Advanced conjugation and CMC-enabling characterization across conjugated modalities
Successful IND-enabling development requires more than executing individual CMC activities. It requires an integrated CMC strategy that begins with developable therapeutic candidates and carries that foundation through every stage of development.
Nona’s Developability by Design approach combines Harbour Mice®, Modalities on Demand™, integrated discovery technologies, and multidisciplinary CMC expertise to reduce downstream development risk while supporting a seamless transition from discovery through IND.
Nona’s fully human antibody discovery platform enables the identification and engineering of antibodies optimized for conjugated therapeutics. Through Harbour Mice® technology, Nona provides access to both conventional H2L2 antibodies and heavy-chain-only antibodies (HCAbs), supporting diverse antibody formats and targeting strategies for ADC development. This HCAbs further enhance conjugate design through improved tissue penetration, access to unique epitopes, and compatibility with site-specific conjugation strategies.
| HCAb Feature | Development Advantage |
|---|---|
| Smaller size (~85 kDa) | Better tissue penetration |
| Unique epitope access | Better specificity Better internalization |
| Compatibility with site-specific DAR2 conjugation | High homogeneous product High stability with conserved disulfide bonds |
| Fully human antibody sequences | No additional tags No non-natural amino acids No changes to glycosylation patterns |
| Simplified conjugation design | Improved manufacturability |
| Flexibility | Expandable to other modalities (e.g., bispecific antibodies) |
These discovery capabilities integrate seamlessly with downstream conjugation and characterization, enabling efficient progression from target identification through ADC development.
Following candidate selection, successful IND-enabling development depends on the coordinated execution of multiple CMC disciplines. Nona integrates cell line development, process development, analytical development, and technology transfer into a unified strategy that establishes scalable manufacturing processes while supporting regulatory readiness.
A robust manufacturing process begins with a stable, high-producing cell line. Nona develops production cell lines through comprehensive clone screening, selection, and optimization strategies designed to maximize productivity while maintaining product quality and long-term manufacturing stability.
Our integrated approach establishes a reliable manufacturing foundation that supports downstream process development and scalable GMP production.
Robust process development establishes scalable manufacturing processes that consistently deliver high-quality biologics. Nona integrates upstream and downstream development to optimize productivity, purification performance, process robustness, and manufacturing scalability while maintaining critical quality attributes throughout development.
Our teams apply systematic process characterization and optimization strategies to support reproducible manufacturing processes suitable for clinical development and future commercialization.
DAR2 enables precise, site-specific drug attachment with a consistent drug-to-antibody ratio of two. This control enhances stability and therapeutic index while avoiding the liabilities of conventional high-DAR species, providing a reproducible and manufacturable path for ADC development.
Successful drug product development transforms a manufacturable biologic into a stable clinical product. Nona integrates formulation development with drug product development to optimize product stability, manufacturability, and clinical performance while supporting the transition to GMP manufacturing.
From formulation screening and optimization to fill-finish process development, our scientists develop robust drug product strategies tailored to the unique physicochemical properties of each molecule. By evaluating formulation composition, dosage form, stability, and manufacturing considerations early in development, we help reduce downstream risk and support successful clinical supply.
| Development Area | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Formulation Development | ♦ Buffer & excipient screening ♦ DoE formulation optimization ♦ High-concentration formulations (up to ~150 mg/mL) ♦ Stability studies |
| Drug Product Development | ♦ Liquid & lyophilized dosage forms ♦ Freeze-thaw studies & sterile filtration ♦ Fill-finish process development ♦ Container closure & device compatibility |
It will shorten the workflow for positive plasma cell screening from months to a single day.
The high throughput screening with 14K or 20K chips dramatically decreases labor costs for screening more than 10,000 cells.
Direct screening with individual plasma cells prevents the diversity loss/bias during hybridoma screening.
Our ADC solution provides full-spectrum physicochemical and biological characterization to support CMC-enabling development decisions and preclinical readiness, including developability assessment of ADCs and other bioconjugates. Integrated in vitro and in vivo workflows validate and de-risk conjugation strategies while supporting scalable manufacturing, batch consistency, and regulatory readiness.
A comprehensive suite of analytical methods supports these capabilities, including:
| Attribute | Analytical Methods |
|---|---|
| DAR | HIC |
| UV | |
| mass spec | |
| RP-HPLC | |
| Purity | SEC (HMW & LMW species) |
| HIC (DAR0 content) | |
| RP-HPLC (DAR0 content) | |
| Residual free drugs | RP-HPLC |
| Endotoxin | Chromogenic LAL assay |
| Recombinant Factor C assay |
Let’s Conjugate the Right Solution
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Stable cell line
Process development
Manufacture
PK / PD
Efficacy
ADA
TOX
Beacon® single B cell screening
Display technology
CAR-function based functional screening
Hybridoma
HCAb direct cloning screening
TCR Mimic Antibody
Target assessment
Recombinant protein
Recombinant cell-line
Affinity maturation ▶
Humanization▶
Fc-Engineering▶
Structure-Based Protein Design
▶
Functional characterization
Binding / Affinity
Antibody production
In vitro functional assay
Developability
Protein
Cell line
DNA
mRNA
Dr. Tian is an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, a member of Academia Europaea and a medical immunologist. Currently, he is a professor at University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), where he also works as Dean at School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Director at Institute of Immunology. He is also the Director of the Key Lab of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases of Chinese Academy of Science.
Dr. Tian was awarded with the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars. He is the academic leader of Chang Jiang Scholars Program as well as the Innovation Research Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China. Dr. Tian is Head of National Science and Technology Major Project and Chief Scientist of National Major Research Plan Program.
Dr. Tian’s laboratory is credited with seminal discoveries regarding basic knowledge and clinical study of natural killer (NK) cells, particularly liver-resident NK cells, cytokine-producing NK cells, and NK cell-based immunotherapy.
Peter Moesta, Ph.D., oversaw the development, production and worldwide launch of important medicines, such as Humira, Yervoy and Opdivo. Dr. Moesta previously served in executive roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Dr. Kramer serves as CSO of Portage Biotech Inc. Dr. Kramer previously served as Vice President and Head of Discovery for Oncology Therapeutics at Janssen Research & Development, LLC (the Pharmaceutical Division of Johnson and Johnson), where he was responsible for leading Global Discovery, focusing on aberrant signaling cascades in tumor cells, as well as epigenetic reprogramming and tumor immunology using both small molecule and protein-based large molecule approaches. Prior to joining Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Dr. Kramer served as VP Drug Discovery and Research for Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), where he provided scientific leadership and strategic oversight for many pre-clinical Oncology and Immunology programs and projects that entered development. Dr. Kramer was previously an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Kramer received his Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Vermont and completed his post-doctoral fellowship in Oncology at the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Kamen is a Venture Partner at Third Rock Ventures. In 2005, he co-founded BioAssets Development Corporation and served as its Chairman. He currently serves as an independent non-executive Director of Harbour BioMed and a director of Jounce Therapeutics (NASDAQ:JNCE). He was previously a director of Neon Therapeutics and Harbour Antibodies. Earlier in his career, he was senior vice president of scientific affairs at the pioneering biotechnology firm named Genetics Institute, Inc. Dr. Kamen received his bachelor’s degree in biophysics from Amherst College, a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. During his academic scientific career, he worked at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund.
Dr. Grosveld is Co-founder and CSO of Harbour Antibodies and the inventor of Harbour Mice®, Professor and former Head of Department of Cell Biology and Department of Clinical Genetics at Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, a fellow of Royal Society and a member of Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Grosveld’s research on the control of globin gene expression has been selected as one of the top ten achievements of Medical Research Council (UK) (MRC) in the 20th century by Higher Education and Research Opportunities in the U.K. Dr. Grosveld was awarded the Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine in 1991, the Spinozapremie (Spinoza Prize) in 1995.
Dr. Arkinstall has demonstrated remarkable competence throughout his career. He is a respected leader in drug discovery with substantial roles under his belt, including Research Head, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) positions at various pharmaceutical or biotech companies. Dr. Arkinstall served as CEO of Elstar Therapeutics and Revitope Oncology, companies advancing novel classes of multi-specific antibody-based cancer drugs. He previously was also the CSO of Kymab, an antibody therapeutics company founded in Cambridge, UK, prior to which he spent 16 years in progressively senior research leadership roles at EMD (Merck) Serono, and its associated entities across Europe and the United States.
Dr. Musheng Bao earned his Ph.D. in China and completed his postdoctoral training at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Baylor Institute for Immunology Research. Beginning his professional journey as a Scientist II at MedImmune, Dr. Bao later transitioned to Sanofi, where he served as a Principal Scientist. Following this, he joined Harbour BioMed, where he led a team dedicated to therapeutic antibody development utilizing the Harbour Mice® platform. Presently, Dr. Bao has taken on the role of Head of Biology at Nona Biosciences.
Dr. Yun He is Chief Technology Officer of Nona Biosciences. Before Nona Biosciences spun off from Harbour BioMed, Dr. He served as Head of Antibody Technology at Harbour BioMed. During his tenure there, Dr. He contributed to multiple discovery programs and led the team in establishing HBICE® platform. Prior to joining Harbour BioMed, Dr. He was an Investigator at Biologics Center in Novartis, where he was responsible for antibody engineering and bioinformatics. Prior to that, Dr. He was the group leader of Bioinformatics at GenScript. Dr. He received his Ph.D. from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with a focus on molecular biology and bioinformatics.
Mr. Louis Liu is Senior Vice President and Head of Scientific Operation of Nona Biosciences. He graduated from Bethune Medical University with Bachelor Degree of Medicine. He has over 30 years’ experience in antibody technology platform establishment, antibody discovery and discovery team management experience. Previously he worked in Syntron Bioresearch Inc as R&D manager, Strategic Diagnostic Inc as product development supervisor, Rockland Immunochemical Inc as Manager of Monoclonal Antibody service and product development, GenScript Ltd as vice president of Antibody Division, Shanghai ChemPartner as vice president of Biologics Discovery.
Dr. Joe Zhao is Vice President and Head of External Innovation of Nona Biosciences. Joe holds a BS from Fudan University and a PhD from University of Delaware, followed by postdoctoral trainings at Lankenau Medical Center and Zeneca Pharmaceuticals. Prior to joining Harbour BioMed, he was in small biotechs (Pharmacopeia and Ligand Pharmaceuticals) and large MNC (BMS). Joe has 25 years of combined experience in drug discovery of both small molecules and biologics in therapeutic areas of immuno-oncology, immunology, and genetic diseases.
Dr. Jiyong Zhang leads business development at Nona Biosciences, bringing vision and dedication to strategic growth and client satisfaction. With 15 years of experience in biotherapeutic research and development, Dr. Zhang’s understanding of market dynamics and ability to identify mission-aligned opportunities are evident.
Before overseeing business development at Nona, Dr. Zhang played key roles at Alexion and Abbvie, contributing to antibody discovery, engineering, and bispecific antibody R&D. His scientific experiences and knowledge in biotherapeutic innovation makes him a forward-thinking strategist focused on enhancing service offerings to meet evolving client needs.
With Dr. Zhang and his team driving business development, Nona Biosciences is poised to offer innovative solutions and unparalleled service. This solidifies the company’s position as a trusted and client-focused drug discovery partner in the dynamic landscape of biotherapeutic innovation.
Dr. Yiping Rong is our Chief Scientific Officer. He is a well-recognized scientist with about 20 years’ experience of biomedical research and drug discovery. Dr. Rong used to work at Sanofi, JNJ and Roche and built strong expertise in cancer biology and pharmacology. He led and contributed to >15 programs entering clinical trials. He is also involved in translational research work for a few drugs. Multiple mAb or bispecific antibodies generated from his team were out licensed to MNCs. Some highly innovative first-in-class projects are in clinical trials. He worked on apoptosis, epigenetics, immuno-oncology, and cancer cell signaling fields and led the drug discovery projects including kinase, enzyme, receptor/ligand, protein-protein-interaction targets by small molecules or monoclonal antibodies. Dr. Rong received his Ph.D. degree in Pharmacology from Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio). He is the member of American Association of Cancer Research and has more than twenty publications in cancer research field, including Nature Genetics, Molecular Cell, PNAS papers. He is also the inventor of dozens of patents in drug discovery field.
Dr. Jingsong Wang is Chairman of Nona Biosciences. Prior to that, Dr. Wang served as Head of China R&D and Head of Translational Medicine, Asia Pacific, at Sanofi. He is a former attending physician and clinical fellow at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Wang received his Ph.D. in Molecular Pharmacology from China Pharmaceutical University and has also completed a Molecular Immunology Research Fellowship at Dr. Laurie Glimcher’s laboratory at the Harvard School of Public Health.
