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Biointron’s Networking Lunch (At the Table: Antibody Discovery) was held at Catalyst Restaurant in Cambridge on March 13. The session featured a guest speaker, Dr. Hitesh Soni. We were excited to share an afternoon filled with inspiring knowledge and conversations.

Advances in antibody discovery technologies, engineering strategies, and manufacturing platforms have enabled the rapid expansion of antibody-based therapeutics across oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, and rare disorders. As discovery pipelines grow larger and more complex, however, it has become increasingly clear that strong binding affinity and biological activity alone are not sufficient predictors of downstream success.

Each year on International Women’s Day, the global community recognizes the achievements of women across industries and disciplines. In biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, women have played a critical role in advancing the science that drives modern medicine, from pioneering

February 2026 activity showcased investment in CNS-targeting antibodies, advanced delivery technologies, and next-generation formats such as antibody-oligo conjugates and recombinant polyclonal IgGs. Large-scale strategic collaborations and sustained financing remained for platform-driven innovation, particularly between AI and biologics discovery.

Antibody-based therapeutics, including monoclonal antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), represent a major and expanding class of biopharmaceuticals. ADCs are structurally complex molecules composed of a monoclonal antibody, a cytotoxic payload, and a chemical linker, designed to selectively deliver potent drugs to target cells.

The therapeutic antibody landscape has expanded rapidly, with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) established as a dominant class of biologics across oncology, autoimmune, and infectious diseases. At the same time, the number of investigational antibody candidates continues to increase, placing pressure on development pipelines to deliver candidates efficiently.

​AACR Immuno-Oncology Conference (AACR IO) 2026 was held in Los Angeles from February 18-21. The conference featured talks on basic, translational, and clinical research in immunology, inflammation, and immunotherapies for cancer, with 600+ scientists in attendance.

Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) are engineered molecules capable of simultaneously binding two distinct antigens or epitopes. This property enables mechanisms of action not achievable with conventional monoclonal antibodies, including immune cell redirection, dual pathway inhibition, and targeted payload delivery. As a result, bsAbs have become a major focus in therapeutic antibody development, particularly in oncology.

Developability refers to the likelihood that an antibody candidate can be successfully advanced into a manufacturable, safe, and efficacious therapeutic product. It encompasses properties that enable progression through chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC) processes within acceptable cost and timeline constraints.

January 2026 deal activity leaned heavily toward bispecific, trispecific, and ADC assets, particularly in oncology and immunology, alongside steady investment in AI-enabled target discovery and antibody engineering platforms. Several of the month’s largest transactions focused on late preclinical and early clinical programs, pointing to continued pharma interest in differentiated antibody modalities with well-defined mechanisms as the year gets underway.

This article examines HEK293 and CHO across biological characteristics, productivity, glycosylation, product integrity, and application-specific strategy, integrating findings from recent comparative studies.

ADCs to watch in 2026. Clinical Trials, Primary Endpoints.