Ann White

Title: Ann White: Antibody Engineering and Immunotherapy

Introduction

Ann White is an inventor associated with Southampton, Great Britain, and Cancer Research Technology Limited. Her work includes research into antibody engineering and the ways antibody structure can influence immune responses.

Latest Patents

White is named on one patent, titled “Modified Antibodies Containing Modified IgG2 Domains Which Elicit Agonist or Antagonistic Properties and Use Thereof.” The research describes how human IgG2 can give antibodies agonistic activity independent of Fcγ receptors, including antibodies targeting CD40 and other immunostimulatory receptors such as 4-1BB and CD28.

The inventors found that the activity of the anti-human CD40 antibody LOB7.4 depended on the arrangement of disulfide bonds in its hinge and CH1 regions. By chemically rearranging or mutating these bonds, they produced more flexible IgG2A and more compact IgG2B conformations, associated with antagonistic and agonistic properties, respectively. This approach may support the design of therapeutic antibodies and fusion proteins with immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive effects. White is credited with 1 patent.

Career Highlights

A key highlight of White’s recorded patent work is its focus on modifying antibody domains to influence their biological activity. The research connects structural changes in IgG2 antibodies with potential applications in therapeutic development.

Collaborations

The patent lists Martin John Glennie as a coworker. White’s work is associated with Cancer Research Technology Limited.

Conclusion

Ann White’s patent contribution concerns antibody engineering, showing how carefully controlled changes to IgG2 structure may help shape immune activity and inform the development of therapeutic agents.