Key points from article :
Paul Varley, PhD, senior vice president at Alchemab Therapeutics, delivered a keynote at the Bioprocessing Summit Europe, reflecting on the progress in monoclonal antibody (mAb) production over the last three decades. He noted that while mAbs were initially considered impractical as medicines due to slow and costly production methods, advancements have brought over 150 antibodies to market today. Varley likened the current state of advanced therapies, such as CAR-T and viral treatments, to the early days of mAbs, emphasizing that the lessons learned from antibody development can significantly accelerate these emerging technologies.
He highlighted the role of a determined industry mindset in overcoming technical challenges, pointing out that innovations like enhanced process analytics and streamlined production techniques are already making headway in the advanced therapy space. Varley also praised regulators for adopting more patient-focused, risk-based approaches compared to their historically conservative stance, which is enabling faster advancements in therapy development.
As a leader at Alchemab, Varley shared insights into his work developing new classes of antibodies by studying individuals with natural resistance to diseases, aiming to create treatments that are both effective and easier to produce. He also discussed the future potential of antibody-drug conjugates, which combine the precision of antibodies with the potency of drugs, offering hope for next-generation therapies. Varley’s talk emphasized the transformative potential of advanced therapies, inspired by the long journey of mAb development, and the opportunities for continued innovation in medicine.
