E.v. Offshore Limited

Fusion Antibodies Limited

The Queen's University of Belfast

Christopher Scott

Jonathan Thursby

Shane Olwill

Steven Helmore

Philip Brown

Brian Walker

Fraser Louden

Jonathan Brian Rudd

James Johnston

Roberta Burden

Richard John Buick

Jim Johnston

Francois Fay

Anthony O'Kane

Natasha Campbell

James McClory

Hugh Morgan

Leona McGirr

Darragh MacCann

John Blackwell

James Crisafulli

David Tynewydd

Tobben Tymons

Julie Gormley

Jaquin Thomas

Darragh McMeel

Shaun Spence

Declan Doherty

Thomas Jaquin

Jill Caswell

Danny McAuley

Danny Mcauley

This disclosure relates to methods of generating antibody libraries, antibody libraries produced using such methods, and variant antibodies. Presently, methods of improving antibody binding (affinity maturation assays) require the screening of vast libraries of antibody variants (often >10) to identify a small fraction of variants with improved characteristics. The present invention involves taking the nucleotide sequence of the framework and complementarity determining region of a target antibody and identifying motifs which would be recognised by deamination somatic hypermutation enzymes. A small library of variants is then created which incorporate one or more of these mutations. It was found that a relatively high proportion of the variants have an increased affinity. The technique of the present invention was demonstrated on the trastuzumab and Cathepsin S antibodies, and the variants produced are also claimed.

Antibody library and method

This invention relates to a method of imaging a downhole region of interest. In particular this invention relates to a method of processing images captured downhole to remove or reduce distortions due to the optical system as a function of the temperature experienced by the optical system in the downhole environment. A method of imaging a downhole region of interest comprises contemporaneously capturing an image of a region of interest and recording a temperature associated with the region of interest; selecting a pre-defined set of distortion data from a plurality of pre-defined sets of distortion data based on the recorded temperature; and applying the selected set of distortion data to the captured image to create an un-distorted image, wherein the pre-defined set of distortion data comprises distortion values associated with a range of field angles at a specified temperature.

Downhole imaging

A method for constructing a three-dimensional representation of an internal surface of a conduit comprises obtaining a plurality of images of the internal surface of the conduit, for example from a camera mounted on an inspection tool, constructing, from the plurality of images, a composite image of the internal surface, providing a shape model of the internal surface, constructing, using the shape model, a three-dimensional mesh of the internal surface, and constructing a three-dimensional representation of the internal surface by assigning a pixel value from the composite image to a corresponding node of the mesh. The three-dimensional representation may be derived from two or more sets of images obtained under different image acquisition conditions, such as different camera angles, lighting conditions or spectral sensitivities.

Method for constructing a 3D representation of a conduit internal surface

Methods for correcting for non-centred tool geometry in image data obtained by a conduit inspection tool are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention apply to inspection tools with one or multiple sideview cameras and to inspection tools with downview cameras. The methods include obtaining at least two overlapping images of the internal surface of the conduit using the tool, identifying one or more features common to at least a pair of the overlapping images, determining, based on the positions of the or each common feature, the position of the tool with respect to a longitudinal axis of the conduit, determining a correction function based on the position of the tool and applying the correction function to the image data. Methods for determining the dimension of a feature of interest on the internal surface of the conduit are also disclosed.

Image correction methods for downhole inspection tools

A method for determining a corrected axial displacement parameter of a conduit inspection tool, in particular a downhole inspection tool, during transit of the tool axially along a conduit is disclosed. The tool used in the method has an imaging device and may be attached to a control module with a connecting line. The method comprises obtaining successive axially overlapping images of an internal wall of the conduit, determining, from the images, an observed axial displacement parameter of the tool as a function of transit time, identifying, in the images, a plurality of reference points, determining an estimated axial displacement parameter of the tool over an of transit time between successive reference points, and computing the corrected axial displacement parameter of the tool by applying a correction factor to the observed axial velocity of the tool.

Estimating inspection tool velocity and depth

A method of constructing a three-dimensional model of an internal surface of a tubular structure comprises obtaining image data from an area of the internal surface of the structure, obtaining measured height profile data from the internal surface in a plurality of sub-regions of the area, for example using a multi-finger caliper tool, determining image properties from the image data, correlating the measured height profile data with the image properties in the sub-regions, and constructing expected height profile data for at least part of the area outside the sub-regions using the correlated measured height profile data and image properties.

Quantitative surface measurements by combining image and height profile data

The invention relates to a method of inhibiting chemotherapy induced upregulation of Cathepsin S on the surface of tumor cells, the method comprising the administration of a Cathepsin S inhibitor to said cells. Also provided is a therapy comprising an anti Cathepsin S antibody, in particular an anti-Cathepsin S antibody which does not inhibit the proteolytic effect of Cathepsin S but nevertheless inhibits angiogenesis and a combination treatment comprising a Cathepsin S inhibitor and a therapeutic agent.

Therapy targeting cathepsin S

There is provided a method for suppressing a pro-inflammatory immune response in a cell, comprising providing to a cell sialic acid or analogs thereof, wherein the sialic acid or analogs are presented by a substrate such that a pro-inflammatory immune response in a cell is suppressed or an anti-inflammatory immune response is increased in a cell. Further, there is provided a method of treatment of inflammatory disease in a subject in need thereof. There is also provided a drug delivery device and a biomaterial which can modulate the inflammatory response in a subject.

Modulator

Described are cross-specific antibody molecules with binding specificity for both AREG and HBEGF. The antibody molecules may be used in methods of treatment of cancer and diseases associated with angiogenesis.

Anti-AREG/HB-EGF antibodies and treatment

Described are specific binding members e.g. antibodies which may be used in the treatment of diseases associated with cathepsin S activity. The specific binding members bind cathepsin S and inhibit its proteolytic activity. The binding members may be used in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune disorders, and other diseases associated with excessive, deregulated or inappropriate angiogenesis.

Antibody and uses thereof

Described are specific binding members e.g. antibodies which may be used in the treatment of diseases associated with cathepsin S activity. The specific binding members binds cathepsin S and inhibits its proteolytic activity. The binding members may be used in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune disorders, and other diseases associated with excessive, deregulated or inappropriate angiogenesis.

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Belfast, United Kingdom

Christopher Scott