0009] Another promising area is development of treatments that harness the immune system to attack and kill tumor cells. Checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-CTLA4, anti-PD1 and anti-PDL1 therapies have changed the way cancer is treated. Similarly, the direct activation of cytotoxic T cells by bispecific T cell engagers or CAR-T engineered T cells, has led to previously unseen cures in many types of cancers.

[0010] Delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) is an inhibitory notch ligand that is expressed at relatively low levels in normal tissues. It is expressed at high levels in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and other neuroendocrine tumors, thus presenting potential therapeutic target in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

[0011 ] Mucin 17, also referred to as MUC17, is a member of the mucin family that is composed of more than 20 members. Mucins are large, highly glycosylated membrane bound proteins. They generally function in mucosal areas to protect epithelial cells from their environment, as well as to regulate proliferation and survival of cells. MUC17 is expressed in pancreatic, appendiceal, and some colon cancers and thus is a target antigen for these cancers. Thus, MUC17 is a candidate for targeting of therapies such as antibody drug conjugates, T cell engagers, and CAR-T cells.

[0012] Claudin-18 (CLD18) is a protein in humans that is encoded by the CLDN18 gene. It belongs to the group of claudins, a family of proteins that form components of tight cell junction strands in epithelial cells. Studies have demonstrated that Isoform 2 (Claudin 18.2 or CLDN18.2) is abundant in gastric tumors. It has exposed extracellular loops and is available for monoclonal antibody binding. These biological characteristics have led to the development of monoclonal antibodies against claudin 18.2, such as claudiximab (IMAB362).

[0013] CD3, CD28 and CD137 are receptors present on T-cells. T cells can be activated though CD3, CD28 and CD137, by antigen-presenting cells that utilize the activation signals MHC Class I and II, CD80 and CD86, and 4-1 BBL, respectively. CD3 is part of the T cell receptor (TCR) and is the signaling component for the receptor. There are three CD3 subunits, epsilon, delta and gamma. Epsilon associates with both delta and zeta and together they are responsible for signaling. CD3 signaling is considered signal 1 that is required to activate T cells. The co-receptors, CD28 and CD137, are considered signal 2. Both signal 1 and signal 2 are required for full activation, proliferation and survival of T cells.

[0014] The present invention discloses bispecific T Cell Engagers. The bispecific molecules can bind to DLL3, MUC17 and/or CLDN18.2 and activate CD (cluster of differentiation) molecules (e.g. CD3, CD28 and CD137). Also provided are methods of treating an ailment such as cancer using antibodies and antibody conjugates, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and articles of manufacture.

SUMMARY

[0015] The inventions described and claimed herein have many attributes and embodiments including, but not limited to, those set forth or described or referenced in this brief summary. The inventions described and claimed herein are not limited to, or by, the features or embodiments identified in this summary, which is included for purposes of illustration only and not restriction.

[0016] An aspect of the invention is an antibody against DLL3. The antibody can be a fragment such as an antigen binding fragment (Fab) or a single chain variable fragment (Scfvs).

[0017] An aspect of the invention is an agonist antibody that activates CD3, CD28 and/or CD137.

[0018] An aspect of the invention is a bispecific molecule that includes an antibody (or fragment) against DLL3 paired with an antibody (or fragment) of an agonist antibody that activates CD3, CD28 or CD137.

[0019] An aspect of the invention is a method of treating an ailment such as cancer using an antibody (or fragment) against DLL3 paired with an antibody (or fragment) of an agonist antibody that activates CD3, CD28 or CD137.

[0020] An aspect of the invention is a method of treating an ailment that uses two or more of the bispecific molecules described herein in combination with one another.

[0021] An aspect on the invention is a method of activating T-cell cytotoxicity against DLL3 expressing cells.

[0022] An aspect of the invention is a method of activating T-cell cytotoxicity using a bispecific molecule the includes an antibody (or fragment) against DLL3 paired with an antibody (or fragment) of an agonist antibody that activates CD3, CD28 or CD137.

[0023] An aspect of the invention is a humanized antibody which binds to human DLL3 protein comprising a heavy chain variable domain having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 56 - 74 or 75.

[0024] The disclosed methods can utilize any DLL3 antibody, including for example, an anti-DLL3 antibody comprising three CDRs of a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 - 27 or 29.

[0025] An aspect of the invention is a humanized antibody which binds to human DLL3 protein comprising a light chain variable domain having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 76 - 90 or 91.

[0026] The disclosed methods can utilize any DLL3 antibody, including for example, an anti-DLL3 antibody comprising three CDRs of a light chain variable region amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32 - 54 or 55.

[0027] An aspect of the invention is an antibody against MUC17. The antibody can be a fragment such as an antigen binding fragment (Fab) or a single chain variable fragment (Scfv).

[0028] An aspect of the invention is an agonist antibody that activates CD3, CD28 and/or CD137.

[0029] An aspect of the invention is a bispecific molecule that includes an antibody (or fragment) against MUC17 paired with an antibody (or fragment) of an agonist antibody that activates CD3, CD28 or CD137.

[0030] An aspect of the invention is a method of treating an ailment such as cancer using an antibody (or fragment) against MUC17 paired with an antibody (or fragment) of an agonist antibody that activates CD3, CD28 or CD137.

[0031] An aspect of the invention is a method of treating an ailment that uses two or more of the bispecific molecules described herein in combination with one another.

[0032] An aspect on the invention is a method of activating T-cell cytotoxicity against MUC17 expressing cells.

[0033] An aspect of the invention is a method of activating T-cell cytotoxicity using a bispecific molecule the includes an antibody (or fragment) against MUC17 paired with an antibody (or fragment) of an agonist antibody that activates CD3, CD28 or CD137.

[0034] An aspect of the invention is a humanized antibody which binds to human MUC17 protein comprising a heavy chain variable domain having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 127 - 245 or 246.

[0035] The disclosed methods can utilize any MUC17 antibody, including for example, an anti-MUC17 antibody comprising three CDRs of a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 92 - 111 or 112.

[0036] The disclosed methods can utilize any MUC17 antibody, including for example, an anti-MUC17 antibody comprising three CDRs of a light chain variable region amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 113 - 125 or 126.

[0037] An aspect of the invention is a humanized antibody which binds to human MUC17 protein comprising a light chain variable domain having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 147 - 168 or 169.

[0038] The disclosed methods can utilize any MUC17 antibody, including for example, an anti-MUC17 antibody comprising three CDRs of a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 92 - 111 or 112.

[0039] The disclosed methods can utilize any MUC17 antibody, including for example, an anti-MUC17 antibody comprising three CDRs of a light chain variable region amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 113 - 125 or 126.

[0040] An aspect of the invention is a method of treating an ailment such as cancer using an antibody (or fragment) against CLDN18.2 paired with an antibody (or fragment) of an agonist antibody that activates CD3, CD28 or CD137.

[0041] An aspect on the invention is a method of activating T-cell cytotoxicity against CLDN18.2 expressing cells.

[0042] An aspect of the invention is a method of activating T-cell cytotoxicity using a bispecific molecule the includes an antibody (or fragment) against CLDN18.2 paired with an antibody (or fragment) of an agonist antibody that activates CD3, CD28 or CD137.

[0043] The disclosed methods can utilize any CLDN18.2 antibody, including for example, an anti-CLDN18.2 antibody comprising three CDRs of a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 170 - 186 or 187.

[0044] An aspect of the invention is a humanized antibody which binds to human CLDN18.2 protein comprising a heavy chain variable domain having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 197 - 205 or 206.

[0045] The disclosed methods can utilize any CLDN18.2 antibody, including for example, an anti-CLDN18.2 antibody comprising three CDRs of a light chain variable region amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 188 - 195 or 196.

[0046] An aspect of the invention is a humanized antibody which binds to human CLDN18.2 protein comprising a light chain variable domain having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 207 - 212 or 213. [0047] The disclosed methods can utilize any CLDN18.2 antibody, including for example, an anti-CLDN18.2 antibody comprising three CDRs of a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 170 - 186 or 187.

[0048] The disclosed methods can utilize any CLDN18.2 antibody, including for example, an anti-CLDN18.2 antibody comprising three CDRs of a light chain variable region amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 188 - 195 or 196.

[0049] In some embodiments, the targeting domains are linked to one another by peptide bonds via peptide linkers or through covalent conjugates using appropriate crosslinking technologies known in the art.

[0050] In some embodiments, the targeting domains comprise antibody variable regions. In some embodiments, the targeting domains are in the form of a single domain antibody (sdAb), a fragment variable (Fv) heterodimer, a single chain Fv (scFv), a Fab fragment, a TriFab, or a combination thereof.

[0051] In some embodiments, the bispecific molecules are administered with a checkpoint inhibitor.

[0052] In some embodiments, the bispecific molecules are administered with an anti- PD1 and/or anti-PDL1 antagonists.

[0053] Other features and advantages of aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of the present invention. In such drawings:

[0055] FIG. 1Ato 1F depict Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention.

[0056] FIG. 1 A depicts an anti-CD3, anti-DLL3 (Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule [0057] FIG. 1B depicts an anti-CD28, anti-DLL3 (Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule

[0058] FIG. 1C depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD3 (Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule

[0059] FIG. 1D depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD28 (Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule

[0060] FIG. 1E depicts an anti-CD137, anti-DLL3 (Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule

[0061] FIG. 1F depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD137 (Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule

[0062] FIG. 2A to 2C depict several scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention.

[0063] FIG. 2A depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD3 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule.

[0064] FIG. 2B depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD28 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule

[0065] FIG. 2C depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD137 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule

[0066] FIG. 2D to 2F depict several scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention.

[0067] FIG. 2D depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD3, anti-DLL3 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule.

[0068] FIG. 2E depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD28, anti-DLL3 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule.

[0069] FIG. 2F depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD137, anti-DLL3 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule.

[0070] FIG. 3A is a graph that demonstrates the binding of anti-DLL3 antibodies to human DLL3 expressing CHO cells.

[0071] FIG. 3B is a graph of that demonstrates the binding of anti-DLL3 antibodies to CHO cells expressing cynomulgus DLL3.

[0072] FIG. 4 is a graph of that demonstrates the binding of anti-DLL3 scfv-Fc to human DLL3 expressing CHO cells.

[0073] FIG. 5 is a graph showing DLL3Fab-Fc x CD3scfv-Fc mediated killing of huDLL3 expressing CHO cells by human T cells [0074] FIG. 6 is a graph showing DLL3Fab-Fc x CD3scfv-Fc mediated activation of human T-cells in the presence of huDLL3 expressing CHO cells.

[0075] FIG. 7 is a graph showing DLL3scfv-CD3scfv-Fc x Fc killing of huDLL3 expressing CHO cells by human T cells.

[0076] FIG. 8 is a graph showing DLL3scfv-CD3scfv-Fc x Fc mediated activation of human T-cells in the presence of huDLL3 expressing CHO cells.

[0077] FIG. 9A - 9C are graphs showing DLL3Fab-Fc x DLL3scfv-CD3scfv-Fc mediated killing of huDLL3 expressing NCI-H82 cells by human T cells.

[0078] FIG. 10A and 10B are graphs showing Anti-CD3 variants of DLL3Fab-Fc x CD3scfv-Fc and DLL3scfv-CD3scfv-Fc formatted molecules mediating the killing of huDLL3 expressing NCI-H82 cells by human T cells.

[0079] FIG. 11 A - 11 F are graphs showing DLL3Fab-Fc x CD28Scfv-Fc mediated IL-2 secretion by huPBMCs in the presence of huDLL3 expressing NCI-H82 cells in combination with DLL3scfv-CD3scfv-scFc or DLL3Fab-CD3scfv-Fc.

[0080] FIG. 12 is a chart of HPLC-size exclusion chromatography analysis of HEK293 transiently expressed and Protein A purified bispecifics using various CD3 variants.

[0081] FIG 13 is a graph showing the killing of NC1-H82 tumor cells of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with variants of 3D22I.

[0082] FIG 14 is a graph showing the expression of CD25 by PBMCs when stimulated with variants of 3D22I in the presence of NC1-H82 tumor cells.

[0083] FIG 15 is a graph showing DLL3 scfv x CD3scfv x DLL3 Fab variant 3D45I more potently stimulates killing of NCI-H82 cells by PBMCs than 3D39I.

[0084] FIG 16 is a graph showing DLL3 scfv x CD3scfv x DLL3 Fab variant 3D45I more potently stimulates expression of CD25 by PBMCs in the presence of NCI-H82 cells than 3D39I.

[0085] FIG 17 is a graph showing CD28scfv-Fc x DLL3Fab-Fc bispecific molecules in combination with 50M of CD3-DLL3 benchmark, 3DBM, activate T-cells to secrete IL-2 better than 3DBM alone. [0086] FIG 18 is a graph showing CD28scfv-Fc (C50S) x DLL3-Fab-Fc variants 28D13 and 28D15, with the free cysteine in the anti-CD28 molecule engineered out, induce IL-2 secretion by PBMCs similarly to the parental molecule, 28D10, when combined with 50pM benchmark, 3DBM in the presence of NCI-H82 cells.

[0087] FIG 19A is a graph showing Urelumab increases IFNy secretion when in combination with 50pM CD3xDLL3 T cell engager benchmark (BM) molecule.

[0088] FIG 19B is a graph showing 4-1 BB Fab-Fc x DLL3scfv-Fc bispecific 4D3 increases IFNy secretion when in combination with 50pM CD3xDLL3 T cell engager benchmark (BM) molecule.

[0089] FIG. 20A depicts an anti-CD137, anti-DLL3 Fab molecule.

[0090] FIG. 21 A to 21 F depict Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention. FIG. 21 A depicts an anti-CD3, anti-MUC17 (Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule

[0091] FIG. 21 B depicts an anti-CD28, anti-MUC17 (Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule

[0092] FIG. 21 C depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD3 (Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule

[0093] FIG. 21 D depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD28 (Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule

[0094] FIG. 21 E depicts an anti-CD137, anti-MUC17 (Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule

[0095] FIG. 21 F depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD137 (Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule

[0096] FIG. 22A to 22F depict several scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention. FIG. 22A depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD3 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule.

[0097] FIG. 22B depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD28 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule.

[0098] FIG. 22C depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD137 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule.

[0099] FIG. 22D depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD3, anti-MUC17 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc) molecule.

[00100] FIG. 22E depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD28, anti-MUC17 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab- Fc) molecule. [00101] FIG. 22F depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD137, anti-MUC17 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab- Fc) molecule.

[00102] FIG. 23 is a graph that demonstrates MUC17xCD3 Bispecifics bind CHOK1 cells expressing MUC17.

[00103] FIG. 24 is a graph that demonstrates MUC17xCD3 Bispecifics bind to ASPC1 tumor cells.

[00104] FIG. 25 is a graph showing MUC17xCD3 Bispecific molecules activate human PBMC T cells to kill MUC17 expressing CHO cells.

[00105] FIG. 26A is a graph showing MUC17xCD3 Bispecifics of various formats of antibody 1 MU32A activating PBMC T cells to kill of ASPC1 cells.

[00106] FIG. 26B is a graph showing MUC17xCD3 Bispecifics of various formats of antibody 1MU32A increase the levels of the T cell activation marker CD25 in the presence of ASPC1 cells.

[00107] FIG. 26C - 26F depict the bispecific molecules 3M46C, 3M64C, 3M62C and 3M66C.

[00108] FIG. 27A is a graph showing MUC17xCD3 Bispecifics of various formats of antibody 1MU11 A activating PBMC T cells to kill ofASPCI cells

[00109] FIG. 27B is a graph showing MUC17xCD3 Bispecifics of various formats of antibody 1MU11A increase the levels of the T cell activation marker CD25 in the presence of ASPC1 cells.

[00110] FIG. 27C - 27F depict the bispecific molecules 3M55C, 3M63C, 3M61C and 3M65C.

[00111] FIG. 28A is a graph showing CD28xMuc17 Bispecific molecules, 28M1 , 28M2, and 28M3, in combination with 10pM of MUC17xCD3 Bispecific molecule 3M62C activate T- cells to secrete IL-2 in the presence of ASPCI cells.

[00112] FIG. 28B is a graph showing CD28xMuc17 Bispecific molecules, 28M1 , 28M2, and 28M3, in combination with 10pM of MUC17xCD3 Bispecific molecule 3M62C activate T- cells to express CD25 in the presence of ASPCI cells. [00113] FIG. 28C - 28F depict the bispecific molecules 28M1 , 28M2, 28M3 and 3M62C.

[00114] FIG. 29A is a graph showing CD28xMuc17 Bispecific molecules, 28M1 , 28M2, and 28M3, in combination with 20pM of MUC17xCD3 Bispecific molecule 3M55C activate T- cells to secrete IL-2 in the presence of ASPC1 cells.

[00115] FIG. 29B is a graph showing CD28xMuc17 Bispecific molecules, 28M1 , 28M2, and 28M3, in combination with 20pM of MUC17xCD3 Bispecific molecule 3M55C activate T- cells to express CD25 in the presence of ASPC1 cells.

[00116] FIG. 29C - 29F depict the bispecific molecules 28M1 , 28M2, 28M3 and 3M55C.

[00117] FIG. 30A is a graph showing CD28xMuc17 Bispecific molecules, 28M1 , 28M2, and 28M3 alone do not activate T-cells to secrete IL-2 in the presence of ASPC1 cells.

[00118] FIG. 30B is a graph showing CD28xMuc17 Bispecific molecules, 28M1 , 28M2, and 28M3 alone do not activate T-cells to express CD25 in the presence of ASPC1 cells.

[00119] FIG. 31 is a graph showing Bioactivity of multiple CD3 variants: PBMC killing of ASPC1 cells expressing Muc17.

[00120] FIG. 32 is a graph showing hu1MU11A and hu1MU32A retain Muc17 binding activity in the Scfv format.

[00121] FIG. 33 is a graph showing CD137 Fab x Muc17 scfv bispecific molecules 4M1 increases IFNg secretion by PBMC when combined with 2pM 3M8B7 benchmark and in the presence of ASPCI cells.

[00122] FIG. 34 is a graph showing CD137 Fab x Mud 7 scfv bispecific molecules 4M2 increase IFNg secretion by PBMC when combined with 2pM 3M8B7 benchmark and in the presence of ASPCI cells.

[00123] FIG. 35 is a graph showing Muc17xCD137 bispecific 4M2 in combination with 10pM or 20pM CD3 bispecific 3M8B7 activates PBMCs to secrete IFNg in the presence of CHO cells expressing Mud 7.

[00124] FIG. 36 is a graph showing Muc17xCD137 bispecific 4M7 in combination with 10pM or 20pM CD3 bispecific 3M8B7 activates PBMCs to secrete IFNg in the presence of CHO cells expressing Muc17.

[00125] FIG. 37 is a graph showing Muc17xCD137 bispecific 4M8 in combination with 10pM or 20pM CD3 bispecific 3M8B7 activates PBMCs to secrete IFNg in the presence of CHO cells expressing Muc17.

[00126] FIG. 38A and 38B depict Muc17xCD137 and DLL3xCD137 molecules.

[00127] FIG. 39Ato 39E depict Muc17x CD137 formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention.

[00128] FIG. 40Ato 40D depict several scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention. FIG. 40A depicts an anti-CLDN18.2, anti-CD3 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule.

[00129] FIG. 40B depicts an anti-CLDN18.2, anti-CD28 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule

[00130] FIG. 40C depicts an anti-CD3, anti-CLDN18.2 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule.

[00131] FIG. 40D depicts an anti-CD28, anti-CLDN18.2 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule.

[00132] FIG. 41 A to 41 F depict several scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention. FIG. 41 A depicts an anti-CLDN18.2, anti-CD3 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule.

[00133] FIG. 41 B depicts an anti-CLDN18.2, anti-CD28 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule.

[00134] FIG. 41 C depicts an anti-CLDN18.2, anti-CD137 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule.

[00135] FIG. 41 D depicts an anti-CLDN18.2, anti-CD3 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule.

[00136] FIG. 41 E depicts an anti-CLDN18.2, anti-CD28 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule.

[00137] FIG. 41F depicts an anti-CLDN18.2, anti-CD137 (scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc) molecule.

[00138] FIG. 42 is a graph that demonstrates CLDN18.2xCD3 Bispecifics bind to CHO cells expressing huCLND18.2.

[00139] FIG. 43A is a graph showing T cell activation and upregulation of CD25 by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules in the presence of CLDN18.2 expressing CHO cells. [00140] FIG. 43B is a graph showing the killing of CHO cells expressing huCLDN18.2 by huPBMCs stimulated by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules.

[00141] FIG. 44A is a graph showing T cell activation and upregulation of CD25 by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules with CD3 variant molecules in the presence of CLDN18.2 expressing SNU-601 tumor cells.

[00142] FIG. 44B is a graph showing the killing of SNU-601 tumor cells by huPBMCs stimulated by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules with CD3 variant molecules.

[00143] FIG. 45A is a graph showing T cell activation and upregulation of CD25 by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific moleculeswith CD3 variant molecules in the presence of CLDN18.2 expressing SNU-601 tumor cells.

[00144] FIG. 45B is a graph showing the killing of SNU-601 tumor cells by huPBMCs stimulated by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules with CD3 variant molecules.

[00145] FIG. 46A is a graph showing T cell activation and upregulation of CD25 by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules with CD3 variant molecules in the presence of CLDN18.2 expressing SNU-601 tumor cells.

[00146] FIG. 46B is a graph showing the killing of SNU-601 tumor cells by huPBMCs stimulated by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules with CD3 variant molecules.

[00147] FIG. 47 is a graph showing CD3xCLDN18.2 binding to LDN18.2-CHO cells.

[00148] FIG. 48A and 48B are graphs showing that all four CD28xCLDN18.2 T-cell engagers in combination with 10pM 3C18C potently activates PBMCs in the presence of SNU-601 cells.

[00149] FIG. 49A and 49B are graphs showing that all four CD28xCLDN18.2 T-cell engagers in combination with 10pM 3C22C potently activate PBMCs in the presence of SNU-601 cells.

[00150] FIG. 50A and 50B are graphs showing that all four CD28xCLDN18.2 T-cell engagers in combination with 20pM 3C22C potently activate PBMCs in the presence of SNU-601 cells.

[00151] FIG. 51A and 51B are graphs showing that all four CD28xCLDN18.2 T-cell engagers in combination with 2pM 3C27C potently activates PBMCs in the presence of SNU-601 cells.

[00152] FIG. 52A and 52B are graphs showing that the four CD28xCLDN18.2 T-cell engagers alone do not activate PBMCs.

[00153] FIG. 53A and 53B are graphs showing that the four CD3xCLDN18.2 T-cell engagers alone activate PBMCs to express CD25 but secretes IL-2 to a much lower extent.

[00154] FIG. 54 is a graph showing CD3xCLDN18.2 bispecific 3C22C stimulates PBMC mediated killing of GSU cells more potently than 3 lots of the benchmark, 3CBM.

[00155] FIG. 55 is a graph showing CD3xCLDN18.2 bispecific 3C22C stimulates PBMC to express CD25 in the presence of GSU cells more potently than3 lots of the benchmark, 3CBM.

[00156] FIG. 56 is a graph showing 3C27I is more potent at killing SNU-601 cells than 3C18I, 3C22I, or 3C26I.

[00157] FIG. 57 is a graph showing CD28xCLDN18.2 T cell engagers, 28C1 , 28C2, 28C3, and 28C4 in combination with 10pM CD3xCCLDN18.2 bispecific, 3C18C, activate PBMCS to produce IL-2 when co-cultured with SNU-601 cells.

[00158] FIG. 58 is a graph showing CD28xCLDN18.2 T cell engagers, 28C1 , 28C2, 28C3, and 28C4 in combination with 10pM CD3xCldn18.2 bispecific, 3C22C, activate PBMCS to produce IL-2 when co-cultured with SNU-601 cells.

[00159] FIG. 59 is a graph showing CD28xCLDN18.2 T cell engagers, 28C1 , 28C2, 28C3, and 28C4 in combination with 10pM CD3xCldn18.2 Bispecific, 3C26C, activate PBMCS to produce IL-2 when co-cultured with SNU-601.

[00160] FIG. 60 is a graph showing CD28xCLDN18.2 T cell engagers, 28C1 , 28C2, 28C3, and 28C4 alone do not activate PBMCS to produce IL-2 when co-cultured with SNU- 601 cells.

[00161] FIG. 61 is a graph showing CLDN18.2xCD28 bispecific molecules 28C7 and 28C10 in combination with 5pM of the CD3 bispecific 3C22I activates T-cells to secrete IL-2.

[00162] FIG. 62 is a graph showing CLDN18.2 x CD28 bispecific molecules 28C5,28C6,28C7 and 28C8 induced IL-2 secretion by PBMCs when in the presence of CHO cells expressing CLDN18.2 but not with parental CHO cells.

[00163] FIG. 63 is a graph showing CD137 x CLDN18.2 bispecific molecules 4C1 and 4C2 in combination with 10pM of the CD3 bispecific 3C18C increase IFNgamma secretion over 3C18 by PBMCs when in the presence of SNU-601 cells.

[00164] FIG. 64 is a graph showing CD137 x CLDN 18.2 bispecific molecules 4C1 and 4C2 in combination with 10pM of the CD3 bispecific 3C18C increase IFNgamma secretion over 3C18 by PBMCs when in the presence of SNU-601 cells.

[00165] FIG. 65 and 66 are graphs showing CD137x CLDN 18.2 bispecific molecules 4C5 and 4C6 in combination with 3C22I activate T-cells to secrete IFNg.

[00166] FIG. 67 is a graph showing CD137x CLDN 18.2 bispecific molecules 4C1 and 4C5 in combination with 80pM 3C27I increase the activation of CD8 cells in the presence of mitomycin treated CHO cells expressing CLDN 18.2.

[00167] FIG. 68A and 69B depict CLDN x CD137 formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention.

[00168] FIG. 69A and 69B depict alternative formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention.

Definitions

[00169] Reference in this specification to "one embodiment/aspect" or "an embodiment/aspect" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment/aspect is included in at least one embodiment/aspect of the disclosure. The use of the phrase "in one embodiment/aspect" or "in another embodiment/aspect" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment/aspect, nor are separate or alternative embodiments/aspects mutually exclusive of other embodiments/aspects. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments/aspects and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments/aspects but not other embodiments/aspects. Embodiment and aspect can in certain instances be used interchangeably.

[00170] The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way.

[00171] Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein. Nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

[00172] Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.

[00173] As applicable, the terms "about" or "generally", as used herein in the specification and appended claims, and unless otherwise indicated, means a margin of +/- 20%. Also, as applicable, the term "substantially" as used herein in the specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, means a margin of +/- 10%. It is to be appreciated that not all uses of the above terms are quantifiable such that the referenced ranges can be applied.

[00174] The term “subject” or "patient" refers to any single animal, more preferably a mammal (including such non-human animals as, for example, dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, zoo animals, cows, pigs, sheep, and non-human primates) for which treatment is desired. Most preferably, the patient herein is a human. In an embodiment, a “subject” of diagnosis or treatment is a prokaryotic or a eukaryotic cell, a tissue culture, a tissue or an animal, e.g. a mammal, including a human.

[00175] As used herein, the term “comprising” is intended to mean that the compositions and methods include the listed elements, but do not exclude other unlisted elements. “Consisting essentially of when used to define compositions and methods, excludes other elements that alters the basic nature of the composition and/or method, but does not exclude other unlisted elements. Thus, a composition consisting essentially of the elements as defined herein would not exclude trace amounts of elements, such as contaminants from any isolation and purification methods or pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, such as phosphate buffered saline, preservatives, and the like, but would exclude additional unspecified amino acids. “Consisting of excludes more than trace elements of other ingredients and substantial method steps for administering the compositions described herein. Embodiments defined by each of these transition terms are within the scope of this disclosure and the inventions embodied therein.

[00176] The term “active agent” or “active ingredient” refers to a substance, compound, or molecule, which is biologically active or otherwise, induces a biological or physiological effect on a subject to which it is administered to. In other words, “active agent” or “active ingredient” refers to a component or components of a composition to which the whole or part of the effect of the composition is attributed. An active agent can be a primary active agent, or in other words, the component(s) of a composition to which the whole or part of the effect of the composition is attributed. An active agent can be a secondary agent, or in other words, the component(s) of a composition to which an additional part and/or other effect of the composition is attributed.

[00177] In an embodiment, a “pharmaceutical composition” is intended to include the combination of an active agent, such as an anti-DLL3, anti-MUC17 or anti-CLDN18.2 antibody and antibody conjugates, with a carrier, inert or active, in a sterile composition suitable for diagnostic or therapeutic use in vitro, in vivo or ex vivo. In one aspect, the pharmaceutical composition is substantially free of endotoxins or is non-toxic to recipients at the dosage or concentration employed.

[00178] In an embodiment, “an effective amount” refers, without limitation, to the amount of the defined component sufficient to achieve the desired therapeutic result. In an embodiment, that result can be effective cancer treatment.

[00179] In an embodiment, as used herein, the terms “treating,” “treatment” and the like are used herein, without limitation, to mean obtaining a desired pharmacologic and/or physiologic effect. The effect may be prophylactic in terms of completely or partially preventing a disorder or sign or symptom thereof, and/or may be therapeutic in terms of amelioration of the symptoms of the disease or infection, or a partial or complete cure for a disorder and/or adverse effect attributable to the disorder.

[00180] As used herein, the term "recombinant" refers to polypeptides or polynucleotides that do not exist naturally and which may be created by combining polynucleotides or polypeptides in arrangements that would not normally occur together. The term can refer to a polypeptide produced through a biological host, selected from a mammalian expression system, an insect cell expression system, a yeast expression system, and a bacterial expression system.

[00181] The term “Delta-like 3” or “DLL3” refers to a protein which in humans is encoded by the DLL3 gene. Mutations in the gene cause the autosomal recessive genetic disorder Jarcho-Levin syndrome. DLL3 is expressed normally on the inside of cells and at low levels on normal tissues. However, lung tumor cells overexpress the gene and cell surface DLL3 levels are increased.

[00182] The term “Mucin 17” or“MUC17” refers to a member of the mucin family that includes more than 20 members. Mucins are large, highly glycosylated membrane bound proteins. They are expressed almost exclusively in the intestine. Their general function is to protect epithelial cells from their environment, as well as to regulate proliferation and survival of cells. MUC17 is highly expressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissue (at protein level). MUC17 is expressed in pancreatic, appendiceal, and some colon cancers. Its expression is not detectable in normal pancreas, in pancreatitis or in cell lines derived from other cancers.

[00183] The term “Claudin-18” or “CLD 18” refers to a protein that in humans is encoded by the CLDN18 gene. CLDN18 belongs to the large claudin family of proteins, which form tight junction strands in epithelial cells. “Claudin 18.2” or “CLDN18.2” denotes isoform 2 which is abundant in tumors, particularly those of the gastric system.

[00184] The term “CD” or “cluster of differentiation molecules” refers to cell surface markers that are useful for the identification and characterization of leukocytes such as CD3, CD28 and CD137. CD3 is the signaling component of the T cell receptor (TCR) complex. Because CD3 is required for T cell activation, drugs (often monoclonal antibodies) that target it are being investigated as immunostimulants for the treatment of cancer.

[00185] CD28 is the major costimulatory molecule required in the generation of T cell- mediated immune responses. Upon interaction with its ligands CD80 and CD86, CD28 transduces activation signals that lead to the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and enhance the synthesis of several cytokines including IL-2. CD28 costimulatory receptor is present on all T-cells. Agonist antibodies directed against CD28 have led to severe adverse events in the clinic, in contrast to antibodies directed against the other CD28 family members CTLA-4, PD-1 , or their B7 ligands, which function as checkpoint inhibitors to overcome tumor immune tolerance and can be used in cancer immunotherapy.

[00186] CD137 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family. Its alternative names are tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 9 (TNFRSF9), 4- 1BB and induced lymphocyte activation. Agonistic anti-CD137 antibody acts as an activating costimulatory molecule especially important for effector/memory T cells and promotes the survival and proliferation of T lymphocytes. For example, BBK-4, Urelumab and Utomilumab (PF-05082566) targets this receptor to stimulate a more intense immune system attack on cancers.

[00187] PD-1 (Programmed cell death protein 1 or CD279) is a protein on the surface of cells that has a role in regulating the immune system's response to the cells of the human body by down-regulating the immune system and promoting self-tolerance by suppressing T cell inflammatory activity. Engagement of PD-1 by either of its ligands, PD-L1 or PD-L2, on an adjacent cell inhibits TCR signaling and TCR-mediated proliferation, transcriptional activation and cytokine production. This prevents autoimmune diseases, but it can also prevent the immune system from killing cancer cells. Therapeutic antibodies designed to block the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction have potential for the treatment of cancer.

[00188] Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) also known as cluster of differentiation 274 (CD274) or B7 homolog 1 (B7-H1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CD274 gene. PD-L1 binds to its receptor, PD-1 , found on activated T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells, to modulate activation or inhibition.

[00189] As used herein, the term "antibody" refers to a polypeptide or a polypeptide complex that specifically recognizes and binds to an antigen through one or more immunoglobulin variable regions. The recognized immunoglobulin genes include the kappa, lambda, alpha, gamma, delta, epsilon, and mu constant region genes, as well as the myriad immunoglobulin variable region genes. Light chains are classified as either kappa or lambda. Heavy chains are classified as gamma, mu, alpha, delta, or epsilon, which in turn define the immunoglobulin classes, IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE, respectively. Typically, the antigen- binding region of an antibody will be most critical in specificity and affinity of binding and is encoded by the variable domain. An antibody can be a whole antibody, an antigen binding fragment or a single chain thereof.

[00190] An exemplary immunoglobulin (antibody) structural unit comprises a tetramer. Each tetramer is composed of two identical pairs of polypeptide chains, each pair having one "light" (about 25 kD) and one "heavy" chain (about 50-70 kD). The N-terminus of each chain defines a variable region of about 100 to 110 or more amino acids primarily responsible for antigen recognition. The terms variable light chain (VL) and variable heavy chain (VH) refer to variable domains of the light and heavy chain respectively.

[00191] Antibodies exist, e.g., as intact immunoglobulins or as a number of well- characterized fragments produced by digestion with various peptidases. Thus, for example, pepsin digests an antibody below the disulfide linkages in the hinge region to produce F(ab)' ₂ , a dimer of Fab which itself is a light chain VL-CL joined to VH--CH1 by a disulfide bond. While various antibody fragments are defined in terms of the digestion of an intact antibody, one of skill will appreciate that such fragments may be synthesized de novo either chemically or by using recombinant DNA methodology. Thus, the term antibody, as used herein, also includes antibody fragments either produced by the modification of whole antibodies, or those synthesized de novo using recombinant DNA methodologies (e.g., single chain Fv) or those identified using phage display libraries (see, e.g., McCafferty et al., Nature 348:552-554 (1990)).

[00192] Accordingly, in either aspect of the invention, the term antibody also embraces minibodies, scFvs, diabodies, triabodies and the like. ScFvs and Diabodies are small bivalent biospecific antibody fragments with high avidity and specificity. Their high signal to noise ratio is typically better due to a better specificity and fast blood clearance increasing their potential for diagnostic and therapeutic targeting of specific antigen (Sundaresan et al., J Nucl Med 44:1962-9 (2003). In addition, these antibodies are advantageous because they can be engineered if necessary as different types of antibody fragments ranging from a small single chain Fv (scFv) to an intact IgG with varying isoforms (Wu & Senter, Nat. Biotechnol. 23:1137-1146 (2005)). In some embodiments, the antibody fragment is part of a scFv-scFv or diabody. In some embodiments, in either aspect, the invention provides high avidity antibodies for use according to the invention.

[00193] The term “agonist antibody” refers to an antibody that stimulates or activates an organ. An antibody can act as an agonist of a receptor, essentially replacing the activity of the normal ligand. The agonist activity can occur when the antibody binds the receptor in a manner that mimics the binding of the physiological ligand resulting in antibody-mediated agonism. For example, agonistic antibodies against the thyrotropin receptor in Grave’s disease stimulate the thyroid gland to release thyroid hormones that produce hyperthyroidism. Agonistic antibodies may also stimulate when clustered, either via the Fc portion of the antibody engaging an Fc receptor in trans or cis, or through antigen mediated clustering. The latter clustering mechanism requires antigen engagement by one half of a bispecific molecule and engagement of the stimulatory receptor by the second half of a bispecific molecule. Exemplary stimulatory receptors are CD3, CD28 and 4-1 BB, which stimulate T cells.

[00194] The terms "antibody fragment" or "antigen-binding fragment" are used with reference to a portion of an antibody, such as Fab', Fab, Fv, scFv and the like. Regardless of structure, an antibody fragment binds with the same antigen that is recognized by the intact antibody. The term "antibody fragment" also includes diabodies and any synthetic or genetically engineered proteins comprising immunoglobulin variable regions that act like an antibody by binding to a specific antigen to form a complex.

[00195] The term “antigen-binding fragment” or “Fab” refers to a region on an antibody that binds to antigens. It includes one constant and one variable domain of each of the heavy and the light chain (i.e. four domains: VH, CH1 , VL and CL1.). The variable domain contains the paratope (the antigen-binding site), that includes a set of complementary determining regions at the amino terminal end of the monomer. Each arm of the Y thus binds an epitope on the antigen.

[00196] The term “Fc region” or “fragment crystallizable region” refers to the tail region of an antibody CH2-CH3 that interacts with cell surface receptors called Fc receptors and some proteins of the complement system. This “effector function” allows antibodies to activate the immune system leading to cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), and/or complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). ADCC and ADCP are mediated through the binding of the Fc to Fc receptors on the surface of cells of the immune system. CDC is mediated through the binding of the Fc with proteins of the complement system, (e.g. C1q).

[00197] In IgG, IgA and IgD antibody isotypes, the Fc region has two identical protein fragments, derived from the second and third constant domains of the antibody's two heavy chains. IgM and IgE Fc regions have three heavy chain constant domains (CH domains 2- 4) in each polypeptide chain whereas IgG is composed of 2 CH domains, 2 and 3. The Fc regions of IgGs bear a highly conserved N-glycosylation site. Glycosylation of the Fc fragment is essential for Fc receptor-mediated activity. The N-glycans attached to this site are predominantly core-fucosylated diantennary structures of the complex type. In addition, small amounts of these N-glycans also bear bisecting GlcNAc and a-2,6 linked sialic acid residues.

[00198] A particular IgG subclass can be preferred for a particular use. For example,

IgG 1 is more effective than lgG2 and lgG4 at mediating ADCC and CDC. Thus, lgG2 Fc can be preferred when effector function is undesirable. However, lgG2 Fc-containing molecules are generally more difficult to manufacture and can be less stable than IgG 1 Fc- containing molecules. Further, the effector function of an antibody can be increased, or decreased, by introducing one or more mutations into the Fc (see, for example, Strohl, Curr. Opin. Biotech., 20:685-691 , 2009). Exemplary IgG 1 Fc molecules having increased effector function include those having the following substitutions:

S239D/I332E, S239D/A33QS/1332E, S239D/A330L/1332E, S298A/D333A/K334A, P2471/A339D, P2471/A339Q, D28QH/K29QS, D280H/K290S/S298D, D280H/K290S/S298V, F243L/R292P/Y300L, F243L/R292P/Y300L/P396L, F243L/R292P/Y300L/V3051/P396L, G236A/S239D/S332E, K326A/E333A, K326W/E333S, K290E/S29SG/T299A, K290N/S298G/T299A, K290E/S298G/T299A/K326E, K290N/S298G/T299A/K326E

[00199] Fucosylation is another method of increasing effector function of IgG Fc- containing proteins. Removal of the core fucose from the biantennary complex-type oligosachharides attached to the Fc greatly increases ADCC effector function without altering antigen binding or CDC effector function. There are different ways to reduce or abolish fucosylation of Fc-containing molecules. These include recombinant expression in certain mammalian cell lines including a FUT8 knockout cell line, variant CHO line Led 3, rat hybridoma cell line YB2/0, a cell line comprising a small interfering RNA specifically against the FUT8 gene, and a cell line co-expressing p-1 ,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III and Golgi a-mannosidase II. Alternatively, the Fc-containing molecule can be expressed in a non-mammalian cell such as a plant cell, yeast, or prokaryotic cell, e.g., E. coli.

[00200] It may be desirable to decrease effector function. Exemplary Fc molecules having decreased effector function Include those having the following substitutions:

N297A or N297Q (igG1), L234A/L235A (!gG1), V234A/G237A (lgG2). L235A/G237A/E318A (IgG4), H288Q/V309L/A330S/A331S (lgG2), C220S/C226S/C229S/P238S (lgG1), C226S/C229S/E233P/L234V/L235A (!gG1), L234F/L235E/P331S (IgG1), S267E/L328F (IgG 1 ) [00201] Both the light and heavy chains are divided into regions of structural and functional homology. The terms "constant" and "variable" are used functionally. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the variable domains of both the light (VL) and heavy (VH) chain portions determine antigen recognition and specificity. Conversely, the constant domains of the light chain (CL) and the heavy chain (CHI, CH2 and CH3) confer important biological properties such as secretion, transplacental mobility, Fc receptor binding, complement binding, and the like. By convention, the numbering of the constant region domains in conventional antibodies increases as they become more distal from the antigen- binding site or amino-terminus of the antibody. In conventional antibodies, the N-terminal portion is a variable region and at the C-terminal portion is a constant region; the CH3 and CL domains comprise the carboxyterminus of the heavy and light chain, respectively.

[00202] As used herein, the term "heavy chain constant region" includes amino acid sequences derived from an immunoglobulin heavy chain. A polypeptide comprising a heavy chain constant region comprises at least one of: a CHI domain, a hinge (e.g., upper, middle, and/or lower hinge region) domain, a CH2 domain, a CH3 domain, or a variant or fragment thereof. For example, an antigen-binding polypeptide for use in the disclosure may comprise a polypeptide chain comprising a CHI domain; a polypeptide chain comprising a CHI domain, at least a portion of a hinge domain, and a CH2 domain; a polypeptide chain comprising a CHI domain and a CH3 domain; a polypeptide chain comprising a CHI domain, at least a portion of a hinge domain, and a CH3 domain, or a polypeptide chain comprising a CHI domain, at least a portion of a hinge domain, a CH2 domain, and a CH3 domain. In some embodiments, a polypeptide of the disclosure comprises a polypeptide chain comprising a CH3 domain. Further, an antibody for use in the disclosure may lack at least a portion of a CH2 domain (e.g., all or part of a CH2 domain). It should be understood that the heavy chain constant region may be modified such that they vary in amino acid sequence from the naturally occurring immunoglobulin molecule.

[00203] The heavy chain constant region of an antibody disclosed herein may be derived from different immunoglobulin molecules. For example, a heavy chain constant region of a polypeptide may comprise a CHI domain derived from an IgG 1 molecule and a hinge region derived from an lgG3 molecule. In another example, a heavy chain constant region can comprise a hinge region derived, in part, from an lgG1 molecule and, in part, from an lgG3 molecule. In another example, a heavy chain portion can comprise a chimeric hinge derived, in part, from an lgG1 molecule and, in part, from an lgG4 molecule.

[00204] As used herein, the term "light chain constant region" includes amino acid sequences derived from antibody light chain. Preferably, the light chain constant region comprises at least one of a constant kappa domain or constant lambda domain. A "light chain heavy chain pair" refers to the collection of a light chain and heavy chain that can form a dimer through a disulfide bond between the CL domain of the light chain and the CHI domain of the heavy chain.

[00205] The subunit structures and three-dimensional configurations of the constant regions of the various immunoglobulin classes are well known. As used herein, the term "VH domain" includes the amino terminal variable domain of an immunoglobulin heavy chain and the term "CHI domain" includes the first (most amino terminal) constant region domain of an immunoglobulin heavy chain. The CHI domain is adjacent to the VH domain and is amino terminal to the hinge region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain molecule.

[00206] As used herein the term "CH2 domain" includes the portion of a heavy chain molecule that extends, e.g., from about residue 244 to residue 360 of an antibody using conventional numbering schemes (residues 244 to 360, Kabat numbering system; and residues 231-340, EU numbering system). The CH2 domain is unique in that it is not closely paired with another domain. Rather, two N-linked branched carbohydrate chains are interposed between the two CH2 domains of an intact native IgG molecule. The CH3 domain extends from the CH2 domain to the C-terminal of the IgG molecule and comprises approximately 108 residues.

[00207] As used herein, the term "hinge region" includes the portion of a heavy chain molecule that joins the CHI domain to the CH2 domain. This hinge region comprises approximately 25 residues and is flexible, thus allowing the two N-terminal antigen-binding regions to move independently. Hinge regions can be subdivided into three distinct domains: upper, middle, and lower hinge domains.

[00208] The term “bi-specific monoclonal antibody” or “BSMAb” refers to an antibody that can simultaneously engage two different types of epitopes on the same target or on different targets. An advantage is their ability to redirect specific polyclonal immune cells (e.g. T cells and NK cells) to tumor cells to enhance tumor killing. These antibodies can be divided into two types: IgG like bispecific antibodies which carry an Fc region and therefore retain Fc-mediated effector functions and the non-lgG like formats which rely on their antigen binding capacity to exert their effects. Recombinant techniques have also led to the creation of small fragment molecules. Single chain variable fragments from two different monoclonal antibodies can be combined to form bivalent bispecific antibodies. Examples include bispecific T cell engagers (BiTEs), tandem single chain variable fragments (taFvs), diabodies (Dbs), single chain diabodies (scDbs), and triple bodies. These scFv based antibody fragments have high tumor specificity and tumor penetration due to their small size (ranging from 50 to 60 kDa).

[00209] The term “tri-specific monoclonal antibody” or “TSMAb” refers to an antibody that can simultaneously engage three different types of epitopes on the same target or on different targets.

[00210] The term “scFv” or “scFv fragment antibody” refers to a small molecular antibody, consisting of VH and VL domains, either in the configuration ofVL-VH or VH-VL, with a linker region between them. The scFv fragment antibody can more easily penetrate blood vessel wall and the solid tumor, which makes it a preferred carrier of targeting drugs.

[00211] The term “scFvs” or “single-chain variable fragment” refers to divalent (or bivalent) single-chain variable fragments (di-scFvs, bi-scFvs) that can be engineered by linking two scFvs. This can be done by producing a single peptide chain with two VH and two VL regions, yielding tandem scFvs, also known as scFv-scFv molecules. Another possibility is the creation of scFvs with linker peptides that are too short for the two variable regions to fold together (about five amino acids), forcing scFvs to dimerize. This type is known as diabodies.

[00212] The term “humanized antibody” refers to an antibody from non-human species whose protein sequences have been modified to increase its similarity to antibody variants produced naturally in humans. The process of "humanization" is usually applied to monoclonal antibodies developed for administration to humans (e.g. antibodies developed as anti-cancer drugs). Humanization can be necessary when the process of developing a specific antibody involves generation in a non-human immune system (such as that in mice).

[00213] Bispecific antibodies can be generated by chemical cross-linking or by the hybrid hybridoma technology. Alternatively, bispecific antibody molecules can be produced by recombinant techniques, for example by linking 2 scFv molecules together with a short linker. For example, VH1-Linker1-VL1-Linker2-VH2-Linker3-VL2. With Linkerl and Linker3 having lengths between 15-30 amino acids and Linker2 being 5-10 amino acids in length. Linkers may be composed of a variety of amino acids, for example repeating units of GGGGS, GKPGS, GEPGS, and/or GGPGS. Dimerization across 2 scFv molecules can be promoted by reducing the length of the linker joining the VH and the VL domain from about 15 amino acids, routinely used to produce scFv fragments, to about 5 amino acids. These linkers favor intrachain assembly of the VH and VL domains, with the configuration VH1- Iinker1-VL2-Linker2-VH2-Linker 3VL1 and linkers 1 and 3 being 5 amino acids in length. Any suitable short linker can be used. Thus, two fragments assemble into a dimeric molecule. Further reduction of the linker length to 0-2 amino acids can generate trimeric (triabodies) or tetrameric (tetrabodies) molecules.

[00214] A "chimeric antibody" is an antibody molecule in which (a) the constant region, or a portion thereof, is altered, replaced or exchanged so that the antigen binding site (variable region) is linked to a constant region of a different or altered class, effector function and/or species, or an entirely different molecule which confers new properties to the chimeric antibody, e.g., an enzyme, toxin, hormone, growth factor, drug, etc.; or (b) the variable region, or a portion thereof, is altered, replaced or exchanged with a variable region having a different or altered antigen specificity.

[00215] One of the challenges for efficiently producing bispecific antibody preparations concerns reducing the formation of homodimeric molecules in favor of heterodimeric molecules., when co-expressing chains of different binding specificities. A “heterodimeric antibody” can utilize the “knobs-into-holes” or “charge-pair” formats to preferentially promote correct association of the 2 molecules to form a heterodimer with 2 specificities. These formats are specific to the heavy chain Fc part of the constant region in antibodies. For the knob-into-holes format, the “knobs” part is engineered by replacing a small amino acid with a larger one. It fits into the “hole,” which is engineered by replacing a large amino acid with a smaller one. Introduction of T366W mutations in the first Fc creates the “knob” and introduction of T366S, L368A, and Y407V mutations in the second Fc creates the “hole” (numbering of the residues according to the Kabat EU numbering system). For the charge pair format, heterodimerization is favored through stabilizing ionic interactions by introducing interfacing charge residues in the opposing Fc domains. For example, D356K, E357K, and D399K in a first Fc domain, and the mutations K370E, K409D, and K439E into a second Fc domain, or combination thereof. For example, K392D and K409D mutations in a first Fc chain, and D399K and D356K mutations in a second Fc chain, K409E in the first Fc and D399K in the Fc, K409E in the first Fc and D399R in the second Fc, K409D in the first Fc and D399K in the second Fc, K409D in the first Fc and D399R in the second Fc, K392E in the first Fc and D399R in the second Fc, K392E in the first Fc and D399K in the second Fc, K392D in the first Fc and D399R in the second Fc, K392D in the first Fc and D399K in the second Fc, K409D and K360D in the first Fc and D399K and D356K in the second Fc,

K409D and K370D in the first Fc and D399K and E357K in the second Fc, K409D and K392D in the first Fc and D399K, D356K, and E357K in the second Fc, K409D and K392D in the first Fc and D399K in the second Fc, K409D and K392D in the first Fc and D399K and D356K in the second Fc, K409D and K392D in the first Fc and D399K and E357K in the second Fc, K409D and K370D in the first Fc and D399K and D357K in the second Fc,

D399K in the first Fc and K409D and K360D in the second Fc, and/or K409D and K439D in the first Fc and D399K and D356K in the second Fc, numbered according to the Kabat EU numbering system. Additionally, cysteines may be introduced to stabilize the pairing of heterodimers, for example S234C in the first Fc and Y349C in the second Fc or Y349C in the first Fc and S344C in the second Fc.

[00216] The phrase "specifically (or selectively) binds" to an antibody or "specifically (or selectively) immunoreactive with," when referring to a protein or peptide, refers to a binding reaction that is determinative of the presence of the protein, often in a heterogeneous population of proteins and other biologies. Thus, under designated immunoassay conditions, the specified antibodies bind to a particular protein at least two times the background and more typically more than 10 to 100 times background. Specific binding to an antibody under such conditions requires an antibody that is selected for its specificity for a particular protein. For example, polyclonal antibodies can be selected to obtain only those polyclonal antibodies that are specifically immunoreactive with the selected antigen and not with other proteins. This selection may be achieved by subtracting out antibodies that cross-react with other molecules. A variety of immunoassay formats may be used to select antibodies specifically immunoreactive with a particular protein. For example, solid-phase ELISA immunoassays are routinely used to select antibodies specifically immunoreactive with a protein (see, e.g., Harlow & Lane, Using Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual (1998) for a description of immunoassay formats and conditions that can be used to determine specific immunoreactivity).

[00217] An "immune response" refers to the action of a cell of the immune system (for example, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, eosinophils, mast cells, dendritic cells and neutrophils) and soluble macromolecules produced by any of these cells or the liver (including Abs, cytokines, and complement) that results in selective targeting, binding to, damage to, destruction of, and/or elimination from a vertebrate's body of invading pathogens, cells or tissues infected with pathogens, cancerous or other abnormal cells, or, in cases of autoimmunity, neurodegeneration or pathological inflammation, normal human cells or tissues.

[00218] An "immunoregulator" refers to a substance, an agent, a signaling pathway or a component thereof that regulates an immune response. "Regulating," "modifying" or "modulating" an immune response refers to any alteration in a cell of the immune system or in the activity of such cell. Such regulation includes stimulation or suppression of the immune system which may be manifested by an increase or decrease in the number of various cell types, an increase or decrease in the activity of these cells, or any other changes which can occur within the immune system. Both inhibitory and stimulatory immunoregulators have been identified, some of which may have enhanced function in the cancer, infectious disease or neurodegenerative microenvironment.

[00219] A cytotoxic T cell (also known as TC, cytotoxic T lymphocyte, CTL, T-killer cell, cytolytic T cell, CD8+ T-cell or killer T cell) is a T lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell) that kills cancer cells, cells that are infected (particularly with viruses), or cells that are damaged in other ways.

[00220] The term "immunotherapy" refers to the treatment of a subject afflicted with, or at risk of contracting or suffering a recurrence of, a disease by a method comprising inducing, enhancing, suppressing or otherwise modifying an immune response. "Treatment" or "therapy" of a subject refers to any type of intervention or process performed on, or the administration of an active agent to, the subject with the objective of reversing, alleviating, ameliorating, inhibiting, slowing down or preventing the onset, progression, development, severity or recurrence of a symptom, complication, condition or biochemical indicia associated with a disease.

[00221] "Potentiating an endogenous immune response" means increasing the effectiveness or potency of an existing immune response in a subject. This increase in effectiveness and potency may be achieved, for example, by overcoming mechanisms that suppress the endogenous host immune response or by stimulating mechanisms that enhance the endogenous host immune response.

[00222] Nucleic acid is "operably linked" when it is placed into a functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence. For example, DNA for a pre-sequence or secretory leader is operably linked to DNA for a polypeptide if it is expressed as a pre-protein that participates in the secretion of the polypeptide; a promoter or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects the transcription of the sequence; or a ribosome binding site is operably linked to a coding sequence if it is positioned so as to facilitate translation. Generally, "operably linked" means that the DNA sequences being linked are near each other, and, in the case of a secretory leader, contiguous and in reading phase. However, enhancers do not have to be contiguous. Linking is accomplished by ligation at convenient restriction sites. If such sites do not exist, the synthetic oligonucleotide adaptors or linkers are used in accordance with conventional practice.

[00223] "Conservatively modified variants" applies to both amino acid and nucleic acid sequences. With respect to particular nucleic acid sequences, conservatively modified variants refers to those nucleic acids which encode identical or essentially identical amino acid sequences, or where the nucleic acid does not encode an amino acid sequence, to essentially identical sequences. Because of the degeneracy of the genetic code, a large number of functionally identical nucleic acids encode any given protein. For instance, the codons GCA, GCC, GCG and GCU all encode the amino acid alanine. Thus, at every position where an alanine is specified by a codon, the codon can be altered to any of the corresponding codons described without altering the encoded polypeptide. Such nucleic acid variations are "silent variations," which are one species of conservatively modified variations. Every nucleic acid sequence herein which encodes a polypeptide also describes every possible silent variation of the nucleic acid. One of skill will recognize that each codon in a nucleic acid (except AUG, which is ordinarily the only codon for methionine, and TGG, which is ordinarily the only codon for tryptophan) can be modified to yield a functionally identical molecule. Accordingly, each silent variation of a nucleic acid which encodes a polypeptide is implicit in each described sequence with respect to the expression product, but not with respect to actual probe sequences.

[00224] The terms "identical" or percent "identity," in the context of two or more nucleic acids or polypeptide sequences, refer to two or more sequences or subsequences that are the same or have a specified percentage of amino acid residues or nucleotides that are the same (i.e., about 60% identity, preferably 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%,

93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or higher identity over a specified region, when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence over a comparison window or designated region) as measured using a BLAST or BLAST 2.0 sequence comparison algorithms with default parameters described below, or by manual alignment and visual inspection. Such sequences are then said to be "substantially identical." This definition also refers to, or may be applied to, the compliment of a test sequence. The definition also includes sequences that have deletions and/or additions, as well as those that have substitutions. As described below, the preferred algorithms can account for gaps and the like. Preferably, identity exists over a region that is at least about 25 amino acids or nucleotides in length, or more preferably over a region that is 50-100 amino acids or nucleotides in length.

[00225] For sequence comparison, typically one sequence acts as a reference sequence, to which test sequences are compared. When using a sequence comparison algorithm, test and reference sequences are entered into a computer, subsequence coordinates are designated, if necessary, and sequence algorithm program parameters are designated. Preferably, default program parameters can be used, or alternative parameters can be designated. The sequence comparison algorithm then calculates the percent sequence identities for the test sequences relative to the reference sequence, based on the program parameters.

[00226] A "comparison window," as used herein, includes reference to a segment of any one of the number of contiguous positions selected from the group consisting of from 20 to the full length of the reference sequence, usually about 25 to 100, or 50 to about 150, more usually about 100 to about 150 in which a sequence may be compared to a reference sequence of the same number of contiguous positions after the two sequences are optimally aligned. Methods of alignment of sequences for comparison are well-known in the art. Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison can be conducted, e.g., by the local homology algorithm of Smith & Waterman, Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482 (1981), by the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman & Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol. 48:443 (1970), by the search for similarity method of Pearson & Lipman, Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444 (1988), by computerized implementations of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis.), or by manual alignment and visual inspection (see, e.g., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology ( Ausubel et al., eds. 1995 supplement)).

[00227] A preferred example of algorithm that is suitable for determining percent sequence identity and sequence similarity are the BLAST and BLAST 2.0 algorithms, which are described in Altschul et a!., Nuc. Acids Res. 25:3389-3402 (1977) and Altschul et a!., J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410 (1990), respectively. BLAST and BLAST 2.0 are used, with the parameters described herein, to determine percent sequence identity for the nucleic acids and proteins of the invention. Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information. This algorithm involves first identifying high scoring sequence pairs (HSPs) by identifying short words of length W in the query sequence, which either match or satisfy some positive-valued threshold score T when aligned with a word of the same length in a database sequence. T is referred to as the neighborhood word score threshold (Altschul et al., supra). These initial neighborhood word hits act as seeds for initiating searches to find longer HSPs containing them. The word hits are extended in both directions along each sequence for as far as the cumulative alignment score can be increased. Cumulative scores are calculated using, for nucleotide sequences, the parameters M (reward score for a pair of matching residues; always >0) and N (penalty score for mismatching residues; always <0). For amino acid sequences, a scoring matrix is used to calculate the cumulative score. Extension of the word hits in each direction are halted when: the cumulative alignment score falls off by the quantity X from its maximum achieved value; the cumulative score goes to zero or below, due to the accumulation of one or more negative-scoring residue alignments; or the end of either sequence is reached. The BLAST algorithm parameters W, T, and X determine the sensitivity and speed of the alignment. The BLASTN program (for nucleotide sequences) uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 11 , an expectation (E) of 10, M=5, N=-4 and a comparison of both strands. For amino acid sequences, the BLASTP program uses as defaults a wordlength of 3, and expectation (E) of 10, and the BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (see Henikoff & Henikoff, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915 (1989)) alignments (B) of 50, expectation (E) of 10, M=5, N=-4, and a comparison of both strands.

[00228] "Nucleic acid" refers to deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides and polymers thereof in either single- or double-stranded form, and complements thereof. The term encompasses nucleic acids containing known nucleotide analogs or modified backbone residues or linkages, which are synthetic, naturally occurring, and non-naturally occurring, which have similar binding properties as the reference nucleic acid, and which are metabolized in a manner similar to the reference nucleotides. Examples of such analogs include, without limitation, phosphorothioates, phosphoramidates, methyl phosphonates, chiral-methyl phosphonates, 2-O-methyl ribonucleotides, peptide-nucleic acids (PNAs).

[00229] Unless otherwise indicated, a particular nucleic acid sequence also implicitly encompasses conservatively modified variants thereof (e.g., degenerate codon substitutions) and complementary sequences, as well as the sequence explicitly indicated. Specifically, degenerate codon substitutions may be achieved by generating sequences in which the third position of one or more selected (or all) codons is substituted with mixed- base and/or deoxyinosine residues (Batzer et al., Nucleic Acid Res. 19:5081 (1991);

Ohtsuka et al., J. Biol. Chem. 260:2605-2608 (1985); Rossolini et al., Mol. Cell. Probes 8:91- 98 (1994)). The term nucleic acid is used interchangeably with gene, cDNA, mRNA, oligonucleotide, and polynucleotide.

[00230] A particular nucleic acid sequence also implicitly encompasses "splice variants." Similarly, a particular protein encoded by a nucleic acid implicitly encompasses any protein encoded by a splice variant of that nucleic acid. "Splice variants," as the name suggests, are products of alternative splicing of a gene. After transcription, an initial nucleic acid transcript may be spliced such that different (alternate) nucleic acid splice products encode different polypeptides. Mechanisms for the production of splice variants vary, but include alternate splicing of exons. Alternate polypeptides derived from the same nucleic acid by read-through transcription are also encompassed by this definition. Any products of a splicing reaction, including recombinant forms of the splice products, are included in this definition. An example of potassium channel splice variants is discussed in Leicher et al., J. Biol. Chem. 273(52):35095-35101 (1998).

[00231] The term "heterologous" when used with reference to portions of a nucleic acid indicates that the nucleic acid comprises two or more subsequences that are not found in the same relationship to each other in nature. For instance, the nucleic acid is typically recombinantly produced, having two or more sequences from unrelated genes arranged to make a new functional nucleic acid, e.g., a promoter from one source and a coding region from another source. Similarly, a heterologous protein indicates that the protein comprises two or more subsequences that are not found in the same relationship to each other in nature (e.g., a fusion protein).

[00232] As used herein, the term "prevention" means all of the actions by which the occurrence of the disease is restrained or retarded.

[00233] As used herein, the term "treatment" means all of the actions by which the symptoms of the disease have been alleviated, improved or ameliorated. In the present specification, "treatment" means that the symptoms of cancer, neurodegeneration, or infectious disease are alleviated, improved or ameliorated by administration of the antibodies disclosed herein.

[00234] The term "administration" refers to the introduction of an amount of a predetermined substance into a patient by a certain suitable method. The composition disclosed herein may be administered via any of the common routes, as long as it is able to reach a desired tissue, for example, but is not limited to, intraperitoneal, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, oral, topical, intranasal, intrapulmonary, or intrarectal administration. However, since peptides are digested upon oral administration, active ingredients of a composition for oral administration should be coated or formulated for protection against degradation in the stomach.

[00235] The term "subject" refers to those suspected of having or diagnosed with cancer, a neurodegenerative or an infectious disease. However, any subject to be treated with the pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein is included without limitation. The pharmaceutical composition including an anti-DLL3 antibody disclosed herein is administered to a subject suspected of having cancer, a neurodegenerative or an infectious disease.

[00236] Construction of suitable vectors containing the desired sequences and control sequences employs standard ligation and restriction techniques, which are well understood in the art (see Maniatis et al., in Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York (1982)). Isolated plasmids, DNA sequences, or synthesized oligonucleotides are cleaved, tailored, and re-ligated in the form desired.

[00237] For preparation of antibodies, e.g., recombinant, monoclonal, or polyclonal antibodies, many techniques known in the art can be used (see, e.g., Kohler & Milstein, Nature 256:495-497 (1975); Kozbor et a!., Immunology Today 4:72 (1983); Cole et a!., in Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96 (1985); Coligan, Current Protocols in Immunology (1991); Harlow & Lane, Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual (1988); and Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice (2d ed. 1986)). The genes encoding the heavy and light chains of an antibody of interest can be cloned from a cell, e.g., the genes encoding a monoclonal antibody can be cloned from a hybridoma and used to produce a recombinant monoclonal antibody. Gene libraries encoding heavy and light chains of monoclonal antibodies can also be made from hybridoma or plasma cells. Random combinations of the heavy and light chain gene products generate a large pool of antibodies with different antigenic specificity (see, e.g., Kuby, Immunology (3rd ed. 1997)). Techniques for the production of single chain antibodies or recombinant antibodies (U.S.

Pat. No. 4,946,778, U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567) can be adapted to produce antibodies to polypeptides of this invention. Also, transgenic mice, or other organisms such as other mammals, may be used to express humanized or human antibodies (see, e.g., U.S. Pat.

Nos. 5,545,807; 5,545,806; 5,569,825; 5,625,126; 5,633,425; 5,661,016, Marks et al., Bio/Technology 10:779-783 (1992); Lonberg et a!., Nature 368:856-859 (1994); Morrison, Nature 368:812-13 (1994); Fishwild et al., Nature Biotechnology 14:845-51 (1996); Neuberger, Nature Biotechnology 14:826 (1996); and Lonberg & Huszar, Intern. Rev. Immunol. 13:65-93 (1995)). Alternatively, phage display technology can be used to identify antibodies and heteromeric Fab fragments that specifically bind to selected antigens (see, e.g., McCafferty et a!., Nature 348:552-554 (1990); Marks et a!., Biotechnology 10:779-783 (1992)). Antibodies can also be made bispecific, i.e., able to recognize two different antigens (see, e.g., WO 93/08829, Traunecker et a!., EMBO J. 10:3655-3659 (1991); and Suresh et al., Methods in Enzymology 121 :210 (1986)). Antibodies can also be heteroconjugates, e.g., two covalently joined antibodies, or immunotoxins (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980, WO 91/00360; and WO 92/200373).

[00238] Methods for humanizing antibodies are well known in the art. Generally, a humanized antibody has one or more amino acid residues introduced into it from a source which is non-human. These non-human amino acid residues are often referred to as import residues, which are typically taken from an import variable domain. Humanization can be essentially performed following the method of Winter and co-workers (see, e.g., Jones et al., Nature 321 :522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature 332:323-327 (1988); Verhoeyen et al., Science 239:1534-1536 (1988) and Presta, Curr. Op. Struct. Biol. 2:593-596 (1992)), by substituting rodent CDRs or CDR sequences for the corresponding sequences of a human antibody. Accordingly, such humanized antibodies are chimeric antibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567), wherein substantially less than an intact human variable domain has been substituted by the corresponding sequence from a non-human species. In practice, humanized antibodies are typically human antibodies in which some CDR residues and possibly some FR residues are substituted by residues from analogous sites in rodent antibodies.

[00239] The term “cancer” refers to human cancers and carcinomas, sarcomas, adenocarcinomas, etc., including solid tumors, kidney, breast, lung, kidney, bladder, urinary tract, urethra, penis, vulva, vagina, cervical, colon, ovarian, prostate, pancreas, stomach, brain, head and neck, skin, uterine, testicular, esophagus, and liver cancer. Additional cancers include, for example, Hodgkin's Disease, multiple myeloma, neuroblastoma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, primary thrombocytosis, primary macroglobulinemia, small-cell lung tumors, primary brain tumors, stomach cancer, colon cancer, malignant pancreatic insulanoma, malignant carcinoid, premalignant skin lesions, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, neuroblastoma, esophageal cancer, genitourinary tract cancer, malignant hypercalcemia, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and adrenal cortical cancer.

[00240] The term “checkpoint inhibitor” or “immune checkpoint inhibitor” refers to an agent such as a drug that inhibits/blocks the inhibitory checkpoint molecules. Some cancers can protect themselves from attack by stimulating immune checkpoint targets. Checkpoint therapy can block inhibitory checkpoints, restoring immune system function.

[00241] The term "immune checkpoint regulator" refers to receptors and their associated ligands, which together provide a means for inhibiting or stimulating signaling pathways that otherwise lead to T-cell activation. Immune checkpoint regulators include TIGIT and its CD155 ligand, PVR; PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2; CTLA-4 and its ligands, B7-1 and B7-2; TIM-3 and its ligand, Galectin-9; LAG-3 and its ligands, including liver sinusoidal endothelial cell lectin (LSECtin) and Galectin-3; CD122 and its CD122R ligands; CD70, B7H3, B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), and VISTA.

[00242] The term "checkpoint regulator antagonist," "immune checkpoint binding antagonist" and "immune checkpoint antagonist" refer to a class of agents that interfere with (or inhibit) the activity of an immune checkpoint regulator so that, as a result of the binding to the checkpoint regulator or its ligand, signaling through the checkpoint regulator receptor is blocked or inhibited. By inhibiting this signaling, immune-suppression can be reversed so that T cell immunity against cancer cells can be re-established or enhanced. Immune checkpoint regulator antagonists include antibody fragments, peptide inhibitors, dominant negative peptides and small molecule drugs, either in isolated forms or as part of a fusion protein or conjugate. Example targets of checkpoint regulator antagonists include PD1 ,

PDL1 , CTLA4, LAG3, TIM-3, TIGIT, VISTA.

[00243] The term "immune checkpoint binding agonist" and "immune checkpoint agonist" refer to a class of agents that stimulate the activity of an immune checkpoint regulator so that, as a result of the binding to the checkpoint regulator or its ligand, signaling through the checkpoint regulator receptor is stimulated. By stimulating this signaling, T cell immunity against cancer cells can be re-established or enhanced. The targets of checkpoint regulator agonists include members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, such as CD27, CD40, 0X40 (CD 134), glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related protein (GITR), and 4-1 BB (CD137) and their ligands. Additional targets of checkpoint regulator agonists belong to the B7-CD28 superfamily, including CD28 and ICOS.

[00244] In any of the embodiments above, one or more cancer therapies, e.g., chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, surgery, or hormone therapy can be co- administered further with an antibody of the invention.

[00245] In one embodiment, the chemotherapeutic reagent is an alkylating agent: nitrogen mustards, nitrosoureas, tetrazines, aziridines, cisplatins and derivatives, and non- classical alkylating agents. Nitrogen mustards include mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide, melphalan, chlorambucil, ifosfamide and busulfan. Nitrosoureas include N-Nitroso-N- methylurea (MNU), carmustine (BCNU), lomustine (CCNU) and semustine (MeCCNU), fotemustine and streptozotocin. Tetrazines include dacarbazine, mitozolomide and temozolomide. Aziridines include thiotepa, mytomycin and diaziquone (AZQ). Cisplatin and derivatives include cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin. In one embodiment the chemotherapeutic reagent is an anti-metabolites: the anti-folates (e.g., methotrexate), fluoropyrimidines (e.g., fluorouracil and capecitabine), deoxynucleoside analogues and thiopurines. In another embodiment the chemoptheraputic reagent is an anti-microtubule agent such as vinca alkaloids (e.g., vincristine and vinblastine) and taxanes (e.g., paclitaxel and docetaxel). In another embodiment the chemotherapeutic reagent is a topoisomerase inhibitor or a cytotoxic antibiotic such as doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, bleomycin, actinomycin, and mitomycin.

[00246] The contacting of the patient with the antibody or antibody fragment, can be by administering the antibody to the patient intravenously, intraperitoneally, intramuscularly, intratumorally, or intradermally. In some embodiments the antibody is co-administered with a cancer therapy agent.

[00247] The term “formulation” as used herein refers to the antibodies disclosed herein and excipients combined together which can be administered and has the ability to bind to the corresponding receptors and initiate a signal transduction pathway resulting in the desired activity. The formulation can optionally comprise other agents.

[00248] All numerical designations, e.g., pH, temperature, time, concentration, and molecular weight, including ranges, are to be understood as approximations in accordance with common practice in the art. When used herein, the term “about” may connote variation (+) or (-) 1%, 5% or 10% of the stated amount, as appropriate given the context. It is to be understood, although not always explicitly stated, that the reagents described herein are merely exemplary and that equivalents of such are known in the art.

[00249] Many known and useful compounds and the like can be found in Remington’s Pharmaceutical Sciences (13 ^th Ed), Mack Publishing Company, Easton, PA — a standard reference for various types of administration. As used herein, the term “formulation(s)” means a combination of at least one active ingredient with one or more other ingredient, also commonly referred to as excipients, which may be independently active or inactive. The term “formulation” may or may not refer to a pharmaceutically acceptable composition for administration to humans or animals and may include compositions that are useful intermediates for storage or research purposes.

[00250] As the patients and subjects of the invention method are, in addition to humans, veterinary subjects, formulations suitable for these subjects are also appropriate. Such subjects include livestock and pets as well as sports animals such as horses, greyhounds, and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00251] The DLL3 gene provides instructions for making a protein that helps control the Notch pathway, an important pathway in embryonic development. DLL3 is usually an intracellular protein but it is also expressed on the surface of cancer cells. DLL3 is expressed normally on the inside of cells and at low levels on normal tissues. However, lung tumor cells overexpress the gene and cell surface DLL3 levels are increased. Recent studies have reported that DLL3 is also expressed in other tumor types of neuroendocrine origin, including melanoma, glioblastoma multiforme, small cell bladder cancer, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and neuroendocrine lung tumors.

[00252] CD (cluster of differentiation) molecules (e.g. CD3, CD28 and CD137) CD3, CD28 and CD137are receptors present on T cells. T cells can be activated by antigen- presenting cells via CD3, CD28 and CD137. Two parallel therapeutic strategies are pursued for activating or engaging T cells to kill tumor cells.

[00253] Embodiments of the invention include methods of diagnosing, prognosing, treating, monitoring and preventing cancer, including refractory cancer, using anti-DLL3 antibodies and antibody conjugates, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and articles of manufacture. More specifically, the invention is directed to bispecific molecules that bind to DLL3 and activate CD (cluster of differentiation) molecules (e.g. CD3, CD28 and CD137).

[00254] Embodiments of the invention also include methods of diagnosing, prognosing, treating, monitoring and preventing cancer, including refractory cancer, using anti-MUC17 antibodies and antibody conjugates, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and articles of manufacture. More specifically, the invention is directed to bispecific molecules that bind to MUC17 and activate CD (cluster of differentiation) molecules (e.g. CD3, CD28 and CD137).

[00255] Embodiments of the invention also include methods of diagnosing, prognosing, treating, monitoring and preventing cancer, including refractory cancer, using anti-CLDN18.2 antibodies and antibody conjugates, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and articles of manufacture. More specifically, the invention is directed to bispecific molecules that bind to CLDN18.2 and activate CD (cluster of differentiation) molecules (e.g. CD3, CD28 and CD137).

DLL3 T-Cell Engagers

[00256] Embodiments of the invention include bispecific monoclonal antibodies (BSMAbs). The single chain variable fragment (scFv) of a first antibody can be joined with the antigen binding fragment (Fab) of a second antibody. For example, the scFv portion of an antibody against CD3 can be linked to a Fab portion of an antibody against DLL3. They can be joined with a linker, such as 4xGKPGS and 4xG4S linkers. The lgG1 Fc can be heterodimerized with charge pair or “knob into hole” mutations or charge pair mutations.

The Fc effector function can be minimized through the introduction of N297A/G mutations or LLP mutations. The combination can bring an effector cell (T-cell or NK cell) into the proximity of the tumor cell to enhance antitumor effect.

[00257] FIG. 1A- 1F and 2A- 2C depict several formats for bispecific molecules of the invention. The DLL3 x CD3 bispecific molecules can activate T cell cytotoxicity against DLL3 expressing CHO cells or NCI-H82 tumor cells. This is exemplified by the release of LDH upon cell death, as well as the upregulation of CD25 on the T cells. When combined with DLL3 x CD28 or DLL3 x CD137 bispecific molecules, the T cells are further activated, proliferate, and release IFN gamma and IL-2.

[00258] CD28 signaling is essential for the activity of anti-PD1 and anti-PDL1 antibodies, thus co-dosing the DLL3 x CD28 bispecific molecules with anti-PD1 and anti-PDL1 can improve the responses to the inhibition of the PD1/PDL1 pathway. CD137 is highly expressed on activated T cells, which cannot be stimulated by PD1/PDL1 stimulation alone. However, DLL3 x CD137 or DLL3 x CD28 x CD137 stimulation combined with PD-1 blockade results in robust antitumor immunity.

[00259] FIG. 1 A - 1 F depict several Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc formats for bispecific molecules of the invention. Each is a Scfv-Fc fragment joined with a Fab-Fc fragment. FIG. 1 A depicts an anti-CD3 Scfy paired with an anti-DLL3 Fab (CH1-VH + CK-VL). Similarly, FIG. 1B depicts an anti-CD28 Scfv paired with an anti-DLL3 Fab molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL).

[00260] FIG. 1C depicts an anti-DLL3 Scfv-Fc paired with an anti-CD3 Fab molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL). Similarly, FIG. 1D depicts an anti-DLL3 Scfv paired with an anti-CD28 Fab molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL).

[00261] FIG. 1E depicts an anti-CD137 Scfv paired with an anti-DLL3 Fab molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL). Similarly, FIG. 1F depicts an anti-DLL3 Scfv-Fc paired with an anti- CD137 Fab-Fc molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL).

[00262] FIG. 2A- 2C depict Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention. Each is a Scfv-scfv-Fc fragment is joined with a Fc fragment.

[00263] FIG. 2A depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD3 Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc molecule. FIG. 2B depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD28 Scfv-Fc x Fc molecule. FIG. 2C depicts an anti-DLL3, anti- CD137 Scfv-Fc x Fc molecule.

[00264] FIG. 2D - 2F depict combinations of DLL3 bi-specific T-Cell Engagers according to embodiments of the invention, specifically, Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc molecules. [00265] FIG. 2D depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD3, anti-DLL3 Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc molecule. FIG. 2E depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD28, anti-DLL3 Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc molecule. FIG. 2F depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD137, anti-DLL3 Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc molecule.

DLL3 Bispecific Molecules with two CD137 Fragments

[00266] FIG. 20Ato 20F depict bispecific molecules with two CD137 Fab fragments.

[00267] FIG. 20A depicts an anti-CD137, anti-DLL3 Fab molecule. Similarly, FIG. 20B depicts an anti-CD137, anti-DLL3, anti-CD3 Fab molecule. FIG. 20C depicts an alternative configuration of an anti-CD137, anti-DLL3, anti-CD3 Fab molecule.

[00268] FIG. 21 A and 21 B depict bispecific molecules with two CD137 scfv fragments. Similarly, FIG. 21 A depicts an anti-DLL3, anti-CD3, anti-CD137 scfv molecule.

[00269] FIG. 21 B depicts an alternative configuration of an anti-DLL3, anti-CD3, anti- CD137 scfv molecule. FIG. 21 C depicts an alternative configuration of an anti-DLL3, anti- CD3, anti-CD137 scfv molecule. FIG. 21 D depicts an alternative configuration of an anti- DLL3, anti-CD3, anti-CD137 scfv molecule. FIG. 21 E depicts an alternative configuration of an anti-DLL3, anti-CD3, anti-CD137 scfv molecule. FIG. 21 F depicts an alternative configuration of an anti-DLL3, anti-CD3, anti-CD137 scfv molecule.

[00270] In an embodiment, the bispecific molecule can be co-administered or combined with an antagonist such as PD1 , PDL1 , TIGIT, LAG 3, TIM3, VISTA or CTLA4. Alternatively, the bispecific molecule can be co-administered or combined with a bispecific antagonist such as PD1 x TIGIT, LAG 3 x TIGIT, PD1 x LAG 3, PD1 x TIM3 or VEGF x TGFBR2. The bispecific molecule can also be co-administered or combined with an agonist such as CD40, GITR, CD27, 0X40 or 4-1BB.

MUC17 T-Cell Engagers

[00271] Embodiments of the invention include bispecific monoclonal antibodies (BSMAbs). The single chain variable fragment (scFv) of a first antibody can be joined with the antigen binding fragment (Fab) of a second antibody. For example, the scFv portion of an antibody against CD3 can be linked to a Fab portion of an antibody against MUC17.

They can be joined with a linker, such as 4xGKPGS and 4xG4S linkers. The IgG 1 Fc can be heterodimerized with charge pair or “knob into hole” mutations or charge pair mutations.

The Fc effector function can be minimized through the introduction of N297A/G mutations or LLP mutations. The combination can bring an effector cell (T-cell or NK cell) into the proximity of the tumor cell to enhance antitumor effect.

[00272] FIG. 22A - 22F and 23A - 23F depict several formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention. The MUC17 x CD3 bispecific molecules can activate T cell cytotoxicity against MUC17 expressing CHO cells or ASPC1 tumor cells. This is exemplified by the release of LDH upon cell death, as well as the upregulation of CD25 on the T cells. When combined with MUC17 x CD28 or MUC17 x CD137 bispecific molecules, the T cells are further activated, proliferate, and release IFN gamma and IL-2.

[00273] CD28 signaling is essential for the activity of anti-PD1 and anti-PDL1 antibodies, thus co-dosing the MUC17 x CD28 bispecific molecules with anti-PD1 and anti-PDL1 can improve the responses to the inhibition of the PD1/PDL1 pathway. CD137 is highly expressed on activated T cells, which cannot be stimulated by PD1/PDL1 stimulation alone. However, MUC17 x CD137 or MUC17 x CD28 x CD137 stimulation combined with PD-1 blockade results in robust antitumor immunity.

[00274] FIG. 21A- 21F depict several Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention. Each is a Scfv-Fc fragment joined with a Fab-Fc fragment. FIG. 21A depicts an anti-CD3 Scfv paired with an anti-MUC17 Fab (CH1-VH + CK-VL). Similarly, FIG. 21B depicts an anti-CD28 Scfv paired with an anti-MUC17 Fab molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL).

[00275] FIG. 21 C depicts an anti-MUC17 Scfv-Fc paired with an anti-CD3 Fab molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL). Similarly, FIG. 21D depicts an anti-MUC17 Scfv paired with an anti- CD28 Fab molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL).

[00276] FIG. 21 E depicts an anti-CD137 Scfv paired with an anti-MUC17 Fab molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL). Similarly, FIG. 21F depicts an anti-MUC17 Scfv-Fc paired with an anti- CD137 Fab-Fc molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL).

[00277] FIG. 22A - 22C depict Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention. Each is a Scfv-scfv-Fc fragment is joined with a Fc fragment.

[00278] FIG. 22A depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD3 Scfv-scfv-Fc x -Fc molecule. FIG. 23B depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD28 Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc molecule. FIG. 22C depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD137 Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc molecule.

[00279] FIG. 22D - 22F depict combinations of MUC17 bi-specific T-Cell Engagers according to embodiments of the invention, specifically, Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc molecules.

[00280] FIG. 22D depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD3, anti-MUC17 Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc molecule. FIG. 22E depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD28, anti-MUC17 Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc molecule. FIG. 22F depicts an anti-MUC17, anti-CD137, anti-MUC17 Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc molecule.

Muc17x CD137 and DLL3 x CD137 molecules

[00281] FIG. 38A and 38B depict Muc17x CD137 and DLL3 x CD137 molecules. FIG. 38A depicts an anti-Muc17 + BBK-4 Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc molecule. Similarly, FIG. 38B depicts a BBK-4 + BBK-4 + anti-Muc17 Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc molecule.

[00282] FIG. 39A and 39B depict bispecific Muc17 x CD137 molecules. FIG. 39A depicts an alternative configuration of a urelumab antibody with anti-Muc17scfv fused to the C-terminus of the heavy chain. FIG. 39B depicts a BBK-4 antibody with anti-Muc17scfv fused to the C-terminus of the heavy chain.

[00283] In an embodiment, the bispecific molecule can be co-administered or combined with an antagonist such as PD1 , PDL1 , TIGIT, LAG 3, TIM3, VISTA or CTLA4. Alternatively, the bispecific molecule can be co-administered or combined with a bispecific antagonist such as PD1 x TIGIT, LAG 3 x TIGIT, PD1 x LAG 3, PD1 x TIM3 or VEGF x TGFBR2. The bispecific molecule can also be co-administered or combined with an agonist such as CD40, GITR, CD27, 0X40 or 4-1BB.

CLDN 18.2 T-Cell Engagers

[00284] Embodiments of the invention include bispecific monoclonal antibodies

(BSMAbs). The single chain variable fragment (scFv) of a first antibody can be joined with the antigen binding fragment (Fab) of a second antibody. For example, the scFv portion of an antibody against CD3 can be linked to a Fab portion of an antibody against CLDN18.2. They can be joined with a linker such as 4xGKPGS and 4xG4S linkers. The IgG 1 Fc can be heterodimerized with charge pair or “knob into hole” mutations or charge pair mutations.

The Fc effector function can be minimized through the introduction of N297A/G mutations or LLP mutations. The combination can bring an effector cell (T-cell or NK cell) into the proximity of the tumor cell to enhance antitumor effect. [00285] FIG. 40A - 40D and 41 A - 41 F depict several formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention. The CLDN18.2 x CD3 bispecific molecules CLDN18.2 x CD28 x CD3 and CLDN18.2 x CD137 x CD3 can activate T cell cytotoxicity against huCLDN18.2 expressing CHO cells or SNU-601 tumor cells. This is exemplified by the release of LDH upon cell death, as well as the upregulation of CD25 on the T cells. When combined with CLDN18.2 x CD28 or CLDN18.2 x CD137 bispecific molecules, the T cells are further activated, proliferate, and release IFN gamma and IL-2.

[00286] CD28 signaling is essential for the activity of anti-PD1 and anti-PDL1 antibodies, thus co-dosing the CLDN18.2 x CD28 bispecific molecules with anti-PD1 and anti-PDL1 can improve the responses to the inhibition of the PD1/PDL1 pathway. CD137 is highly expressed on activated T cells, which cannot be stimulated by PD1/PDL1 stimulation alone. However, CLDN18.2 x CD137 or CLDN18.2 x CD28 x CD137 stimulation combined with PD- 1 blockade results in robust antitumor immunity.

[00287] FIG. 40A- 40D and 41 A - 41 F depict several Scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention. Each is a Scfv-Fc fragment joined with a Fab-Fc fragment. FIG. 40A depicts an anti-CD3 Scfv paired with an anti-CLDN18.2 Fab (CH1-VH + CK-VL). Similarly, FIG. 40B depicts an anti-CD28 Scfv paired with an anti-CLDN18.2 Fab molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL).

[00288] FIG. 40C depicts an anti-CLDN18.2 Scfv-Fc paired with an anti-CD3 Fab molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL). Similarly, FIG. 40D depicts an anti-CLDN18.2 Scfv paired with an anti-CD28 Fab molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL).

[00289] FIG. 40E depicts an anti-CD137 Scfv paired with an anti-CLDN18.2 Fab molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL). Similarly, FIG. 40F depicts an anti-CLDN18.2 Scfv-Fc paired with an anti-CD137 Fab-Fc molecule (CH1-VH + CK-VL).

[00290] FIG. 41 A - 41 C depict Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fc formats for the bispecific molecules of the invention. Each is a Scfv-scfv-Fc fragment is joined with a Fc fragment.

[00291] FIG. 41A depicts an anti-CLDN18.2, anti-CD3 Scfv-Scfv-Fc x -Fc molecule.

FIG. 41 B depicts an anti-CLDN18.2, anti-CD28 Scfv-Scfv-Fc x Fc molecule. FIG. 41 C depicts an anti-CLDN18.2, anti-CD137 Scfv-Scfv-Fc x Fc molecule.

[00292] FIG. 41D - 41F depict combinations of CLDN 18.2 bi-specific T-Cell Engagers according to embodiments of the invention, specifically, Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc molecules.

[00293] FIG. 41 D depicts an anti-CLDN18.2, anti-CD3, anti-CLDN18.2 Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc molecule. FIG. 41 E depicts an anti-CLDN18.2, anti-CD28, anti-CLDN18.2 Scfv-scfv- Fc x Fab-Fc molecule. FIG. 41 F depicts an anti-CLDN18.2, anti-CD137, anti-CLDN18.2 Scfv-scfv-Fc x Fab-Fc molecule.

[00294] In an embodiment, the bispecific molecule can be co-administered or combined with an antagonist such as PD1 , PDL1 , TIGIT, LAG 3, TIM3, VISTA or CTLA4. Alternatively, the bispecific molecule can be co-administered or combined with a bispecific antagonist such as PD1 x TIGIT, LAG 3 x TIGIT, PD1 x LAG 3, PD1 x TIM3 or VEGF x TGFBR2. The bispecific molecule can also be co-administered or combined with an agonist such as CD40, GITR, CD27, 0X40 or 4-1BB.

Methods from Producing Bispecific T-Ceii Engagers

[00295] Another aspect relates to a method for producing a bispecific antibody comprising culturing a cell transiently or stably expressing one or more constructs encoding one or more polypeptide chains in the bispecific antibody; and purifying the bispecific antibody from the cultured cells. Any cell capable of producing a functional bispecific antibody can be used. In preferred embodiments, the bispecific antibody-expressing cell is of eukaryotic or mammalian origin, preferably a human cell or Chinese hamster cell. Cells from various tissue cell types may be used to express the bispecific antibodies. In other embodiments, the cell is a yeast cell, an insect cell or a bacterial cell. Preferably, the bispecific antibody-producing cell is stably transformed with a vector expressing the bispecific antibody.

[00296] One or more expression vectors encoding the antibody heavy or light chains can be introduced into a cell by any conventional method, such as by naked DNA technique, cationic lipid-mediated transfection, polymer-mediated transfection, peptide-mediated transfection, virus-mediated infection, physical or chemical agents or treatments, electroporation, etc. In addition, cells may be transfected with one or more expression vectors for expressing the bispecific antibody along with a selectable marker facilitating selection of stably transformed clones expressing the bispecific antibody. The antibodies produced by such cells may be collected and/or purified according to techniques known in the art, such as by centrifugation, chromatography, etc.

[00297] Examples of suitable selectable markers for mammalian cells include dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), thymidine kinase, neomycin, neomycin analog G418, hydromycin, zeocin, blasticidin, and puromycin. When such selectable markers are successfully transferred into a mammalian host cell, the transformed mammalian host cell can survive if placed under selective pressure. There are two widely used distinct categories of selective regimes. The first category is based on a cell's metabolism and the use of a mutant cell line which lacks the ability to grow independent of a supplemented media. Two examples are CHO DHFR cells and mouse LTK cells. These cells lack the ability to grow without the addition of such nutrients as thymidine or hypoxanthine. Because these cells lack certain genes necessary for a complete nucleotide synthesis pathway, they cannot survive unless the missing nucleotides are provided in a supplemented media. An alternative to supplementing the media is to introduce an intact DHFR or TK gene into cells lacking the respective genes, thus altering their growth requirements. Individual cells which were not transformed with the DHFR or TK gene will not be capable of survival in non- supplemented media.

[00298] The second category is dominant selection which refers to a selection scheme used in any cell type and does not require the use of a mutant cell line. These schemes typically use a drug to arrest growth of a host cell. Those cells which have a novel gene would express a protein conveying drug resistance and would survive the selection. Examples of such dominant selection use the drugs neomycin, mycophenolic acid, or hygromycin. The three examples employ bacterial genes under eukaryotic control to convey resistance to the appropriate drug G418 or neomycin (geneticin), xgpt (mycophenolic acid) or hygromycin, respectively. Others include the neomycin analog G418 and puromycin.

[00299] Exemplary bispecific antibody-expressing cells include human Jurkat, human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, mouse WEHI fibrosarcoma cells, as well as unicellular protozoan species, such as Leishmania tarentolae. In addition, stably transformed, antibody producing cell lines may be produced using primary cells immortalized with c-myc or other immortalizing agents.

[00300] In some embodiments, the cell lines express at least 1 mg, at least 2 mg, at least 5 mg, at least 10 mg, at least 20 mg, at least 50 mg, at least 100 mg, at least 500 mg, at least 1 gram, at least 2 grams, at least 4 grams, or at least 10 grams of the bispecific antibody/liter of culture. Bispecific antibodies can be isolated from bispecific antibody expressing cells following culture and maintenance in any appropriate culture medium, such as RPMI, DMEM, and AIM V®. The bispecific antibodies can be purified using conventional protein purification methodologies (e.g., affinity purification, chromatography, etc.), including the use of Protein-A or Protein-G immunoaffinity purification. In some embodiments, bispecific antibodies are engineered for secretion into culture supernatants for isolation therefrom.

Methods of Treatment

[00301] Another aspect of the present application relates to a method for treating a cell proliferative disorder. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a bispecific antibody according to the present disclosure. In another aspect, a method for treating a cell proliferative disorder comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of one or more expression vectors expressing a bispecific antibody according to the present disclosure.

[00302] Any suitable route or mode of administration can be employed for providing the patient with a therapeutically or prophylactically effective dose of the bispecific antibody. Exemplary routes or modes of administration include parenteral {e.g., intravenous, intraarterial, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intratumoral), oral, topical (nasal, transdermal, intradermal or intraocular), mucosal {e.g., nasal, sublingual, buccal, rectal, vaginal), inhalation, intralymphatic, intraspinal, intracranial, intraperitoneal, intratracheal, intravesical, intrathecal, enteral, intrapulmonary, intralymphatic, intracavital, intraorbital, intracapsular and transurethral, as well as local delivery by catheter or stent.

[00303] A pharmaceutical composition comprising a bispecific antibody in accordance with the present disclosure can be formulated in any pharmaceutically acceptable carrier(s) or excipient(s). As used herein, the term "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like that are physiologically compatible. Pharmaceutical compositions can include suitable solid or gel phase carriers or excipients. Exemplary carriers or excipients include calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars, starches, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, and polymers such as polyethylene glycols. Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include one or more of water, saline, phosphate buffered saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol and the like, as well as combinations thereof. In many cases it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, or sodium chloride in the composition. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can further comprise minor amounts of auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, preservatives or buffers, which enhance the shelf life or effectiveness of the therapeutic agents.

[00304] The bispecific antibody can be incorporated into a pharmaceutical composition suitable for parenteral administration. Suitable buffers include but are not limited to, sodium succinate, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate or potassium phosphate. Sodium chloride can be used to modify the toxicity of the solution at a concentration of 0-300 mM (optimally 150 mM for a liquid dosage form). Cryoprotectants can be included for a lyophilized dosage form, principally 0-10% sucrose (optimally 0.5-1.0%). Other suitable cryoprotectants include trehalose and lactose. Bulking agents can be included for a lyophilized dosage form, principally 1- 10% mannitol (optimally 2-4%). Stabilizers can be used in both liquid and lyophilized dosage forms, principally 1-50 mM L-Methionine (optimally 5-10 mM). Other suitable bulking agents include glycine, arginine, can be included as 0-0.05%> polysorbate- 80 (optimally 0.005-0.0 1%). Additional surfactants include but are not limited to polysorbate 20 and BRIJ surfactants.

[00305] Therapeutic bispecific antibody preparations can be lyophilized and stored as sterile powders, preferably under vacuum, and then reconstituted in bacteriostatic water (containing, for example, benzyl alcohol preservative) or in sterile water prior to injection. Pharmaceutical compositions can be formulated for parenteral administration by injection e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion.

[00306] The therapeutic agents in the pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated in a "therapeutically effective amount" or a "prophylactically effective amount". A "therapeutically effective amount" refers to an amount effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired therapeutic result. A therapeutically effective amount of the recombinant vector may vary depending on the condition to be treated, the severity and course of the condition, the mode of administration, whether the antibody or agent is administered for preventive or therapeutic purposes, the bioavailability of the particular agent(s), the ability of the bispecific antibody to elicit a desired response in the individual, previous therapy, the age, weight and sex of the patient, the patient's clinical history and response to the antibody, the type of the bispecific antibody used, discretion of the attending physician, etc. A therapeutically effective amount is also one in which any toxic or detrimental effects of the recombinant vector is outweighed by the therapeutically beneficial effects. A "prophylactically effective amount" refers to an amount effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired prophylactic result.

[00307] Preferably, the polypeptide domains in the bispecific antibody are derived from the same host in which they are to be administered in order to reduce inflammatory responses against the administered therapeutic agents.

[00308] The bispecific antibody is suitably administered to the patent at one time or over a series of treatments and may be administered to the patient at any time from diagnosis onwards. The bispecific antibody may be administered as the sole treatment or in conjunction with other drugs or therapies useful in treating the condition in question.

[00309] As a general proposition, a therapeutically effective amount or prophylactically effective amount of the bispecific antibody will be administered in a range from about 1 ng/kg body weight/day to about 100 mg/kg body weight/day whether by one or more administrations. In a particular embodiment, each bispecific antibody is administered in the range of from about 1 ng/kg body weight/day to about 10 mg/kg body weight/day, about 1 ng/kg body weight/day to about 1 mg/kg body weight/day, about 1 ng/kg body weight/day to about 100 g/kg body weight/day, about 1 ng/kg body weight/day to about 10 g/kg body weight/day, about 1 ng/kg body weight/day to about 1 g/kg body weight/day, about 1 ng/kg body weight/day to about 100 ng/kg body weight/day, about 1 ng/kg body weight/day to about 10 ng/kg body weight/day, about 10 ng/kg body weight/day to about 100 mg/kg body weight/day, about 10 ng/kg body weight/day to about 10 mg/kg body weight/day, about 10 ng/kg body weight/day to about 1 mg/kg body weight/day, about 10 ng/kg body weight/day to about 100 g/kg body weight/day, about 10 ng/kg body weight/day to about 10 mg/kg body weight/day, about 10 ng/kg body weight/day to about 1 mg/kg body weight/day, 10 ng/kg body weight/day to about 100 ng/kg body weight/day, about 100 ng/kg body weight/day to about 100 mg/kg body weight/day, about 100 ng/kg body weight/day to about 10 mg/kg body weight/day, about 100 ng/kg body weight/day to about 1 mg/kg body weight/day, about 100 ng/kg body weight/day to about 100 mg/kg body weight/day, about 100 ng/kg body weight/day to about 10 mg/kg body weight/day, about 100 ng/kg body weight/day to about 1 mg/kg body weight/day, about 1 mg/kg body weight/day to about 100 mg/kg body weight/day, about 1 mg /kg body weight/day to about 10 mg/kg body weight/day, about 1 mg /kg body weight/day to about 1 mg/kg body weight/day, about 1 mg /kg body weight/day to about 100 mg/kg body weight/day, about 1 mg /kg body weight/day to about 10 mg/kg body weight/day, about 10 mg/kg body weight/day to about 100 mg/kg body weight/day, about 10 mg /kg body weight/day to about 10 mg/kg body weight/day, about 10 mg /kg body weight/day to about 1 mg/kg body weight/day, about 10 mg /kg body weight/day to about 100 mg/kg body weight/day, about 100 mg/kg body weight/day to about 100 mg/kg body weight/day, about 100 mg /kg body weight/day to about 10 mg/kg body weight/day, about 100 mg /kg body weight/day to about 1 mg/kg body weight/day, about 1 mg/kg body weight/day to about 100 mg/kg body weight/day, about 1 mg/kg body weight/day to about 10 mg/kg body weight/day, about 10 mg/kg body weight/day to about 100 mg/kg body weight/day. [00310] In other embodiments, the bispecific antibody is administered at a dose of 500 g to 20 g every three days, or 25 mg/kg body weight every three days.

[00311] In other embodiments, each bispecific antibody is administered in the range of about 10 ng to about 100 ng per individual administration, about 10 ng to about 1 g per individual administration, about 10 ng to about 10 g per individual administration, about 10 ng to about 100 mg per individual administration, about 10 ng to about 1mg per individual administration, about 10 ng to about 10 mg per individual administration, about 10 ng to about 100 mg per individual administration, about 10 ng to about 1000 mg per injection, about 10 ng to about 10,000 mg per individual administration, about 100 ng to about 1 mg per individual administration, about 100 ng to about 10 mg per individual administration, about 100 ng to about 100 mg per individual administration, about 100 ng to about 1mg per individual administration, about 100 ng to about 10 mg per individual administration, about 100 ng to about 100 mg per individual administration, about 100 ng to about 1000 mg per injection, about 100 ng to about 10,000 mg per individual administration, about 1 mg to about 10 mg per individual administration, about 1 mg to about 100 mg per individual administration, about 1 mg to about 1 mg per individual administration, about 1 mg to about 10 mg per individual administration, about 1 mg to about 100 mg per individual administration, about 1 mg to about 1000 mg per injection, about 1 mg to about 10,000 mg per individual administration, about 10 mg to about 100 mg per individual administration, about 10 mg to about 1mg per individual administration, about 10 mg to about 10 mg per individual administration, about 10 mg to about 100 mg per individual administration, about 10 mg to about 1000 mg per injection, about 10 mg to about 10,000 mg per individual administration, about 100 mg to about 1mg per individual administration, about 100 mg to about 10 mg per individual administration, about 100 mg to about 100 mg per individual administration, about 100 mg to about 1000 mg per injection, about 100 mg to about 10,000 mg per individual administration, about 1mg to about 10 mg per individual administration, about 1 mg to about 100 mg per individual administration, about 1mg to about 1000 mg per injection, about 1mg to about 10,000 mg per individual administration, about 10 mg to about 100 mg per individual administration, about 10 mg to about 1000 mg per injection, about 10 mg to about 10,000 mg per individual administration, about 100 mg to about 1000 mg per injection, about 100 mg to about 10,000 mg per individual administration and about 1000 mg to about 10,000 mg per individual administration. The bispecific antibody may be administered daily, every 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 days, or every 1 , 2, 3 or 4 weeks.

[00312] In other particular embodiments, the amount of the bispecific antibody may be administered at a dose of about 0.0006 mg/day, 0.001 mg/day, 0.003 mg/day, 0.006 mg/day, 0.01 mg/day, 0.03 mg/day, 0.06 mg/day, 0.1 mg/day, 0.3 mg/day, 0.6 mg/day, 1 mg/day, 3 mg/day, 6 mg/day, 10 mg/day, 30 mg/day, 60 mg/day, 100 mg/day, 300 mg/day, 600 mg/day, 1000 mg/day, 2000 mg/day, 5000 mg/day or 10,000 mg/day. As expected, the dosage will be dependent on the condition, size, age and condition of the patient.

[00313] In certain embodiments, the coding sequences for a bispecific antibody are incorporated into a suitable expression vector (e.g., viral or non-viral vector) for expressing an effective amount of the bispecific antibody in patient with a cell proliferative disorder. In certain embodiments comprising administration of e.g., one or more recombinant AAV (rAAV) viruses, the pharmaceutical composition may comprise the rAAVs in an amount comprising at least 10 ¹⁰ , at least 10 ¹¹ , at least 10 ¹² , at least 10 ¹³ , or at least 10 ¹⁴ genome copies (GC) or recombinant viral particles per kg, or any range thereof. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises an effective amount of the recombinant virus, such as rAAV, in an amount comprising at least 10 ¹⁰ , at least 10 ¹¹ , at least 10 ¹² , at least 10 ¹³ , at least 10 ¹⁴ , at least 10 ¹⁵ genome copies or recombinant viral particles genome copies per subject, or any range thereof.

[00314] Dosages can be tested in several art-accepted animal models suitable for any particular cell proliferative disorder.

[00315] Delivery methodologies may also include the use of polycationic condensed DNA linked or unlinked to killed viruses, ligand linked DNA, liposomes, eukaryotic cell delivery vehicles cells, deposition of photopolymerized hydrogel materials, use of a handheld gene transfer particle gun, ionizing radiation, nucleic charge neutralization or fusion with cell membranes, particle mediated gene transfer and the like.

[00316] In other aspects of this embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition compound disclosed herein reduces the size of a tumor by, e.g., at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95%. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein reduces the size of a tumor from, e.g., about 5% to about 100%, about 10% to about 100%, about 20% to about 100%, about 30% to about 100%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 100%, about 60% to about 100%, about 70% to about 100%, about 80% to about 100%, about 10% to about 90%, about 20% to about 90%, about 30% to about 90%, about 40% to about 90%, about 50% to about 90%, about 60% to about 90%, about 70% to about 90%, about 10% to about 80%, about 20% to about 80%, about 30% to about 80%, about 40% to about 80%, about 50% to about 80%, or about 60% to about 80%, about 10% to about 70%, about 20% to about 70%, about 30% to about 70%, about 40% to about 70%, or about 50% to about 70%.

[00317] A pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein is in an amount sufficient to allow customary administration to an individual. In aspects of this embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may be, e.g., at least 5 mg, at least 10 mg, at least 15 mg, at least 20 mg, at least 25 mg, at least 30 mg, at least 35 mg, at least 40 mg, at least 45 mg, at least 50 mg, at least 55 mg, at least 60 mg, at least 65 mg, at least 70 mg, at least 75 mg, at least 80 mg, at least 85 mg, at least 90 mg, at least 95 mg, or at least 100 mg of a pharmaceutical composition. In other aspects of this embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may be, e.g., at least 5 mg, at least 10 mg, at least 20 mg, at least 25 mg, at least 50 mg, at least 75 mg, at least 100 mg, at least 200 mg, at least 300 mg, at least 400 mg, at least 500 mg, at least 600 mg, at least 700 mg, at least 800 mg, at least 900 mg, at least 1 ,000 mg, at least 1 ,100 mg, at least 1 ,200 mg, at least 1 ,300 mg, at least 1 ,400 mg, or at least 1 ,500 mg of a pharmaceutical composition. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may be in the range of, e.g., about 5 mg to about 100 mg, about 10 mg to about 100 mg, about 50 mg to about 150 mg, about 100 mg to about 250 mg, about 150 mg to about 350 mg, about 250 mg to about 500 mg, about 350 mg to about 600 mg, about 500 mg to about 750 mg, about 600 mg to about 900 mg, about 750 mg to about 1 ,000 mg, about 850 mg to about 1 ,200 mg, or about 1,000 mg to about 1 ,500 mg. In still other aspects of this embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may be in the range of, e.g., about 10 mg to about 250 mg, about 10 mg to about 500 mg, about 10 mg to about 750 mg, about 10 mg to about 1,000 mg, about 10 mg to about 1 ,500 mg, about 50 mg to about 250 mg, about 50 mg to about 500 mg, about 50 mg to about 750 mg, about 50 mg to about 1 ,000 mg, about 50 mg to about 1 ,500 mg, about 100 mg to about 250 mg, about 100 mg to about 500 mg, about 100 mg to about 750 mg, about 100 mg to about 1 ,000 mg, about 100 mg to about 1 ,500 mg, about 200 mg to about 500 mg, about 200 mg to about 750 mg, about 200 mg to about 1 ,000 mg, about 200 mg to about 1 ,500 mg, about 5 mg to about 1 ,500 mg, about 5 mg to about 1 ,000 mg, or about 5 mg to about 250 mg.

[00318] A pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may comprise a solvent, emulsion or other diluent in an amount sufficient to dissolve a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein. In other aspects of this embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may comprise a solvent, emulsion or a diluent in an amount of, e.g., less than about 90% (v/v), less than about 80% (v/v), less than about 70% (v/v), less than about 65% (v/v), less than about 60% (v/v), less than about 55% (v/v), less than about 50% (v/v), less than about 45% (v/v), less than about 40% (v/v), less than about 35% (v/v), less than about 30% (v/v), less than about 25% (v/v), less than about 20% (v/v), less than about 15% (v/v), less than about 10% (v/v), less than about 5% (v/v), or less than about 1% (v/v). In other aspects of this embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may comprise a solvent, emulsion or other diluent in an amount in a range of, e.g., about 1% (v/v) to 90% (v/v), about 1% (v/v) to 70% (v/v), about 1% (v/v) to 60% (v/v), about 1% (v/v) to 50% (v/v), about 1% (v/v) to 40% (v/v), about 1% (v/v) to 30% (v/v), about 1% (v/v) to 20% (v/v), about 1% (v/v) to 10% (v/v), about 2% (v/v) to 50% (v/v), about 2% (v/v) to 40% (v/v), about 2% (v/v) to 30% (v/v), about 2% (v/v) to 20% (v/v), about 2% (v/v) to 10% (v/v), about 4% (v/v) to 50% (v/v), about 4% (v/v) to 40% (v/v), about 4% (v/v) to 30% (v/v), about 4% (v/v) to 20% (v/v), about 4% (v/v) to 10% (v/v), about 6% (v/v) to 50% (v/v), about 6% (v/v) to 40% (v/v), about 6% (v/v) to 30% (v/v), about 6% (v/v) to 20% (v/v), about 6% (v/v) to 10% (v/v), about 8% (v/v) to 50% (v/v), about 8% (v/v) to 40% (v/v), about 8% (v/v) to 30% (v/v), about 8% (v/v) to 20% (v/v), about 8% (v/v) to 15% (v/v), or about 8% (v/v) to 12% (v/v).

[00319] The final concentration of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein in a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may be of any concentration desired. In an aspect of this embodiment, the final concentration of a pharmaceutical composition in a pharmaceutical composition may be a therapeutically effective amount. In other aspects of this embodiment, the final concentration of a pharmaceutical composition in a pharmaceutical composition may be, e.g., at least 0.00001 mg/mL, at least 0.0001 mg/mL, at least 0.001 mg/mL, at least 0.01 mg/mL, at least 0.1 mg/mL, at least 1 mg/mL, at least 10 mg/mL, at least 25 mg/mL, at least 50 mg/mL, at least 100 mg/mL, at least 200 mg/mL or at least 500 mg/mL. In other aspects of this embodiment, the final concentration of a pharmaceutical composition in a pharmaceutical composition may be in a range of, e.g., about 0.00001 mg/mL to about 3,000 mg/mL, about 0.0001 mg/mL to about 3,000 mg/mL, about 0.01 mg/mL to about 3,000 mg/mL, about 0.1 mg/mL to about 3,000 mg/mL, about 1 mg/mL to about 3,000 mg/mL, about 250 mg/mL to about 3,000 mg/mL, about 500 mg/mL to about 3,000 mg/mL, about 750 mg/mL to about 3,000 mg/mL, about 1 ,000 mg/mL to about 3,000 mg/mL, about 100 mg/mL to about 2,000 mg/mL, about 250 mg/mL to about 2,000 mg/mL, about 500 mg/mL to about 2,000 mg/mL, about 750 mg/mL to about 2,000 mg/mL, about 1 ,000 mg/mL to about 2,000 mg/mL, about 100 mg/mL to about 1 ,500 mg/mL, about 250 mg/mL to about 1 ,500 mg/mL, about 500 mg/mL to about 1 ,500 mg/mL, about 750 mg/mL to about 1 ,500 mg/mL, about 1 ,000 mg/mL to about 1 ,500 mg/mL, about 100 mg/mL to about 1 ,200 mg/mL, about 250 mg/mL to about 1 ,200 mg/mL, about 500 mg/mL to about 1 ,200 mg/mL, about 750 mg/mL to about 1 ,200 mg/mL, about 1 ,000 mg/mL to about 1 ,200 mg/mL, about 100 mg/mL to about 1 ,000 mg/mL, about 250 mg/mL to about 1 ,000 mg/mL, about 500 mg/mL to about 1 ,000 mg/mL, about 750 mg/mL to about 1 ,000 mg/mL, about 100 mg/mL to about 750 mg/mL, about 250 mg/mL to about 750 mg/mL, about 500 mg/mL to about 750 mg/mL, about 100 mg/mL to about 500 mg/mL, about 250 mg/mL to about 500 mg/mL, about 0.00001 mg/mL to about 0.0001 mg/mL, about 0.00001 mg/mL to about 0.001 mg/mL, about 0.00001 mg/mL to about 0.01 mg/mL, about 0.00001 mg/mL to about 0.1 mg/mL, about 0.00001 mg/mL to about 1 mg/mL, about 0.001 mg/mL to about 0.01 mg/mL, about 0.001 mg/mL to about 0.1 mg/mL, about 0.001 mg/mL to about 1 mg/mL, about 0.001 mg/mL to about 10 mg/mL, or about 0.001 mg/mL to about 100 mg/mL.

[00320] Aspects of the present specification disclose, in part, treating an individual suffering from cancer. As used herein, the term "treating," refers to reducing or eliminating in an individual a clinical symptom of cancer; or delaying or preventing in an individual the onset of a clinical symptom of cancer. For example, the term "treating" can mean reducing a symptom of a condition characterized by a cancer, including, but not limited to, tumor size, by, e.g., at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% at least 95%, or at least 100%. The actual symptoms associated with cancer are well known and can be determined by a person of ordinary skill in the art by taking into account factors, including, without limitation, the location of the cancer, the cause of the cancer, the severity of the cancer, and/or the tissue or organ affected by the cancer. Those of skill in the art will know the appropriate symptoms or indicators associated with a specific type of cancer and will know how to determine if an individual is a candidate for treatment as disclosed herein.

[00321] In another aspect, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein reduces the severity of a symptom of a disorder associated with a cancer. In aspects of this embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein reduces the severity of a symptom of a disorder associated with a cancer by, e.g., at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95%. In other aspects of this embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein reduces the severity of a symptom of a disorder associated with a cancer by, e.g., about 10% to about 100%, about 20% to about 100%, about 30% to about 100%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 100%, about 60% to about 100%, about 70% to about 100%, about 80% to about 100%, about 10% to about 90%, about 20% to about 90%, about 30% to about 90%, about 40% to about 90%, about 50% to about 90%, about 60% to about 90%, about 70% to about 90%, about 10% to about 80%, about 20% to about 80%, about 30% to about 80%, about 40% to about 80%, about 50% to about 80%, or about 60% to about 80%, about 10% to about 70%, about 20% to about 70%, about 30% to about 70%, about 40% to about 70%, or about 50% to about 70%.

[00322] In aspects of this embodiment, a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein reduces a symptom associated with cancer by, e.g., at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 100%. In other aspects of this embodiment, a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein reduces a symptom associated with cancer by, e.g., at most 10%, at most 15%, at most 20%, at most 25%, at most 30%, at most 35%, at most 40%, at most 45%, at most 50%, at most 55%, at most 60%, at most 65%, at most 70%, at most 75%, at most 80%, at most 85%, at most 90%, at most 95% or at most 100%. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein reduces a symptom associated with cancer by, e.g., about 10% to about 100%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 40%, about 20% to about 100%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 80%, about 20% to about 20%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 40%, about 30% to about 100%, about 30% to about 90%, about 30% to about 80%, about 30% to about 70%, about 30% to about 60%, or about 30% to about 50%.

[00323] In yet other aspects of this embodiment, a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein generally is in the range of about 0.001 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg and administered, for example, every 3, 5, 7, 10 or 14 days. In aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may be, e.g., at least 0.001 mg/kg, at least 0.01 mg/kg, at least 0.1 mg/kg, at least 1.0 mg/kg, at least 5.0 mg/kg, at least 10 mg/kg, at least 15 mg/kg, at least 20 mg/kg, at least 25 mg/kg, at least 30 mg/kg, at least 35 mg/kg, at least 40 mg/kg, at least 45 mg/kg, or at least 50 mg/kg and administered, for example, every 3, 5, 7, 10 or 14 days. In other aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may be in the range of, e.g., about 0.001 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg, about 0.001 mg/kg/day to about 15 mg/kg, about 0.001 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg, about 0.001 mg/kg to about 25 mg/kg, about 0.001 mg/kg to about 30 mg/kg, about 0.001 mg/kg to about 35 mg/kg, about 0.001 mg/kg to about 40 mg/kg, about 0.001 mg/kg to about 45 mg/kg, about 0.001 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg, about 0.001 mg/kg to about 75 mg/kg, or about 0.001 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg and administered, for example, every 3, 5, 7, 10 or 14 days. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may be in the range of, e.g., about 0.01 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg, about 0.01 mg/kg to about 15 mg/kg, about 0.01 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg, about 0.01 mg/kg to about 25 mg/kg, about 0.01 mg/kg to about 30 mg/kg, about 0.01 mg/kg to about 35 mg/kg, about 0.01 mg/kg to about 40 mg/kg, about 0.01 mg/kg to about 45 mg/kg, about 0.01 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg, about 0.01 mg/kg to about 75 mg/kg, or about 0.01 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg and administered, for example, every 3, 5, 7, 10 or 14 days. In still other aspects of this embodiment, an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may be in the range of, e.g., about 0.1 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg, about 0.1 mg/kg to about 15 mg/kg, about 0.1 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg, about 0.1 mg/kg to about 25 mg/kg, about 0.1 mg/kg to about 30 mg/kg, about 0.1 mg/kg to about 35 mg/kg, about 0.1 mg/kg to about 40 mg/kg, about 0.1 mg/kg to about 45 mg/kg, about 0.1 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg, about 0.1 mg/kg to about 75 mg/kg, or about 0.1 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg and administered, for example, every 3, 5, 7, 10 or 14 days.

[00324] Dosing can be single dosage or cumulative (serial dosing), and can be readily determined by one skilled in the art. For instance, treatment of a cancer may comprise a one-time administration of an effective dose of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein. Alternatively, treatment of a cancer may comprise multiple administrations of an effective dose of a pharmaceutical composition carried out over a range of time periods, such as, e.g., once daily, twice daily, trice daily, once every few days, or once weekly. The timing of administration can vary from individual to individual, depending upon such factors as the severity of an individual's symptoms. For example, an effective dose of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein can be administered to an individual once daily for an indefinite period of time, or until the individual no longer requires therapy. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the condition of the individual can be monitored throughout the course of treatment and that the effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein that is administered can be adjusted accordingly.

[00325] In one embodiment, a cancer therapeutic disclosed herein is capable of reducing the number of cancer cells or tumor size in an individual suffering from a cancer by, e.g., at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% as compared to a patient not receiving the same treatment. In other aspects of this embodiment, a cancer therapeutic is capable of reducing the number of cancer cells or tumor size in an individual suffering from a cancer by, e.g., about 10% to about 100%, about 20% to about 100%, about 30% to about 100%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 100%, about 60% to about 100%, about 70% to about 100%, about 80% to about 100%, about 10% to about 90%, about 20% to about 90%, about 30% to about 90%, about 40% to about 90%, about 50% to about 90%, about 60% to about 90%, about 70% to about 90%, about 10% to about 80%, about 20% to about 80%, about 30% to about 80%, about 40% to about 80%, about 50% to about 80%, or about 60% to about 80%, about 10% to about 70%, about 20% to about 70%, about 30% to about 70%, about 40% to about 70%, or about 50% to about 70% as compared to a patient not receiving the same treatment.

[00326] In a further embodiment, a cancer therapeutic and its derivatives have half-lives of 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, 11 hours, 12 hours, 13 hours, 14 hours, 15 hours, 16 hours, 17 hours, 18 hours, 19 hours, 20 hours,

21 hours, 22 hours, 23 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, one month, two months, three months, four months or more.

[00327] In an embodiment, the period of administration of a cancer therapeutic is for 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, 11 days, 12 days, 13 days, 14 days, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks,

10 weeks, 11 weeks, 12 weeks, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, 7 months, 8 months, 9 months, 10 months, 11 months, 12 months, or more. In a further embodiment, a period of during which administration is stopped is for 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, 11 days, 12 days, 13 days, 14 days, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, 10 weeks, 11 weeks, 12 weeks, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, 7 months, 8 months, 9 months, 10 months, 11 months, 12 months, or more.

[00328] In aspects of this embodiment, a therapeutically effective amount of a cancer therapeutic disclosed herein reduces or maintains a cancer cell population and/or tumor cell size in an individual by, e.g., at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 100%. In other aspects of this embodiment, a therapeutically effective amount of a cancer therapeutic disclosed herein reduces or maintains a cancer cell population and/or tumor cell size in an individual by, e.g., at most 10%, at most 15%, at most 20%, at most 25%, at most 30%, at most 35%, at most 40%, at most 45%, at most 50%, at most 55%, at most 60%, at most 65%, at most 70%, at most 75%, at most 80%, at most 85%, at most 90%, at most 95% or at most 100%. In yet other aspects of this embodiment, a therapeutically effective amount of a cancer therapeutic disclosed herein reduces or maintains a cancer cell population and/or tumor cell size in an individual by, e.g., about 10% to about 100%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 40%, about 20% to about 100%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 80%, about 20% to about 20%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 40%, about 30% to about 100%, about 30% to about 90%, about 30% to about 80%, about 30% to about 70%, about 30% to about 60%, or about 30% to about 50%.

[00329] A pharmaceutical composition or cancer therapeutic is administered to an individual. An individual is typically a human being, but can be an animal, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, birds, cattle, horses, sheep, goats, reptiles and other animals, whether domesticated or not. Typically, any individual who is a candidate for treatment is a candidate with some form of cancer, whether the cancer is benign or malignant, a tumor, solid or otherwise, a cancer call not located in a tumor or some other form of cancer. Among the most common types of cancer include, but are not limited to, bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon and rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, renal cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer and thyroid cancer. Pre-operative evaluation typically includes routine history and physical examination in addition to thorough informed consent disclosing all relevant risks and benefits of the procedure.

[00330] In one aspect, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein reduces a symptom of a disorder associated with a cancer. In aspects of this embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein reduces a symptom of a disorder associated with a cancer by, e.g., at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95%. In other aspects of this embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein reduces a symptom of a disorder associated with a cancer by, e.g., about 10% to about 100%, about 20% to about 100%, about 30% to about 100%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 100%, about 60% to about 100%, about 70% to about 100%, about 80% to about 100%, about 10% to about 90%, about 20% to about 90%, about 30% to about 90%, about 40% to about 90%, about 50% to about 90%, about 60% to about 90%, about 70% to about 90%, about 10% to about 80%, about 20% to about 80%, about 30% to about 80%, about 40% to about 80%, about 50% to about 80%, or about 60% to about 80%, about 10% to about 70%, about 20% to about 70%, about 30% to about 70%, about 40% to about 70%, or about 50% to about 70%.

[00331] In another aspect, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein reduces the frequency of a symptom of a disorder associated with a cancer incurred over a given time period. In aspects of this embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein reduces the frequency of a symptom of a disorder associated with a cancer incurred over a given time period by, e.g., at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95%. In other aspects of this embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein reduces the frequency of a symptom of a disorder associated with a cancer incurred over a given time period by, e.g., about 10% to about 100%, about 20% to about 100%, about 30% to about 100%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 100%, about 60% to about 100%, about 70% to about 100%, about 80% to about 100%, about 10% to about 90%, about 20% to about 90%, about 30% to about 90%, about 40% to about 90%, about 50% to about 90%, about 60% to about 90%, about 70% to about 90%, about 10% to about 80%, about 20% to about 80%, about 30% to about 80%, about 40% to about 80%, about 50% to about 80%, or about 60% to about 80%, about 10% to about 70%, about 20% to about 70%, about 30% to about 70%, about 40% to about 70%, or about 50% to about 70%.

Table 1 - DLL3 HC and LC Pairs

Table 2 - DLL3-CD3

Table 3 - DLL3-CD28

Table 4 - DLL4-41 BB

Table 5 - MUC17 VH and VL pairs

Table 6 - MUC17 VH x CD3

Table 7 - MUC17 x CD28

Table 8 - MUC17 x 41BB

Table 9 - CLDN VH and HL pairs Table 10 - CLDN x CD3

Table 11 - CLDN x CD28

Table 12-CLDN x41BB

EXAMPLES

[00332] The compositions and methods described herein will be further understood by reference to the following examples, which are intended to be purely exemplary. The compositions and methods described herein are not limited in scope by the exemplified embodiments, which are intended as illustrations of single aspects only. Any methods that are functionally equivalent are within the scope of the invention. Various modifications of the compositions and methods described herein in addition to those expressly described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying figures. Such modifications fall within the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Humanized anti-DLL3 antibodies binding to human and cynomolgus DLL3 expressing CHO cells [00333] To evaluate the ability of anti-DLL3 antibodies to bind, human serial dilutions of the anti-DLL3 antibodies were added to CHO-K1 cells (20,000 cells/well) over-expressing human or cyno DLL3. The mixtures were incubated at 4°C for 20 minutes, washed 3 times, and stained with the secondary antibody, PE labeled F(ab’)2-Goat anti-human IgG Fc (Thermo H10104) at 4°C for 20 minutes. Cells were washed and resuspended in 7-Amino- Actinomycin D (7-AAD) solution and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin solution for 15 minutes before analysis with the iQue Intellicyt system. FIG. 3A is a graph of the concentration (nM) versus the mean fluorescence intensity.

[00334] Four humanized antibodies were used in this example (DLL3.1 , DLL3.2, DLL3.3, DLL3.4). The experiment was repeated with cyno DLL3 expressing CHO cells. FIG. 3B is also a graph of the concentration (nM) versus the mean fluorescence intensity.

EXAMPLE 2

Anti-DLL3scfv-Fc binding to huDLL3 expressing CHO cells

[00335] The experiment was repeated to evaluate the ability of anti-DLL3scfv-Fc antibody fragment to bind human DLL3. FIG. 4 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the molecules versus the mean fluorescence intensity for binding to the cells. Six antibody fragments were used in this example (DLL3.1 VH-VL, DLL3.2 VH-VL, DLL3.3 VH-VL,

DLL3.4 VH-VL, DLL3.1 VL-VH and DLL3.4 VL-VH). All of the molecules bind DLL3 expressing cells in the scfv-Fc format.

EXAMPLE 3

DLL3Fab-Fc x CD3scfv-Fc mediated killing of DLL3 expressing CHO cells by human PBMC cells

[00336] Cell death or cytotoxicity was evaluated by the quantification by plasma membrane damage by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released from damaged cells. Cells were collected (adherent and suspension) and re-suspended with assay medium (e.g., medium containing 10% serum). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and target cells, in an effector to target ratio of 10:1 , were applied to a 96-well plate and cultured in 200μI assay medium containing the antibody formulation in triplicate wells. The cells were placed in an incubator (5 % C0 ₂ , 90 % humidity, 37°C). The cells were then centrifuged at 250 x g for 10 min. 100μI supernatant plus 100μI LDH assay reagent were transferred into corresponding wells of an optically clear 96-well plate and incubated for up to 30 min at room temperature. The absorbance of all samples was measured at 490-500 nm using a microtiter plate reader.

[00337] Cytotoxicity of CHO cells expressing DLL3 was measured by the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). FIG. 5 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the molecules versus the percent of maximum killing of the DLL3-CHO cells by the PBMCs. It demonstrates the DLL3 x CD3 bispecific molecules 3D1C, 3D4C, 3D7C, 3D22C and 3D32C are able to stimulate the killing of the DLL3-CHO cells by human PBMC cells.

EXAMPLE 4

DLL3 Fab-Fc x CD3scfv-Fc mediated activation of human T-cells in the presence of DLL3 expressing CHO cells

[00338] T cell activation in the presence of CHO cells expressing DLL3 or NCI-H82 tumor cells and the DLL3 x CD3 bispecific molecules was measured by the increase in cell surface CD25. Cells were collected from the cultures described in Example 3, washed 1x with PBS buffer containing BSA, and co-stained with anti-CD3 and anti-CD25 antibodies for 30 minutes. Cells were then washed 1x with PBS-BSA buffer and analyzed using a flow cytometer. FIG. 6 is a graph of the concentration (nM) versus the CD25 Mean Fluorescence Intensity (MFI) of the CD3 positive population showing DLL3 x CD3 bispecific molecules 3D1C, 3D4C, 3D7C, 3D22C and 3D32C activate T cells when in the presence of CHO cells expressing DLL3.

EXAMPLE 5

DLL3scfv-CD3scfv-Fc x Fc mediated killing of DLL3 expressing CHO cells by human T cells

[00339] Cytotoxicity of CHO cells expressing DLL3 was measured by the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as described in Example 3. FIG. 7 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the molecules versus the percent of maximum killing of the DLL3-CHO cells, showing bispecific molecules 3D34C, 3D36C, 3D35C and 3D37C stimulate PBMC killing of CHO cells expressing DLL3.

EXAMPLE 6

DLL3scfv-CD3scfv-Fc x Fc mediated activation of human T-cells in the presence of DLL3 expressing CHO cells [00340] T cell activation in the presence of CHO cells expressing DLL3 and the DLL3 x CD3 bispecific molecules was measured by the increase in cell surface CD25, as described in Example 4. FIG. 8 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the molecules versus the CD25 MFI showing bispecific molecules 3D34C, 3D36C, 3D35C and 3D37C stimulate T cells in the presence of CHO cells expressing DLL3

EXAMPLE 7

DLL3Fab-Fc x DLL3scfv-CD3scfv-Fc mediated killing of DLL3 expressing NCI-H82 cells by human T cells

[00341] Cytotoxicity of NCI-H82 cells expressing DLL3 was measured by the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as described in Example 3. FIG. 9A - 9C are graphs of the concentration (nM) of the molecules versus the percent of maximum killing of the NCI-H82 cells by PBMCs. FIG. 9A shows bispecific molecules 3D36-1C, 3D36-4C, 3D36-7C and 3D36-10C stimulate killing of NCI-H82 cells by PBMCs. FIG. 9B shows bispecific molecules 3D34-1C, 3D34-4C, 3D34-7C and 3D34-10C stimulate killing of NCI-H82 cells by PBMCs. FIG. 9C shows bispecific molecules 3D37-1C, 3D37-4C, 3D37-7C and 3D37-10C stimulate killing of NCI-H82 cells by PBMCs.

EXAMPLE 8

Killing of DLL3 expressing NCI-H82 cell with human PBMC cells and anti-CD3 variant molecules of DLL3Fab-Fc x CD3scfv-Fc and DLL3scfv-CD3scfv-Fc

[00342] Cytotoxicity of NCI-H82 cells expressing DLL3 was measured by the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as described in Example 3. FIG. 10A and 10B are graphs of the concentration (nM) of the molecules versus the percent of maximum killing of the NCI- H82 cells by PBMCs. FIG. 10A shows CD3 variants C, D, I and K in the 3D22 molecule configuration have similar activities. FIG. 10B shows CD3 variants C, D, I and K in the 3D36 molecule configuration have similar activities.

EXAMPLE 9

DLL3scfv-Fc x CD28Fab-Fc in combination with DLL3scfv-CD3scfv-scFc; activation of PBMC cells to express IL-2 when cultured with DLL3 expressing NCI-H82 cells

[00343] Human PBMC were cultured together with NCI-H82 cells and stimulated with 10pM of DLL3 x CD3 bispecific molecules and DLL3 x CD28 bispecific molecules, 28D1- 28D8. After 48 hours of culture, T cell activation was measured as an increase in IL-2 secreted into the medium and an increase of in cell surface CD25 on CD3+ T cells. IL-2 secretion was measured using an IL-2 ELISA. The ELISA utilized high protein-binding 96- well plates that were coated overnight with 50uL of mouse anti-human IL-2 capture antibody at a concentration of 2μg/ml. Plates were washed with PBS+0.05% Tween-20 (PBST) and blocked with 200uL PBS with 1% BSA. After washing, the coated plates were incubated for 120 minutes with 50uL of the supernatant from the PBMCTarget cell cultures stimulated with bispecific molecules. Plates were washed, and then incubated for 60 minutes with 50uL of biotinylated mouse anti-human IL-2 detection antibody at a concentration of 0.5μg/ml. Plates were washed and incubated with streptavidin-HRP for 20 minutes. After washing, captured IL-2 was quantified using 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). FIG. 11A - 11 F are graphs showing the concentration (nM) of the CD28 x DLL3 bispecific molecules versus the level of secreted IL-2, as absorbance at 650nm from the IL-2 ELISA. FIG. 11 A shows the scDLL3-CD3-Fc (aka 3DBM) bispecific does not stimulate T cells to secrete IL-2 unless the DLL3 x CD28 bispecific molecules, 28D1 , 28D2, 28D3, or 28D4, are also present. FIG. 11 B shows the scDLL3-CD3-Fc bispecific does not stimulate T cells to secrete IL-2 unless the DLL3 x CD28 bispecific molecules, 28D5, 28D6, 28D7, or 28D8, are also present. FIG. 11 C shows the DLL3-CD3 bispecific 3D36C does not stimulate T cells to secrete IL-2 unless the DLL3 x CD28 bispecific molecules, 28D1 , 28D2, 28D3, or 28D4, are also present. FIG. 11 D shows the DLL3-CD3 bispecific 3D36C does not stimulate T cells to secrete IL-2 unless the DLL3 x CD28 bispecific molecules, 28D5, 28D6, 28D7, or 28D8, are also present. FIG. 11 E shows the DLL3-CD3 bispecific 3D22C does not stimulate T cells to secrete IL-2 unless the DLL3 x CD28 bispecific molecules, 28D1 , 28D2, 28D3, or 28D4, are also present. FIG. 11 F shows the DLL3-CD3 bispecific 3D22C does not stimulate T cells to secrete IL-2 unless the DLL3 x CD28 bispecific molecules, 28D5, 28D6, 28D7, or 28D8, are also present.

EXAMPLE 10

HPLC-size exclusion chromatography analysis of HEK293 transiently expressed and Protein A purified bispecific molecules using various CD3 affinity variants

[00344] FIG. 12 is a table showing the size exclusion data from the analysis of DLL3 x CD3 bispecific molecules of the Scfv-fc x Fab-Fc configuration utilizing affinity variants of the CD3 scfv. All of the variants exhibit high percentages of the desired main peak and low levels of high molecular weight (HMW) material and low molecular weight material (LMW).

EXAMPLE 11 Killing of NCI-H82 tumor cells of PBMCs with variants of 3D22I

[00345] Cytotoxicity of NCI-H82 cells expressing DLL3 was measured by the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as described in Example 3. FIG. 13 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the molecules versus the percent of maximum killing of the NCI-H82 cells by PBMCs. The bispecific molecule 3D22I and its variants, 3D38I, 3D39I, 33D40I and 3D411, have varying levels of killing, with 3D38I and 3D39I retaining similar abilities to stimulate the killing of NCI-H82 cells by PBMCs.

EXAMPLE 12

Expression of CD25 by PBMCs when stimulated with variants of 3D22I in the presence of NC1-H82 tumor cells

[00346] The expression of CD25 by PBMCs when stimulated in the presence of NC1- H82 tumor cells was measured with variants of 3D22I. FIG. 14 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the molecules versus the CD25 MFI on CD3+ T cells from the PBMCs. 3D22I and its variants, 3D38I, 3D39I, 33D40I and 3D41I have varying levels of T cell activation as exemplified by increased of CD25 MFI, with 3D38I and 3D39I retaining similar abilities to stimulate the killing of NCI-H82 cells by PBMCs.

EXAMPLE 13

DLL3 scfv x CD3scfv x DLL3 Fab variant 3D45I more potently stimulates killing of NCI- H82 cells by PBMCs than 3D39I

[00347] FIG. 15 demonstrates the variant 3D45I potently stimulates killing of NCI-H82 cells by PBMCs. Similarly, FIG. 16 demonstrates the variant 3D45I stimulates expression of CD25 by CD3+ T cells in the presence of NCI-H82 cells.

EXAMPLE 14

CD28scfv-Fc x DLL3Fab-Fc PBMC cells to secrete IL-2 better than 3DBM alone

[00348] Bispecific molecules (CD28scfv-Fc x DLL3Fab-Fc), 28D9, 28D10, 28D11 , and 28D12, in combination with 50M of CD3-DLL3 benchmark, 3DBM, were shown to activate PBMC cells to secrete IL-2. 3DBM alone does not stimulate the secretion of IL-2. FIG. 17 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the bispecific DLL3 x CD28 molecules and IL-2 levels as determined by ELISA and shown as absorbance 650nM from the IL-2 ELISA.

EXAMPLE 15

CD28-Scfv-Fc (C50S) x DLL3-Fab-Fc variants 28D13 and 28D15, with the free cysteine in the anti-CD28 Scfv engineered out, induce IL-2 secretion by PBMCs similarly to the parental molecule, 28D10, when combined with 50pM benchmark, 3DBM in the presence of NCI-H82 cells

[00349] Bispecific molecules, 28D13 (C50G), 28D14 (C50A) and 28D15 (C50S), with the free cysteine in the anti-CD28 Scfv engineered out, induce IL-2 secretion by PBMCs similarly to the parental molecule, 28D10, when combined with 50pM benchmark, 3DBM in the presence of NCI-H82 cells. FIG. 18 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the molecules versus the Absorbance at 650nm from the IL-2 ELISA.

EXAMPLE 16

4-1 BB Fab-Fc x DLL3scfv-Fc bispecific 4D3 increases IFNgamma secretion as well as Urelumab when in combination with 50pM CD3xDLL3 T cell engager benchmark (BM) molecule

[00350] Bispecific molecule 4D3 (4-1 BB Fab-Fc x DLL3scfv-Fc) was shown to increase IFNgamma secretion when in combination with 50pM CD3xDLL3 T cell engager benchmark (BM) molecule. FIG. 19A is a graph of concentration (nM) of Urelumab versus Absorbance at 650 nm from the ELISA to measure INFgamma levels overtime in culture. FIG. 19B demonstrates bispecific molecule 4D3 stimulates the secretion of IFNgamma to similar levels over time as compared to Urelumab.

EXAMPLE 17

MUC17xCD3 Bispecific Molecules bind Muc17-CHOK1 and ASPC1 cells

[00351] Seven humanized antibodies, 1MU11A, 1MU32A, 1MU36A, 1MU16A, 1MU37A, 1MU43A, and 1MU47A, were assessed for the ability to bind to CHO-K1 cells expressing the membrane proximal fragment of MUC17.

[00352] To evaluate the ability of anti-MUC17 antibodies to bind cell expressed MUC17, serial dilutions of the anti-MUC17 antibodies were added to the MUC17 expressing CHO-K1 cells at a concentration of 20,000 cells/well. The antibodyxell mixtures were incubated at 4°C for 20 minutes, washed 3 times, and stained with the secondary antibody, PE labeled F(ab’)2-Goat anti-human IgG Fc (Thermo H10104) at 4°C for 20 minutes. Cells were washed and resuspended in 7-Amino-Actinomycin D (7-AAD) solution and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin solution for 15 minutes before analysis with the iQue Intellicyt system. FIG. 23 is a graph of the concentration (nM) versus the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of binding to MUC17-CHO cells.

[00353] The experiment was repeated with APSC1 cells, which endogenously express full length human MUC17. FIG. 24 shows a graph of the concentration (nM) versus the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) for the antibodies binding to the ASPC1 cells.

EXAMPLE 18

MUC17xCD3 bispecific molecules 3M55C, 3M46C, and 3M32C Kill Muc17 expressing CHO cells with human PBMCs

[00354] The experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of human peripheral mononuclear (PBMCs) effector cells to kill Muc17 expressing CHO target cells when stimulated by MUC17xCD3 bispecific molecules. Cell cytotoxicity was determined as the amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released from damaged cells as a percent of the total LDH release with 1% Triton-X (Max Killing) added to the cell mixtures at time 0. For the cytotoxicity assays, target (MUC17-CHO or ASPC1) and effector cells (human PBMCs) were suspended in 200ul of medium containing 10% serum at an effector to target ratio of 10:1 , in a 96-well plate. Dilutions of the bispecific molecules were added to the cultures in triplicate. The 96-well plates were cultured at 37°C for 48 hours. The cells were then centrifuged at 250 x g for 10 min, and 10OμI of the supernatant plus were transferred into corresponding wells of an optically clear 96-well plate containing 10OμI LDH assay reagent per well. The plates were then incubated for up to 30 min at room temperature. The absorbance of all samples was measured at 490-500 nm using a microtiter plate reader.

[00355] FIG. 25 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of bispecific molecules 3M32C, 3M46C, 3M55C versus the percent of maximal killing of the MUC17-CHO cells (% Max Killing) by PBMCs, showing various potencies for killing.

EXAMPLE 19

PBMC killing of ASPC1 cells with MUC17xCD3 bispecific molecules of various formats of antibody 1MU32A [00356] MUC17xCD3 bispecific molecules derived from anti-MUC17 antibody 1MU32A were assessed for their ability to stimulate PBMC cells to become activated and to kill ASPC1 cells. The three formats assessed were scfv-Fc + Fab-Fc (3M46C and 3M66C), scfv-scfv-Fc + Fab-Fc (3M64C), and scfv-scfv-Fc (3M62C). Cell killing was assessed as described in Example 18. Assessment of CD25 expression on CD3+ T cells within PBMC effector cell population was performed on the remaining cells from the cultures assessed for LDH release. The cells were collected, washed one time with PBS buffer containing 1% BSA, and stained with anti-CD3 and anti-CD25 antibodies for 30 minutes. Cells were then washed one time with PBS-BSA buffer and analyzed using a flow cytometer.

[00357] FIG. 26A is a graph of the concentration (nM) versus the percent maximum killing showing varying levels of killing by the molecules. FIG. 26B is a graph of the concentration (nM) versus the CD25 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), showing similar levels of T cell activation by the molecules of the various formats.

[00358] FIG. 26C - 26F depict constructs of the bispecific molecules. FIG. 26C depicts construct 3M46C (anti-CD3 + 1MU32A). FIG. 26D depicts construct 3M64C (anti-MUC17 + anti-CD3 + 1MU11A). FIG. 26E depicts construct 3M42C (anti-MUC17 + anti-CD3). FIG. 26F depicts construct 3M66C (anti-MUC17 + anti-CD3).

EXAMPLE 20

PBMC killing of ASPC1 cells with MUC17xCD3 bispecific molecules of various formats of antibody 1MU11A

[00359] MUC17xCD3 bispecific molecules derived from anti-MUC17 antibody 1MU11A in three formats, scfv-Fc + Fab-Fc (3M55C and 3M65C), scfv-scfv-Fc + Fab-Fc (3M63C), and scfv-scfv-Fc (3M61C), were assessed for their ability to stimulate PBMC cells to become activated and to kill ASPC1 cells as described in the above examples.

[00360] FIG. 27A is a graph of the concentration (nM) versus the percent maximum killing, showing the various formats are all able to stimulate PBMCs to kill ASPC1 cells. FIG. 27B is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the molecules versus the CD25 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) on CD3+ T cells, showing similar trends for T cell activation by the various molecules, as compared to killing.

[00361] FIG. 27C - 27F depict constructs of the bispecific molecules. FIG. 27C depicts construct 3M55C (anti-CD3 + 1MU11A). FIG. 27D depicts construct 3M63C (anti-MUC17 + anti-CD3 + 1MU32A). FIG. 27E depicts construct 3M61C (anti-MUC17 + anti-CD3). FIG. 27F depicts construct 3M65C (anti-MUC17 + anti-CD3).

EXAMPLE 21

CD28xMuc17 bispecific in combination with 10pM of MUC17xCD3 bispecific molecule 3M62C activates T-cells to express IL-2 and CD25

[00362] Human PBMC were cultured together with ASPC1 cells and stimulated with 10pM of MUC17 x CD3 bispecific 3M62C. Additionally, MUC17 x CD28 bispecific molecules 28M1 , 28M2, and 28M3 were added to the cultures. After 48 hours of culture, T cell activation was measured as an increase in IL-2 secreted into the medium and an increase of in cell surface CD25 on CD3+ T cells. IL-2 secretion was measured using an IL-2 ELISA.

The ELISA utilized high protein-binding 96-well plates that were coated overnight with 50uL of mouse anti-human IL-2 capture antibody at a concentration of 2μg/ml. Plates were washed with PBS+0.05% Tween-20 (PBST) and blocked with 200uL PBS with 1% BSA.

After washing, the coated plates were incubated for 120 minutes with 50uL of the supernatant from the PBMC:Target cell cultures stimulated with bispecific molecules. Plates were washed, and then incubated for 60 minutes with 50uL of biotinylated mouse anti- human IL-2 detection antibody at a concentration of 0.5μg/ml. Plates were washed and incubated with streptavidin-HRP for 20 minutes. After washing, captured IL-2 was quantified using 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). CD25 expression levels were measured as described in Example 3.

[00363] FIG. 28A shows IL-2 secretion as a function of the concentration (nM) of the molecules versus absorbance from the IL-2 ELISA. 3M82C weakly stimulates the secretion of IL-2 but when added to the CD28 x Muc17 bispecific molecules IL-2 secretion is significantly increased. FIG. 28B shows CD25 Expression as the concentration (nM) versus the CD25 MFI. Similarly, the combination of CD28 x Muc17 and CD3 x Mud 7 bispecific molecules activates T cells to a greater degree than the CD3 x Mud 7 bispecific alone.

[00364] FIG. 28C - 28F depict constructs of the bispecific molecules. FIG. 28C depicts construct 28M1 (anti-CD28 + 1MU37A). FIG. 28D depicts construct 28M2 (anti- CD28 + 1MU32A). FIG. 28E depicts construct 28M3 (anti-CD28 + 1MU11A). FIG. 28F depicts construct 3M62C (1MU32A + anti-CD3).

EXAMPLE 22 CD28xMuc17 bispecific molecule in combination with 20pM of MUC17xCD3 (3M55C) bispecific molecule activates T-cells to express IL-2 and CD25

[00365] Human PBMC were cultured together with ASPC1 cells and stimulated with 20pM of MUC17 x CD3 bispecific 3M55C. Additionally, MUC17 x CD28 bispecific molecules 28M1 , 28M2, and 28M3 were also added to the cultures. Activation was measured by the increase IL-2 secretion and the increase of in cell surface CD25 on CD3+ T cells, as described above in the Example 21.

[00366] FIG. 29A shows IL-2 secretion as a function of the concentration (nM) of the CD28xMuc17 bispecific molecules versus absorbance from the IL-2 ELISA. 3M55C alone does not stimulate the secretion of IL-2 but when the CD28 x Muc7 bispecific molecules, 28M1 , 28M2, 28M3, are added to the culture, IL-2 levels are significantly increased. FIG. 29B shows the combination of CD3 x MUC17 and CD28 x Muc17 bispecific molecules increase CD25 expression to a greater degree than the CD3 x Muc17 alone, as indicated in the graph as the concentration (nM) of the CD28xMUC17 bispecific molecules versus the CD25 MFI on CD3+ T cells.

[00367] FIG. 29C - 29F depict constructs of the bispecific molecules. FIG. 29C depicts construct 28M1 (anti-CD28 + 1MU37A). FIG. 28D depicts construct 28M2 (anti- CD28 + 1MU32A). FIG. 28E depicts construct 28M3 (anti-CD28 + 1MU11A). FIG. 28F depicts construct 3M55C (anti-CD3 + 1MU11A).

EXAMPLE 23

CD28xMuc17 bispecific molecules alone do not PBMC cells

[00368] The experiment was repeated to demonstrate that CD28xMuc17 bispecific molecules alone do not activate PBMC cells. Human PBMC cells, ASPC1 cells and MUC17 x CD28 bispecific molecules 28M1 , 28M2, and 28M3, were cultured for 48 hours as described above, and assessed as described in the Example 5. FIG. 30A shows IL-2 secretion as a function of the concentration (nM) of the CD28xMUC17 bispecific molecules versus absorbance from the IL-2 ELISA. FIG. 30B shows CD25 expression as the concentration (nM) of the CD28xMUC17 bispecific molecules versus the CD25 MFI on CD3+ T cells. 28M1 , 28M2, and 28M3 do not activate T cells without CD3 stimulation by the MUC17xCD3 bispecific molecule.

EXAMPLE 24 Bioactivity of multiple CD3 affinity variants: PBMC killing of ASPC1 cells expressing Muc17

[00369] FIG. 31 shows concentration versus percent maximum killing. The bispecific constructs 3M16B, 3M16C, 3M16D, 3M16E, 3M16F, 3M16G, 3M16I, 3M16K and 3M16L show varying abilities to stimulate PBMCs to kill ASPC1 cells.

EXAMPLE 25

Binding of MUC17scfv-Fc x CD3Fab-Fc constructs as compared to Muc17Fab-Fc x CD3scfv-Fc

[00370] FIG. 32 shows binding of anti-Muc17 bispecific molecules as scfv and Fab formats to Muc17 expressing cells as a graph of concentration of the bispecific molecules versus Absorbance at 650 nm. 1MU11A and 1MU32A retain activities in the scfv format.

EXAMPLE 26

CD137 Fab x Muc17 Scfv bispecific molecules 4M1 increases IFNgamma secretion by PBMC when combined with 2pM CD3xMUC17 benchmark molecule 3M8B7 and in the presence of ASPC1 cells

[00371] FIG. 33 shows concentration of 4M1 versus the level of secreted IFNgamma (absorbance at 650 nm) indicating increasing concentrations of 4M1 in combination with 2pM of the CD3 x Mud 7 molecule 3M8B7 increase the levels of IFNgamma that are secreted over time in culture.

EXAMPLE 27

CD137 Fab x Muc17 Scfv bispecific molecule 4M2 increase IFNgamma secretion by PBMC when combined with 2pM of 3M8B7 benchmark and in the presence of ASPC1 cells

[00372] FIG. 34 shows concentration of 4M2 versus IFNgamma (absorbance at 650 nm) indicating increasing concentrations of 4M2 in combination with 2pM of the CD3 x Muc17 molecule 3M8B7 increase the levels of IFNgamma that are secreted overtime in culture.

EXAMPLE 28 Muc17xCD137 bispecific 4M2 in combination with 10pM or 20pM CD3 bispecific 3M8B7 activates PBMCs to secrete IFNg in the presence of CHO cells expressing Muc17

[00373] FIG. 35 shows concentration of 4M2 versus IFNgamma (absorbance at 650 nm) indicating increasing concentrations of 4M2 in combination with 2pM of 10pM of the CD3 x Muc17 molecule 3M8B7 increase the levels of IFNgamma that are secreted over time in culture. 4M2 alone does not stimulate the secretion of IFNgamma

EXAMPLE 29

Muc17xCD137 bispecific 4M7 in combination with 10pM or 20pM CD3 bispecific 3M8B7 activates PBMCs to secrete IFNg in the presence of CHO cells expressing Muc17

[00374] FIG. 36 shows concentration of 4M7 versus the level of secreted IFNgamma (absorbance at 650 nm), indicating increasing concentrations of 4M7 in combination with 2pM and 10pM of the CD3 x Muc17 molecule 3M8B7 increase the levels of IFNgamma that are secreted overtime in culture. 4M7 alone does not stimulate the secretion of IFNgamma

EXAMPLE 29

Muc17xCD137 bispecific 4M8 in combination with 10pM or 20pM CD3 bispecific 3M8B7 activates PBMCs to secrete IFNg in the presence of CHO cells expressing Muc17

[00375] FIG. 37 shows concentration versus IFNg (absorbance at 650 nm) indicating increasing concentrations of 4M8 in combination with 2pM and 10pM of the CD3 x Mud 7 molecule 3M8B7 increase the levels of IFNgamma that are secreted overtime in culture. 4M8 alone does not stimulate the secretion of IFNgamma.

EXAMPLE 30

CLDN18.2xCD3 Bispecific molecules bind to CHO cells expressing huCLND18.2

[00376] Six humanized antibodies, formatted as CD3 x CLDN18.2 bispecific molecules, 3C17C, 3C18C, 3C22C, 3C26C, 3C27C, 3C29C, were assessed for the ability to bind to CHO-K1 cells that were stably transfected with human CLDN18.2. [00377] To evaluate the ability of anti-CLDN18.2 bispecific molecules to bind cell- expressed CLDN18.2, serial dilutions of the anti-CLDN18.2 bispecific molecules were added to the CLDN18.2 expressing CHO-K1 cells at a concentration of 20,000 cells/well. The bispecific moleculesxell mixtures were incubated at 4°C for 20 minutes, washed 3 times, and stained with the secondary antibody, PE labeled F(ab’)2-Goat anti-human IgG Fc (Thermo H 10104) at 4°C for 20 minutes. Cells were washed and resuspended in 7-Amino- Actinomycin D (7-AAD) solution and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin solution for 15 minutes before analysis with the iQue Intellicyt system. FIG. 42 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the bispecific molecules versus the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of binding to CLDN18.2-CHO cells, showing all of the bispecific molecules bind human CLDN18.2.

EXAMPLE 31

T cell activation and upregulation of CD25 by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules in the presence of CLDN18.2 expressing CHO cells

[00378] The experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules to activate and upregulate CD25 on T-cells.

[00379] Target and effector cells were suspended in 200μI of medium containing 10% serum at an effector to target ratio of 10:1 , in a 96-well plate. Dilutions of the bispecific molecules were added to the cultures in triplicate. The 96-well plates were cultured at 37°C for 48 hours. The cells were collected, washed one time with PBS buffer containing 1% BSA, and stained with anti-CD3 and anti-CD25 antibodies for 30 minutes. Cells were then washed one time with PBS-BSA buffer and analyzed using a flow cytometer. FIG. 43A is a graph of the concentration (nM) of bispecific molecules 3C18C, 3C22C, 3C26C and 3C27C versus the CD25 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), showing all of the CD3 x CDLN18.2 bispecific molecules can activate T cells to increase the expression of CD25.

EXAMPLE 32

PBMC killing of CHO cells with CLDN18.2xCD3 bispecific molecules

[00380] CLDN18.2xCD3 bispecific molecules were assessed for their ability to stimulate PBMC cells to to kill CLDN18.2 expressing CHO cells. The molecules tested were 3C18C, 3C22C, 3C26C and 3C27C. Cell cytotoxicity was determined as the amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released from damaged cells as a percent of the total LDH release with 1% Triton-X (Max Killing) added to the cell mixtures at time 0. For the cytotoxicity assays, target (CLDN-CHO) and effector cells (human PBMCs) were suspended in 200μI of medium containing 10% serum at an effector to target ratio of 10:1 , in a 96-well plate. Dilutions of the bispecific molecules were added to the cultures in triplicate. The 96- well plates were cultured at 37°C for 48 hours. The cells were then centrifuged at 250 x g for 10 min, and 100μI of the supernatant plus were transferred into corresponding wells of an optically clear 96-well plate containing 100μI LDH assay reagent per well. The plates were then incubated for up to 30 min at room temperature. The absorbance of all samples was measured at 490-500 nm using a microtiter plate reader. FIG. 43B is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the bispecific molecules versus the percent maximum killing, showing all of the CLDN18.2 x CD3 bispecific molecules can stimulate PBMCs to kill CHO cells expressing CLDN18.2.

EXAMPLE 33

T cell activation and upregulation of CD25 by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules with CD3 affinity variant in the presence of CLDN18.2 expressing SNU-601 cells

[00381] The experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules to activate and upregulate T-cells. Assessment of CD25 expression on CD3+ T cells within PBMC effector cell population was performed on the remaining cells from the cultures assessed for LDH release for Example 3. The cells were collected, washed one time with PBS buffer containing 1% BSA, and stained with anti-CD3 and anti-CD25 antibodies for 30 minutes. Cells were then washed one time with PBS-BSA buffer and analyzed using a flow cytometer. FIG. 44A is a graph of the concentration (nM) of bispecific molecules 3C18C, 3C18D, 3C18I and 3C18K versus the CD25 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), showing all four 3D18 variants exhibit similar abilities to stimulate T cells to increase expression of CD25.

EXAMPLE 34

Killing of SNU-601 tumor cells by huPBMCs stimulated by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules with CD3 affinity variants

[00382] CLDN18.2xCD3 bispecific molecules were assessed for their ability to stimulate PBMC cells to become activated and to kill SNU-601 tumor cells. The molecules tested were 3C18C, 3C18D, 3C18I and 3C18K.

[00383] Cell cytotoxicity was determined as the amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released from damaged cells as a percent of the total LDH release with 1% Triton-X (Max Killing) added to the cell mixtures at time 0, as described in Example 3. FIG. 44B is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the bispecific molecule variants versus the percent maximum killing, showing all four 3D18 variants exhibit similar abilities to stimulate PBMCs to kill SNU- 601 cells.

EXAMPLE 35

T cell activation and upregulation of CD25 by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules with CD3 affinity variants in the presence of CLDN18.2 expressing SNU-601 cells

[00384] The experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules to activate and upregulate CD25 on T-cells. The laboratory method is that described in the Example 4. FIG. 45A shows CD25 expression as the concentration (nM) of the bispecific molecule variants versus the CD25 MFI on CD3+ T cells, showing all four of the 3D22 variants are similarly able to stimulate T cells to increase expression of CD25.

EXAMPLE 36

Killing of SNU-601 tumor cells by huPBMCs stimulated by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecule with CD3 affinity variants

[00385] CLDN18.2xCD3 bispecific molecules were assessed for their ability to stimulate PBMC cells to become activated and to kill SNU-601 tumor cells. The molecules tested were 3C22C, 3C22D, 3C22I and 3C22K.

[00386] Cell cytotoxicity was determined as the amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released from damaged cells as a percent of the total LDH release with 1% Triton-X (Max Killing) added to the cell mixtures at time 0 as described in Example 32. FIG. 45B is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the bispecific molecule variants versus the percent maximum killing, showing all four of the 3C22 variants have similar abilities to stimulate PBMCs to kill SNU-601 cells.

EXAMPLE 37

T cell activation and upregulation of CD25 by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules with CD3 affinity variants in the presence of CLDN18.2 expressing SNU-601 cells

[00387] The experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecifics to activate and upregulate CD25 on T-cells. The molecules tested were 3C26C, 3C26D, 3C26I and 3C26K. The laboratory method is that described in the Example 33.

FIG. 46A shows CD25 expression as the concentration (nM) of the bispecific molecule variants versus the CD25 MFI, showing al four 3C26 variants have similar abilities to stimulate T cells to express CD25.

EXAMPLE 38

Killing of SNU-601 tumor cells by huPBMCs stimulated by CLDN18.2x CD3 bispecific molecules with CD3 affinity variants

[00388] CLDN18.2xCD3 bispecific molecules were assessed for their ability to stimulate PBMC cells to become activated and to kill SNU-601 tumor cells. The molecules tested were 3C26C, 3C26D, 3C26I and 3C26K.

[00389] Cell cytotoxicity was determined as the amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released from damaged cells as a percent of the total LDH release with 1% Triton-X (Max Killing) added to the cell mixtures at time 0 as described in Example 32. FIG. 46B is a graph of the concentration (nM) bispecific molecule variants versus the percent maximum killing, showing all four 3C26 variants are similarly able to stimulate PBMCs to kill SNU-601 cells.

EXAMPLE 39

CD3xCldn18.2 binding to Cldn18.2-CHO cells

[00390] CD3xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules were assessed for their ability to bind to CHO cells expressing Cldn18.2. The molecules tested were 3C17C, 3C18C, 3C22C,

3C26C, 3C27C and 3C29C.

[00391] FIG. 47 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the CD3cDLND18.2 bispecific molecules versus mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of binding, showing all six bispecific molecules are able to bind CHO cells expressing CLDN18.2.

EXAMPLE 40

CD28xCLND18.2 bispecific molecules in combination with 10pM of CLND18.2xCD3 bispecific molecule 3C18C activate T-cells to express IL-2 and CD25

[00392] Human PBMC were cultured together with SNU-601 cells and stimulated with 10pM of CLND18.2 x CD3 bispecific 3C18C. Additionally, CLDN18.2 x CD28 bispecifics, 28C5, 28C6, 28C7, and 28C8, were added to the cultures. After 48 hours of culture, T cell activation was measured as an increase in IL-2 secreted into the medium and an increase of in cell surface CD25 on CD3+ T cells. IL-2 secretion was measured using an IL-2 ELISA. The ELISA utilized high protein-binding 96-well plates that were coated overnight with 50μL of mouse anti-human IL-2 capture antibody at a concentration of 2ug/ml. Plates were washed with PBS+0.05% Tween-20 (PBST) and blocked with 200μL PBS with 1% BSA.

After washing, the coated plates were incubated for 120 minutes with 50μL of the supernatant from the PBMCTarget cell cultures stimulated with bispecific molecules. Plates were washed, and then incubated for 60 minutes with 50μL of biotinylated mouse anti- human IL-2 detection antibody at a concentration of 0.5μg/ml. Plates were washed and incubated with streptavidin-HRP for 20 minutes. After washing, captured IL-2 was quantified using 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). CD25 expression levels were measured as described in Example 33. FIG. 48A shows CD25 MFI as a function of the concentration (nM) versus absorbance, indicating the addition of the CD28 x CDLN18.2 bispecific molecule to 3C18C increased T cells activity and the expression of CD25. Similarly, FIG. 48B shows the amount of IL-2 secreted into the culture as the concentration (nM) with increasing concentrations of the CD28 x CLDN18.2 bispecific molecules, indicating the addition of the CD28 x CLDN18.2 bispecific molecules to 3C18C increased the secretion of IL-2.

EXAMPLE 41

CD28xCLND18.2 bispecific molecules in combination with 10pM of CLND18.2xCD3 bispecific molecule 3C22C activate T-cells to express IL-2 and CD25

[00393] Human PBMC were cultured together with SNU-601 cells and stimulated with 10pM of CLND18.2 x CD3 bispecific 3C22C. Additionally, CLDN18.2 x CD28 bispecifics, 28C5, 28C6, 28C7, and 28C8, were added to the cultures. After 48 hours of culture, T cell activation was measured as an increase in IL-2 secreted into the medium and an increase of in cell surface CD25 on CD3+ T cells. IL-2 secretion was measured using an IL-2 ELISA. The ELISA utilized high protein-binding 96-well plates that were coated overnight with 50μL of mouse anti-human IL-2 capture antibody at a concentration of 2μg/ml. Plates were washed with PBS+0.05% Tween-20 (PBST) and blocked with 200μL PBS with 1% BSA.

After washing, the coated plates were incubated for 120 minutes with 50μL of the supernatant from the PBMCTarget cell cultures stimulated with bispecific molecules. Plates were washed, and then incubated for 60 minutes with 50μL of biotinylated mouse anti- human IL-2 detection antibody at a concentration of 0.5μg/ml. Plates were washed and incubated with streptavidin-HRP for 20 minutes. After washing, captured IL-2 was quantified using 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). CD25 expression levels were measured as described in Example 33. FIG. 49A shows CD25 Expression as the concentration (nM), indicating the addition of the CD28 x CLDN18.2 bispecific molecules to 3C22C stimulated T cells to express CD25. FIG. 49B shows IL-2 secretion as a function of the concentration (nM) of the CD28xCLND18.2 bispecific molecules versus absorbance from the IL-2 ELISA, showing the addition of the CD28 x CDLN18.2 bispecific molecules to 3C22C stimulated PBMCs to secrete IL-2.

EXAMPLE 42

CD28xCLND18.2 bispecific molecules in combination with 20pM of CLND18.2xCD3 bispecific molecule 3C26C activates T-cells to express IL-2 and CD25

[00394] Human PBMC were cultured together with SNU-601 cells and stimulated with 20pM of CLND18.2 x CD3 bispecific 3C26C. Additionally, CLDN18.2 x CD28 bispecifics, 28C5, 28C6, 28C7, and 28C8, were added to the cultures. After 48 hours of culture, T cell activation was measured as an increase in IL-2 secreted into the medium and an increase of in cell surface CD25 on CD3+ T cells. IL-2 secretion was measured using an IL-2 ELISA.

The ELISA utilized high protein-binding 96-well plates that were coated overnight with 50μL of mouse anti-human IL-2 capture antibody at a concentration of 2ug/ml. Plates were washed with PBS+0.05% Tween-20 (PBST) and blocked with 200μL PBS with 1% BSA. After washing, the coated plates were incubated for 120 minutes with 50μL of the supernatant from the PBMC arget cell cultures stimulated with bispecific molecules. Plates were washed, and then incubated for 60 minutes with 50μL of biotinylated mouse anti- human IL-2 detection antibody at a concentration of 0.5μg/ml. Plates were washed and incubated with streptavidin-HRP for 20 minutes. After washing, captured IL-2 was quantified using 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). CD25 expression levels were measured as described in Example 33. FIG. 50A shows CD25 Expression as the concentration (nM) versus the CD25 MFI, indicating the addition of the CD28 x CLDN18.2 bispecific molecules to 3C26C increased T cell activation and the expression of CD25. FIG. 50B shows the levels of IL-2 secreted, as determine by absorbance readings from the IL-2 ELISA, versus the concentration (nM) of the CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules, indicating the addition of the CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules to 3C26C increases the secretion of IL-2 by PBMCs.

EXAMPLE 43

CD28xCLND18.2 bispecific in combination with 2pM of CLND18.2xCD3 bispecific molecule 3C27C activates T-cells to express IL-2 and CD25

[00395] Human PBMC were cultured together with SNU-601 cells and stimulated with 2pM of CLND18.2 x CD3 bispecific 3C27C. Additionally, CLDN18.2 x CD28 bispecific molecules, 28C5, 28C6, 28C7, and 28C8, were added to the cultures. After 48 hours of culture, T cell activation was measured as an increase in IL-2 secreted into the medium and an increase of in cell surface CD25 on CD3+ T cells. IL-2 secretion was measured using an IL-2 ELISA. The ELISA utilized high protein-binding 96-well plates that were coated overnight with 50μL of mouse anti-human IL-2 capture antibody at a concentration of 2ug/ml. Plates were washed with PBS+0.05% Tween-20 (PBST) and blocked with 200μL PBS with 1% BSA. After washing, the coated plates were incubated for 120 minutes with 50μL of the supernatant from the PBMC arget cell cultures stimulated with bispecific molecules. Plates were washed, and then incubated for 60 minutes with 50μL of biotinylated mouse anti- human IL-2 detection antibody at a concentration of 0.5μg/ml. Plates were washed and incubated with streptavidin-HRP for 20 minutes. After washing, captured IL-2 was quantified using 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). CD25 expression levels were measured as described in Example 33. FIG. 51 A shows CD25 expression as the concentration (nM) of the CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific versus the CD25 MFI on CD3+ T cells, indicating the addition of the CD28xCDLN18.2 bispecific molecules to 3C27C increases T cell activation and the expression of CD25. FIG. 51 B shows the levels of IL-2 secreted, as determine by absorbance readings from the IL-2 ELISA, versus the concentration (nM) of the molecules of the CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules, indicating the addition of the CD28 x CDLN18.2 bispecific molecules to 3C27C stimulates PBMCs to secrete IL-2.

EXAMPLE 44

CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules alone do not activate T-cells

[00396] The experiment was repeated to demonstrate that CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules alone do not activate T-cells. Human PBMC cells, SNU-601 cells and CLDN18.2 x CD28 bispecific molecules 28C5, 28C6, 28C7, and 28C8, were cultured for 48 hours as described above, and assessed as described in the Example 40. FIG. 52A shows CD25 expression as the concentration (nM) of the CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules versus the CD25 MFI on CD3+ T cells, indicating the CD28 x CLDN18.2 bispecific molecules do not activate T cells without the CD3 x CLND18.2 molecules being present. FIG. 52B shows the levels of IL-2 secreted, as determine by absorbance readings from the IL-2 ELISA, versus the concentration (nM) of the CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules, indicating the CD28 x CLDN18.2 bispecific molecules do not stimulate PBMCs to secrete IL-2 without the CD3 x CLND18.2 molecules being present.

EXAMPLE 45

CD3xCldn18.2 bites alone activate PBMCs to express CD25 but to secrete only low levels of IL-2 [00397] FIG. 53A is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules versus mean CD25 fluorescence intensity (MFI) on CD3+ T cells for the four CD3 x CDLN18.2 bispecific molecules, showing they stimulate the expression of CD25 by T cells. FIG. 53B is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules versus CD25 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) on CD3+ T cells, showing that in the absence of the CD28 x CLND18.2 bispecific molecules, the four CD3 x CDLN18.2 bispecific molecules only stimulate low levels of IL-2 secretion.

EXAMPLE 46

CD3xCldn18.2 bispecific 3C22C stimulates PBMC mediated killing of GSU cells more potently than 3 lots of the benchmark CD3 x CDLN18.2 molecule, 3CBM

[00398] FIG. 54 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the CD3xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules versus percent maximum killing of the GSU target cells by the PBMCs.

EXAMPLE 47

CD3xCldn18.2 bispecific 3C22C stimulates PBMC to express CD25 in the presence of GSU cells more potently than 3 lots of the benchmark, 3CBM

[00399] FIG. 55 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the CD3xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules versus CD25 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) on CD3+ T cells.

EXAMPLE 48

3C27I is more potent at killing SNU-601 cells than 3C18I, 3C22I, or 3C26I

[00400] FIG. 56 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the CD3xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules versus percent killing of SNU-601 target cells by the PBMCs.

EXAMPLE 49

CD28scFvxCldn18.2Fab T cell engagers, 28C1, 28C2, 28C3, and 28C4 in combination with 10pM CD3xCldn18.2 bispecific, 3C18C, activate PBMCS to produce IL-2 when co- cultured with SNU-601 cells

[00401] FIG. 57 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules versus absorbance at 650 nm from the IL-2 ELISA, showing the addition of the CD28 x CLDN18.2 bispecific molecules to 3C18C increases the secretion of IL-2 by PBMCs.

EXAMPLE 50 CD28-scFvxCldn18.2-Fab T cell engagers, 28C1, 28C2, 28C3, and 28C4 in combination with 10pM CD3xCldn18.2 bispecific, 3C22C, activate PBMCS to produce IL-2 when co- cultured with SNU-601 cells

[00402] FIG. 58 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules versus absorbance at 650 nm from the IL-2 ELISA, showing the addition of the CD28 x CLDN18.2 bispecific molecules to 3C22C increases the secretion of IL-2 by PBMCs.

EXAMPLE 51

CD28-scFvxCldn18.2-Fab T cell engagers, 28C1, 28C2, 28C3, and 28C4 in combination with 10pM CD3xCldn18.2 Bispecific, 3C26C, activate PBMCS to produce IL-2 when co- cultured with SNU-601

[00403] FIG. 59 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules versus absorbance at 650 nm from the IL-2 ELISA, showing the addition of the CD28 x CLDN18.2 bispecific molecules to 3C26C increases the secretion of IL-2 by PBMCs.

EXAMPLE 52

CD28-scFvxCldn18.2-Fab T cell engagers, 28C1, 28C2, 28C3, and 28C4 alone do not activate PBMCS to produce IL-2 when co-cultured with SNU-601 cells

[00404] FIG. 60 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules versus CD25 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) on CD3+ T cells.

EXAMPLE 53

Cldn18.2xCD28 bispecific molecules 28C7 and 28C10 in combination with 5pM of the CD3 x CLDN18.2 bispecific 3C22I activates T-cells to secrete IL-2

[00405] FIG. 61 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules versus the concentration of secreted IL-2 (pg/mL), as determined by the IL-2 ELISA.

EXAMPLE 54

CLDIN18.2 x CD28 bispecific molecules 28C5, 28C6, 28C7 and 28C8 in combination with a CLND18.3 x CD3 bispecific molecule induced IL-2 secretion by PBMCs when in the presence of CHO cells expressing CLDN18.2 but not with parental CHO cells

[00406] FIG. 62 is a graph of the concentration (nM) of the CD28xCLDN18.2 bispecific molecules versus concentration of secreted IL-2 (pg/mL), as determined by the IL-2 ELISA.

EXAMPLE 55

CD137 x Cldn18.2 bispecific molecule 4C1 in combination with 10pM of the CD3 x CLDN18.2 bispecific molecule 3C18C increase IFNgamma secretion over 3C18 by PBMCs when in the presence of SNU-601 cells

[00407] FIG. 63 is a graph of the fold increase in IFNgamma over unstimulated versus the concentration of the CD137 x CLDN18.2 specific molecules over time.

EXAMPLE 56

CD137 x Cldn18.2 bispecific molecule4C2 in combination with 10pM of the CD3 x CDLN18.2 bispecific 3C18C increase IFNgamma secretion over 3C18 by PBMCs when in the presence of SNU-601 cells

[00408] FIG. 64 is a graph of the fold increase in IFNgamma over unstimulated versus the concentration of the CD137 x CLDN18.2 specific molecules over time.

EXAMPLE 57

CD137xCldn18.2 bispecific molecule4C6 in combination with 3C22I activate T-cells to secrete IFNgamma

[00409] FIG. 65 is a graph of fold increase in IFNgamma over unstimulated versus the concentration of the CD137 x CLDN18.2 specific molecules overtime.

EXAMPLE 58

CD137xCldn18.2 bispecific molecule 4C5 in combination with 3C22I activate T-cells to secrete IFNgamma

[00410] FIG. 66 is a graph of the fold increase in IFNgamma over unstimulated versus the concentration of the CD137 x CLDN18.2 specific molecules over time. EXAMPLE 59

CD137xCldn18.2 bispecific molecules 4C1 and 4C5 in combination with 80pM 3C27I increase the number of CD8 cells in the presence of mitomycin treated CHO cells expressing CLND18.2

[00411] FIG. 66 is a graph of the CD8+ cell counts as a fold increase over the number of CD8+ cells when stimulated with 3C27I alone versus the concentration of the CD137 x CDLN18.2 bispecific molecules.

[00412] The therapeutic method of the present specification may include the step of administering the composition including the antibody at a pharmaceutically effective amount. The total daily dose should be determined through appropriate medical judgment by a physician, and administered once or several times. The specific therapeutically effective dose level for any particular patient may vary depending on various factors well known in the medical art, including the kind and degree of the response to be achieved, concrete compositions according to whether other agents are used therewith or not, the patient’s age, body weight, health condition, gender, and diet, the time and route of administration, the secretion rate of the composition, the time period of therapy, other drugs used in combination or coincident with the composition disclosed herein, and like factors well known in the medical arts.

[00413] In still another aspect, the present specification provides a use of the therapeutic protein or the pharmaceutical composition including the same in the preparation of drugs for the prevention or treatment of cancer, a neurodegenerative or an infectious disease.

[00414] In one embodiment, the dose of the composition may be administered daily, semi-weekly, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. The period of treatment may be for a week, two weeks, a month, two months, four months, six months, eight months, a year, or longer. The initial dose may be larger than a sustaining dose. In one embodiment, the dose ranges from a weekly dose of at least 0.01 mg/kg, at least 0.25 mg/kg, at least 0.3 mg/kg, at least 0.5 mg/kg, at least 0.75 mg/kg, at least 1 mg/kg, at least 2 mg/kg, at least 3 mg/kg, at least 4 mg/kg, at least 5 mg/kg, at least 6 mg/kg, at least 7 mg/kg, at least 8 mg/kg, at least 9 mg/kg, at least 10 mg/kg, at least 15 mg/kg, at least 20 mg/kg, at least 25 mg/kg, or at least 30 mg/kg In one embodiment, a weekly dose may be at most 1.5 mg/kg, at most 2 mg/kg, at most 2.5 mg/kg, at most 3 mg/kg, at most 4 mg/kg, at most 5 mg/kg, at most 6 mg/kg, at most 7 mg/kg, at most 8 mg/kg, at most 9 mg/kg, at most 10 mg/kg, at most 15 mg/kg, at most 20 mg/kg, at most 25 mg/kg, or at most 30 mg/kg. In a particular aspect, the weekly dose may range from 5 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg. In an alternative aspect, the weekly dose may range from 10 mg/kg to 15 mg/kg.

[00415] The present specification also provides a pharmaceutical composition for the administration to a subject. The pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may further include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent. As used herein, the term "pharmaceutically acceptable" means that the composition is sufficient to achieve the therapeutic effects without deleterious side effects, and may be readily determined depending on the type of the diseases, the patient's age, body weight, health conditions, gender, and drug sensitivity, administration route, administration mode, administration frequency, duration of treatment, drugs used in combination or coincident with the composition disclosed herein, and other factors known in medicine.

[00416] The pharmaceutical composition including the antibody disclosed herein may further include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. For oral administration, the carrier may include, but is not limited to, a binder, a lubricant, a disintegrant, an excipient, a solubilizer, a dispersing agent, a stabilizer, a suspending agent, a colorant, and a flavorant. For injectable preparations, the carrier may include a buffering agent, a preserving agent, an analgesic, a solubilizer, an isotonic agent, and a stabilizer. For preparations for topical administration, the carrier may include a base, an excipient, a lubricant, and a preserving agent.

[00417] The disclosed compositions may be formulated into a variety of dosage forms in combination with the aforementioned pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. For example, for oral administration, the pharmaceutical composition may be formulated into tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs, suspensions, syrups or wafers. For injectable preparations, the pharmaceutical composition may be formulated into an ampule as a single dosage form or a multidose container. The pharmaceutical composition may also be formulated into solutions, suspensions, tablets, pills, capsules and long-acting preparations.

[00418] On the other hand, examples of the carrier, the excipient, and the diluent suitable for the pharmaceutical formulations include, without limitation, lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, maltitol, starch, acacia rubber, alginate, gelatin, calcium phosphate, calcium silicate, cellulose, methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, water, methylhydroxybenzoate, propylhydroxybenzoate, talc, magnesium stearate and mineral oils. In addition, the pharmaceutical formulations may further include fillers, anti-coagulating agents, lubricants, humectants, flavorants, and antiseptics. [00419] Further, the pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may have any formulation selected from the group consisting of tablets, pills, powders, granules, capsules, suspensions, liquids for internal use, emulsions, syrups, sterile aqueous solutions, non- aqueous solvents, lyophilized formulations and suppositories.

[00420] The composition may be formulated into a single dosage form suitable for the patient's body, and preferably is formulated into a preparation useful for peptide drugs according to the typical method in the pharmaceutical field so as to be administered by an oral or parenteral route such as through skin, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-arterial, intramedullary, intramedullary, intraventricular, pulmonary, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, intracolonic, topical, sublingual, vaginal, or rectal administration, but is not limited thereto.

[00421] The composition may be used by blending with a variety of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers such as physiological saline or organic solvents. In order to increase the stability or absorptivity, carbohydrates such as glucose, sucrose or dextrans, antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or glutathione, chelating agents, low molecular weight proteins or other stabilizers may be used.

[00422] The administration dose and frequency of the pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein are determined by the type of active ingredient, together with various factors such as the disease to be treated, administration route, patient's age, gender, and body weight, and disease severity.

[00423] The total effective dose of the compositions disclosed herein may be administered to a patient in a single dose, or may be administered for a long period of time in multiple doses according to a fractionated treatment protocol. In the pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein, the content of active ingredient may vary depending on the disease severity. Preferably, the total daily dose of the peptide disclosed herein may be approximately 0.0001 μg to 500 mg per 1 kg of body weight of a patient. However, the effective dose of the peptide is determined considering various factors including patient's age, body weight, health conditions, gender, disease severity, diet, and secretion rate, in addition to administration route and treatment frequency of the pharmaceutical composition. In view of this, those skilled in the art may easily determine an effective dose suitable for the particular use of the pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein. The pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein is not particularly limited to the formulation, and administration route and mode, as long as it shows suitable effects. Moreover, the pharmaceutical composition may be administered alone or in combination or coincident with other pharmaceutical formulations showing prophylactic or therapeutic efficacy.

[00424] In still another aspect, the present specification provides a method for preventing or treating of cancer, infectious diseases or neurodegenerative diseases comprising the step of administering to a subject the chimeric protein or the pharmaceutical composition including the same.

[00425] Given the teachings and guidance provided herein, those skilled in the art will understand that a formulation described herein can be equally applicable to many types of biopharmaceuticals, including those exemplified, as well as others known in the art. Given the teachings and guidance provided herein, those skilled in the art also will understand that the selection of, for example, type(s) or and/or amount(s) of one or more excipients, surfactants and/or optional components can be made based on the chemical and functional compatibility with the biopharmaceutical to be formulated and/or the mode of administration as well as other chemical, functional, physiological and/or medical factors well known in the art. For example, non-reducing sugars exhibit favorable excipient properties when used with polypeptide biopharmaceuticals compared to reducing sugars. Accordingly, exemplary formulations are exemplified further herein with reference to polypeptide biopharmaceuticals. However, the range of applicability, chemical and physical properties, considerations and methodology applied to polypeptide biopharmaceutical can be similarly applicable to biopharmaceuticals other than polypeptide biopharmaceuticals.

[00426] In various embodiments, a formulation can include, without limitation, combinations of bioactive agents (such as viruses, proteins, antibodies, peptides and the like as described herein) in the formulation. For example, a formulation as described herein can include a single bioactive agent for treatment of one or more conditions, including without limitation, disease. A formulation as described herein also can include, in an embodiment, without limitation, two or more different bioactive agents for a single or multiple conditions. Use of multiple bioactive agents in a formulation can be directed to, for example, the same or different indications. Similarly, in another embodiment, multiple bioactive agents can be used in a formulation to treat, for example, both a pathological condition and one or more side effects caused by the primary treatment. In a further embodiment, multiple bioactive agents also can be included, without limitation, in a formulation as described herein to accomplish different medical purposes including, for example, simultaneous treatment and monitoring of the progression of the pathological condition. In an additional embodiment, multiple, concurrent therapies such as those exemplified herein as well as other combinations well known in the art are particularly useful for patient compliance because a single formulation can be sufficient for some or all suggested treatments and/or diagnosis. Those skilled in the art will know those bioactive agents that can be admixed for a wide range of combination therapies. Similarly, in various embodiments, a formulation can be used with a small molecule drug and combinations of one or more bioactive agents together with one or more small molecule pharmaceuticals. Therefore, in various embodiments a formulation is provided containing 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 or more different bioactive agents, as well as, for one or more bioactive agents combined with one or more small molecule pharmaceuticals.

[00427] In various embodiments, a formulation can include, one or more preservatives and/or additives known in the art. Similarly, a formulation can further be formulated, without limitation, into any of various known delivery formulations. For example, in an embodiment, a formulation can include, surfactants, adjuvant, biodegradable polymers, hydrogels, etc., such optional components, their chemical and functional characteristics are known in the art. Similarly known in the art are formulations that facilitate rapid, sustained or delayed release of the bioactive agents after administration. A formulation as described can be produced to include these or other formulation components known in the art.

[00428] The composition can therefore be administered as a single dose, or as two or more doses (which may or may not contain the same amount of the desired molecule) over time, or as a continuous infusion via an implantation device or catheter. Further refinement of the appropriate dosage is routinely made by those of ordinary skill in the art and is within the ambit of tasks routinely performed by them. Appropriate dosages may be ascertained through use of appropriate dose-response data. In various embodiments, the bioactive agents in formulations described herein can, without limitation, be administered to patients throughout an extended time period, such as chronic administration for a chronic condition. The composition can be a solid, a semi-solid or an aerosol and a pharmaceutical compositions is formulated as a tablet, geltab, lozenge, orally dissolved strip, capsule, syrup, oral suspension, emulsion, granule, sprinkle or pellet.

[00429] In an embodiment, for oral, rectal, vaginal, parenteral, pulmonary, sublingual and/or intranasal delivery formulations, tablets can be made by compression or molding, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients or additives. In an embodiment, compressed tablets are prepared, for example, by compressing in a suitable tabletting machine, the active ingredients in a free-flowing form such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed with a binder (for example, without limitation, povidone, gelatin, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose), lubricant, inert diluent, preservative, disintegrant (for example, without limitation, sodium starch glycolate, cross-linked povidone, cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose) and/or surface-active or dispersing agent.

[00430] In an embodiment, molded tablets are made, for example, without limitation, by molding in a suitable tabletting machine, a mixture of powdered compounds moistened with an inert liquid diluent. In an embodiment, the tablets may optionally be coated or scored, and may be formulated so as to provide slow or controlled release of the active ingredients, using, for example, without limitation, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose in varying proportions to provide the desired release profile. In an embodiment, tablets may optionally be provided with a coating, without limitation, such as a thin film, sugar coating, or an enteric coating to provide release in parts of the gut other than the stomach. In an embodiment, processes, equipment, and toll manufacturers for tablet and capsule making are well-known in the art.

[00431] In an embodiment, capsule formulations can utilize either hard or soft capsules, including, without limitation, gelatin capsules or vegetarian capsules such as those made out of hydroxymethylpropylcellulose (HMPC). In an embodiment, a type of capsule is a gelatin capsule. In an embodiment, capsules may be filled using a capsule filling machine such as, without limitation, those available from commercial suppliers such as Miranda International or employing capsule manufacturing techniques well-known in the industry, as described in detail in Pharmaceutical Capules, 2.sup.nd Ed., F. Podczeck and B. Jones, 2004. In an embodiment, capsule formulations may be prepared, without limitation, using a toll manufacturing center such as the Chao Center for Industrial Pharmacy & Contract Manufacturing, located at Purdue Research Park.

[00432] Packaging and instruments for administration may be determined by a variety of considerations, such as, without limitation, the volume of material to be administered, the conditions for storage, whether skilled healthcare practitioners will administer or patient self- compliance, the dosage regime, the geopolitical environment (e.g., exposure to extreme conditions of temperature for developing nations), and other practical considerations.

[00433] Injection devices include pen injectors, auto injectors, safety syringes, injection pumps, infusion pumps, glass prefilled syringes, plastic prefilled syringes and needle free injectors syringes may be prefilled with liquid, or may be dual chambered, for example, for use with lyophilized material. An example of a syringe for such use is the Lyo-Ject™, a dual-chamber pre-filled lyosyringe available from Vetter GmbH, Ravensburg, Germany. Another example is the LyoTip which is a prefilled syringe designed to conveniently deliver lyophilized formulations available from LyoTip, Inc., Camarillo, California, U.S.A. Administration by injection may be, without limitation intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous, as appropriate. Administrations by non-injection route may be, without limitation, nasal, oral, cocular, dermal, or pulmonary, as appropriate.

[00434] In certain embodiments, kits can comprise, without limitation, one or more single or multi-chambered syringes (e.g., liquid syringes and lyosyringes) for administering one or more formulations described herein. In various embodiments, the kit can comprise formulation components for parenteral, subcutaneous, intramuscular or IV administration, sealed in a vial under partial vacuum in a form ready for loading into a syringe and administration to a subject. In this regard, the composition can be disposed therein under partial vacuum. In all of these embodiments and others, the kits can contain one or more vials in accordance with any of the foregoing, wherein each vial contains a single unit dose for administration to a subject.

[00435] The kits can comprise lyophilates, disposed as herein, that upon reconstitution provide compositions in accordance therewith. In various embodiment the kits can contain a lyophilate and a sterile diluent for reconstituting the lyophilate.

[00436] Also described herein, are methods for treating a subject in need of therapy, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a formulation as described herein. The therapeutically effective amount or dose of a formulation will depend on the disease or condition of the subject and actual clinical setting.

[00437] In an embodiment, a formulation as described herein can be administered by any suitable route, specifically by parental (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal) administration. It will also be appreciated that the preferred route will vary with the condition and age of the recipient, and the disease being treated. Methods of determining the most effective means and dosage of administration are known to those of skill in the art and will vary, without limitation, with the composition used for therapy, the purpose of the therapy, and the subject being treated. Single or multiple administrations can be carried out, without limitation, the dose level and pattern being selected by the treating physician. Suitable dosage formulations and methods of administering the agents are known in the art.

[00438] The formulations as described herein can be used in the manufacture of medicaments and for the treatment of humans and other animals by administration in accordance with conventional procedures.

[00439] Also provided herein are combinatorial methods for developing suitable virus formulations using combinations of amino acids. These methods are effective for developing stable liquid or lyophilized formulations, and particularly pharmaceutical virus formulations. [00440] Compositions in accordance with embodiments described herein have desirable properties, such as desirable solubility, viscosity, syringeability and stability. Lyophilates in accordance with embodiments described herein have desirable properties, as well, such as desirable recovery, stability and reconstitution.

[00441] In an embodiment, the pH of the pharmaceutical formulation is at least about

3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.25, 5.5, 5.75, 6, 6.25, 6.5, 6.75, 7, 7.25, 7.5, 7.75, 8, 8.25,

8.5, 8.75, or 9.

[00442] In an embodiment, the pH of the pharmaceutical formulation is from about 3 to about 9, about 4 to about 19, about 5 to about 9, about 6 to about 8, about 6 to about 7, about 6 to about 9, about 5 to about 6, about 5 to about 7, about 5 to about 8, about 4 to about 9, about 4 to about 8, about 4 to about 7, about 4 to about 6, about 4 to about 5, about 3 to about 8, about 3 to about 7, about 3 to about 6, about 3 to about 5, about 3 to about 4, about 7 to about 8, about 7 to about 9, about 7 to about 10.

[00443] In summary, embodiments include an antibody which binds to DLL3, Muc17 or Claudin 18.2 paired with an agonist antibody that activates CD3, CD28 or CD137. The antibody can be one of (1) an antibody with a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 31 , light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 40, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 47; or (2) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 , heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11 , and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 22, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 39, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 54; or (3) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49; or (4) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49; or (5) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 10, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 22, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 55; or (6) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:

1 , heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11 , and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 22, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 55; or (7) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 28, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 54; or (8) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 51 ; or (9) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:

6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 51 ; or (10) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 51 ; or (11) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 51 ; or (12) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:

6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 34, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49; or (13) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 34, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49; or (14) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 34, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49; or (15) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:

6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 34, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49; or (16) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 37, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 51 ; or (17) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 37, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 51 ; or (18) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:

6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 37, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 51 ; or (19) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 37, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 51 ; or (20) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49; or (21) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:

6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49; or (22) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49; or (23) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49; or (24) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:

5, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 51.

(25) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 34, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 50; or (26) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 17, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 26, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 34, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 50; or (27) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:

8, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19, and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 35, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 45, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 52.

(28) an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising heavy chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 9, heavy chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 , and heavy chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 29, and a light chain variable region comprising light chain CDR1 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32, light chain CDR2 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 39, and light chain CDR3 containing at least the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 54.

[00444] Certain embodiments of the present invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the present invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[00445] Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of the present invention are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other group members disclosed herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

[00446] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in the present specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” As used herein, the term “about” means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified encompasses a range of plus or minus ten percent above and below the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical indication should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and values setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical ranges and values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical range or value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Recitation of numerical ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate numerical value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of a numerical range is incorporated into the present specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[00447] The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context of describing the present invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the present invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the present specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[00448] Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using consisting of or consisting essentially of language. When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the transition term “consisting of excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claims. The transition term “consisting essentially of limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s). Embodiments of the present invention so claimed are inherently or expressly described and enabled herein.

[00449] Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of the present invention are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other group members disclosed herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

[00450] All patents, patent publications, and other publications referenced and identified in the present specification are individually and expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the compositions and methodologies described in such publications that might be used in connection with the present invention. These publications are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing in this regard should be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention or for any other reason. All statements as to the date or representation as to the contents of these documents is based on the information available to the applicants and does not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of these documents.

[00451] In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such, various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of the disclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

Table 13 - SEQUENCES