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Utilizing EME's proprietary cDNA Display technology, antibodies against targets are rapidly obtained from diverse VHH libraries.
Because it is a completely in vitro screening method, it does not rely on animal immunization and allows for the flexible design of selection conditions according to the drug discovery concept.
Furthermore, it supports cell panning using targeted expression cells, enabling antibody discovery against membrane proteins that retain their native structure and glycosylation.

In drug discovery, the key is not simply to create antibodies that bind to a target, but to create antibodies that exhibit the desired biological function.
EME designs screening strategies that take into account the biological function and signal transduction mechanisms of target molecules, and supports the acquisition of functional antibodies such as agonist antibodies, antagonist antibodies, and endogenization-inducing antibodies.
By utilizing cell-based evaluation systems, we select candidate antibodies that prioritize not only binding activity but also the expression of physiological functions.

Cross-reactivity in humans and the animal species being evaluated is sometimes crucial for facilitating a smooth transition from non-clinical evaluation to clinical development.
EME supports the acquisition of VHH antibodies that exhibit cross-reactivity with humans, mice, and monkeys through a selection strategy utilizing antigens derived from multiple species.
By acquiring antibodies with a development strategy in mind from the early stages of drug discovery, we contribute to reducing the burden of surrogate antibody development and shortening the development period.

Appropriate molecular design and optimization are essential for deploying acquired VHH antibodies as drug discovery modalities.
EME designs antibody formats suitable for drug discovery concepts through molecular engineering such as affinity enhancement, specificity improvement, diversification, bispecification, and Fc fusion.
Furthermore, we also support advanced VHH engineering, including enhancement of agonist activity using receptor clustering and functional optimization utilizing pH-dependent binding control.