Current Topics in Therapeutic Antibodies - BCH2109H

Significant advances in technologies related to antibody discovery and development have allowed therapeutic antibodies to become the fastest growing class of biopharmaceuticals over the last 20 years, with now over 100 FDA-approved antibody therapeutics. Anchored in historical examples of antibody development successes, this course will explore key concepts in the therapeutic antibody R&D pipeline, including 1) strategies to enhance natural antibodies (e.g. glycobiology, chemistry, protein engineering), 2) challenges and opportunities in discovery and developability, 3) therapeutic areas and mechanisms of action (MoA), and 4) targeted delivery and uses of antibody fragments in cell-based therapeutics. Topics for evaluation will focus on the emergence of new antigenic targets, and promising technologies for antibody therapeutic technologies of the future. You will acquire an understanding of antibody therapeutics from their development to deployment, and critically evaluate innovations that are required to overcome limitations of current technologies to pave the way for next-generation antibody therapeutics of global importance.
 

Course Next Offered:
Winter 2026

Course Time and Location:
Course Dates:
Mar 3, Mar 10, Mar 17, Mar 24, Apr 7 (1:00pm-3:00pm)

Evaluation Time:
Apr 9, 10:00am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-4:00pm

Location: 
Hospital for Sick Children, PGCRL (Room TBD) 

Method of Student Evaluation:
40%: Oral presentation – 5-slides TED Talk on selected topic
40%: Written assignment – 5-page review on selected topic
20%: Participation

Course Coordinator:
Jean-Philippe Julien

Enrollment Limit:
18