GemPharmatech, a global leader in preclinical research solutions and genetically-engineered mouse models, has announced a groundbreaking research collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) to accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutic antibodies for cancer treatment.
Revolutionary NeoMab® Platform Eliminates Humanization Bottleneck
The collaboration centers on GemPharmatech's NeoMab® platform, a next-generation transgenic mouse model engineered for rapid and efficient identification of fully human therapeutic antibodies. The platform represents a significant advancement in antibody discovery by carrying an extensive repertoire of human immunoglobulin variable genes in a BALB/c mouse genetic background.
Unlike traditional antibody discovery methods that require extensive post-discovery modifications to humanize antibodies derived from murine sequences, the NeoMab® model produces antibodies with inherently human variable regions. This innovation dramatically reduces development timelines and minimizes immunogenicity concerns that have historically challenged antibody therapeutics.
The NeoMab® platform's genetic engineering involves the humanization of immunoglobulin loci, introducing the full human heavy and kappa light chain variable region gene repertoires along with relevant regulatory elements. Embedded in a well-characterized BALB/c background, the platform offers researchers a robust system that faithfully recapitulates human antibody diversity and affinity maturation processes.
Targeting High-Value Cancer Therapeutics
Through this non-exclusive agreement, Memorial Sloan Kettering researchers will gain access to GemPharmatech's extensive preclinical service capabilities and resources. The collaboration will enable scientists to generate diverse arrays of high-affinity, fully human antibodies against high-value and challenging cancer targets.
"Our mission has always been to enable transformative biomedical research through innovative mouse models and technologies," said Dr. Xiang Gao, founder of GemPharmatech. "Collaborating with MSK on antibody discovery represents a powerful opportunity to combine scientific excellence with cutting-edge mouse models such as NeoMab®. Together, we can accelerate the development of novel therapeutics that address some of the most urgent challenges in cancer treatment."
The partnership is positioned to accelerate identification of antibodies that can disrupt tumorigenic pathways, modulate immune checkpoints, or enhance immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment—areas of investigation paramount to advancing precision oncology.
Comprehensive Preclinical Platform
GemPharmatech's extensive portfolio is anchored by the world's largest library of genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs), providing unparalleled versatility to researchers. With access to over 25,000 mouse strains—including knockout, conditional knockout, humanized, and immunodeficient variants—the company has established itself as a vital partner in therapeutic candidate discovery and validation across multiple complex disease areas.
"This collaboration underscores our mission to provide the global research community with advanced platforms to accelerate innovations in drug discovery," said Dr. Brandy Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer of GemPharmatech. "We are excited to be supporting MSK's pioneering work in oncology research with the NeoMab® platform. It is an honor to contribute to their scientific mission and to help advance antibody programs with the potential to transform therapies and improve patient outcomes worldwide."
Clinical Translation Advantages
The ability to generate fully human antibodies in an immunologically competent host reduces the risk of immunogenicity upon clinical application, thereby improving safety profiles and success rates in later-stage clinical trials. This capacity aligns with current demands for biomarkers and immunotherapies that avoid adverse immune responses, accelerating translation from bench to bedside.
The collaboration exemplifies a broader shift in preclinical drug discovery, where sophisticated genetically engineered models supplant older, less predictive systems. Success in this domain promises not only to shorten discovery timelines but also to elevate the quality and manufacturability of antibody drugs entering clinical evaluation, setting new standards for therapeutic innovation.
