Case study: Iterative screening for broad-spectrum antibodies
Scientific challenge
Novel broad-spectrum antibodies
A biotechnology company developing novel broad-spectrum influenza-targeting antibodies required a robust and flexible in vitro workflow to support iterative rounds of antibody screening and optimisation.
The programme involved multiple cycles of testing, starting with high-throughput screening to identify antibodies with neutralising activity, followed by dose-response neutralisation assays to determine IC₅₀ values and support selection of improved candidates.
A critical aspect of the project was the rapid generation and delivery of high-quality functional data to guide subsequent antibody engineering and production rounds. Each experimental cycle needed to be carefully coordinated with antibody generation, production timelines and delivery of results, ensuring that new candidates could rapidly progress through evaluation.
The programme also required the acquisition and adaptation of neutralisation assays across multiple influenza strains to assess breadth and consistency of antibody activity.
Virus |
Influenza virus (multiple strains) |
Project |
Iterative screening and optimisation of broad-spectrum influenza neutralising antibodies |
Assay |
High-throughput neutralisation screening, dose-response neutralisation assays, IC₅₀ determination |
Client |
Biopharmaceutical company |
Stage |
Discovery and optimisation |
Services |
High-throughput neutralisation screening, antibody IC50 characterisation, neutralisation assay, assay development, multi-strain influenza testing |
Related expertise |
Influenza virology, antibody discovery, neutralisation assays, assay adaptation, biologics development |
Key considerations
Data quality and operational flexibility
The success of the programme depended not only on assay performance, but also on maintaining a reliable and responsive workflow over an extended antibody optimisation campaign.
Key considerations included:
- generating reproducible neutralisation data across multiple antibody candidates and testing cycles,
- adapting neutralisation assays to different influenza strains,
- ensuring rapid data turnaround to support antibody design decisions,
- incorporating contingency planning to accommodate unexpected delays while maintaining programme timelines.
Because assay outputs directly informed the next round of antibody optimisation, both data quality and operational flexibility were critical.
Our Approach
Close communication
VRS established a structured neutralisation testing workflow capable of supporting repeated screening and optimisation cycles throughout the antibody development programme.
Initial high-throughput neutralisation screening was used to identify antibodies with functional activity, followed by quantitative dose-response assays to determine IC₅₀ values for selected candidates.
As the programme progressed, VRS acquired and adapted neutralisation assay workflows for different influenza strains, enabling comparative assessment of antibody potency and breadth across diverse viral backgrounds.
Close communication with the client enabled experimental planning around antibody production schedules and candidate availability. Internal contingency planning ensured that unexpected experimental challenges could be addressed without compromising delivery timelines.
Throughout the programme, assay performance was carefully monitored to maintain confidence in comparative results generated over multiple testing rounds and across an extended development period.
Outcome
Confidence to make informed decisions
Over 12 months of iterative testing, VRS generated a robust dataset supporting influenza antibody discovery and optimisation.
The workflow successfully supported multiple rounds of antibody evaluation, from initial high-throughput neutralisation screening through quantitative IC₅₀ determination and strain-specific activity assessment.
The consistency of the assay platform was demonstrated by the stability of neutralisation measurements over time, with observed IC₅₀ variation remaining within a three-fold range across repeated testing. The assay proved superior to other readouts explored by the clients in terms of internal data consistency.
The robustness and reproducibility of the generated data provided the client with confidence to make informed decisions throughout the antibody optimisation programme.
VRS INSIGHT
Virology expertise + operational responsiveness
Successful antibody discovery programmes require experimental platforms that can deliver reliable comparative data over many cycles while adapting to evolving candidates and scientific questions, and to the operational requirements of producing and testing new virus batches.
This programme highlighted the importance of combining virology expertise with operational responsiveness: maintaining assay consistency across repeated testing while providing the speed required for iterative antibody optimisation.
VRS’s experience in influenza neutralisation assays and functional antibody characterisation enables us to support biologics programmes where robust functional data are essential for selecting and advancing the most promising candidates.
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