Key points
- Advancements in bioconjugation and theranostics are enabling groundbreaking therapies that precisely target conditions like cancer and diabetes.
- We collaborated with Endo Axiom to pave the way for oral insulin delivery, transforming care for patients with Type 1 Diabetes.
- With bespoke solutions and regulated manufacturing, we're bridging the gap between research and clinical application to deliver life-changing, personalised treatments.
Breakthroughs in targeted therapies are transforming treatments for conditions like cancer and diabetes. Thanks to advancements in bioconjugation and theranostics, scientists are developing methods to deliver medicines with incredible precision, reducing side effects and making them more effective.
Bioconjugation allows drugs to be chemically linked to biological molecules. This means we can create treatments that pinpoint cancer cells or deliver insulin without injections. Theranostics goes a step further by combining diagnostics and treatment. This allows doctors to detect disease and immediately follow up with precise treatment using the same targeting agent, with a different radioisotope.
These developments are paving the way for a new era in personalised medicine.
The science of bioconjugation
Bioconjugation is the process of chemically linking two or more molecules, at least one of which is biologic. As the term suggests, ‘conjugate’ means to join.
In bioconjugation, scientists attach a drug or imaging agent – a substance that helps visualise cells and tissues during medical imaging – to a biological molecule, like an antibody. Sometimes, a polymer or nanoparticle loaded with the drug is linked to the antibody instead. The resulting bioconjugates are enabling more precise, targeted therapies than ever before.
Case in point: quantum dot breakthrough
Our biomedical researchers worked with Endo Axiom, a spinout from the University of Sydney, who have developed an oral insulin delivery method to replace painful daily injections. This advancement will make life easier for children with Type 1 Diabetes, reducing the risk of hypoglycaemic episodes.
The process harnesses the power of quantum dot nanoparticles – microscopic semiconductor particles just a few nanometres wide (one-millionth of a millimetre). Due to quantum mechanics, these tiny particles have unique optical and electronic properties.
The University of Sydney asked us to reproduce their method of making these nanoparticles. We then worked with Endo Axiom to refine a process that could bring the technology closer to patient use. The result? Insulin-coated nanoparticles encased in a polymer layer that can be swallowed. This bioconjugate withstands the gut’s highly acidic environment, reaching the intestine, where enzymes trigger insulin release. Once absorbed into the bloodstream, it is further processed in the liver, ensuring complete insulin release.
Scientists at our Biomedical Materials Translation Facility prepared a batch of these nanoparticles for toxicology studies. This is a critical step before clinical trials. With our support, Endo Axiom is now closer to creating a clinically viable insulin delivery solution. This work was recently published in Nature Nanotechnology: Oral nanotherapeutic formulation of insulin with reduced episodes of hypoglycaemia.
Bioconjugation and theranostics
Bioconjugates are central to a field known as theranostics – a fusion of ‘therapeutic’ and ‘diagnostics’. Theranostic drugs not only detect disease but also deliver targeted treatment to affected areas. This dual function is transforming cancer treatments by making therapies more precise and effective.
In theranostics, bioconjugation allows scientists to link a targeting antibody to a molecule capable of holding a radioactive isotope. This antibody conjugate can both locate cancer cells and treat them. When a radioisotope – a radioactive element that emits radiation as it breaks down – is added to the bioconjugate, it forms a powerful theranostic treatment. The radioisotope helps diagnose cancerous tumours and then delivers radiation directly to the tumour, sparing healthy tissue.
Radioisotopes have been used in cancer treatments for decades, but combining them with bioconjugates amplifies their effectiveness by precisely targeting tumours, leading to better outcomes and saving lives.
Targeting ovarian cancer
Our researchers worked with Professor John Hooper from the University of Queensland and the Mater Research Institute to produce a new theranostic antibody-drug conjugate targeting ovarian cancer. This theranostic combines a targeting antibody with a small molecule capable of holding a radioactive isotope. This allows it to both locate and treat cancer cells.
Working together, we produced the antibody, established the conjugation methods and manufactured the theranostic following a regulated process. This ensures it’s ready for human trials.
At our National Vaccine and Therapeutics Laboratory, we conducted pilot-scale manufacturing of the antibody and completed the bioconjugation step to add the small molecule. The team has recently prepared this theranostic for use in clinical trials, which will take place in Queensland.
Working with us
Our key strength in bioconjugates and theranostics lies in offering bespoke solutions for each project. We handle every critical aspect of the bioconjugation process, from selecting the drug molecule to determining how it’s attached – and even deciding how many drugs are attached to each molecule.
Our researchers bring expertise in protein expression and purification. This ensures the biomolecules involved in conjugation are of the highest quality and purity. With capabilities in organic chemistry, polymer and nanoparticle synthesis, our team creates innovative delivery systems that enhance the stability and effectiveness of bioconjugated therapeutics.
Successful bioconjugation requires linking molecules together and a deep understanding of their structure and behaviour. To support this, our team offers advanced characterisation services, providing crucial insights into the properties of bioconjugates. This is essential for doctors to determine the right dosage for patients.
From research to regulated manufacturing
Transitioning from research and development to large-scale production is a critical step in the drug discovery pathway. We bridge this gap with our regulated manufacturing capabilities, helping discoveries move seamlessly from the lab to clinical trials.
Our regulated biomanufacturing process is compliant with industry standards, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition. At our National Vaccine and Therapeutics Laboratory, we specialise in manufacturing recombinant proteins and antibody drug substances. These are essential for producing bioconjugated therapies.
By combining bespoke synthesis with scalable manufacturing, we’re leading the way in this transformative field. Our focus on collaboration, innovation and quality ensures industry and our research partners receive effective, targeted solutions. Together, we’re developing safer, more effective therapies with the potential to change lives.