AI-Guided Precision in Antibody Humanization: Structural Modeling to Minimize Immunogenicity and Preserve Efficacy

Antibody humanization is an essential part of converting animal-derived antibodies into clinical candidates however conventional CDR grafting techniques often faces challenges, especially when essential antigen-binding sites extend beyond CDR regions. Additionally, the CDR grafting process tends to retain undesired non-human elements within the CDR regions. In this study, we overcame these challenges by using our proprietary AI-predicted antigen-antibody complex algorithm to effectively humanize a murine antibody. During our AI-powered humanization process, in contrast to traditional CDR grafting techniques, only the crucial paratopes identified through our AI-predicted complex structure were precision grafted onto a select human germline. This paratope grafting technique significantly reduced the antibodies immunogenicity risk while maintaining bioactivity. Moreover, all AI-guided deep humanized antibody variants demonstrated favorable developability, including thermal stability, poly-reactivity, and hydrophobicity. These results not only advance antibody humanization techniques but also demonstrate the power of AI in expediting antibody engineering and derisking clinical research.