Generation of mixed-valency, modular multispecific antibodies using disulfide-linked Fc–FcγR complexes
There is a strong need for multispecific antibodies that possess favorable clinical properties and can be generated through a simple and efficient process. Here, we repurpose the native IgG Fc-FcγR interaction into a universal, covalent docking site using only a single engineered disulfide bond, providing a simple solution to bypass the complex, bespoke engineering typically required for multispecific antibody design. The resulting Fc-FcγR complex forms a homodimeric Fc with one ligand, with the FcγR offering both N- and C-termini for independent functionalization, enabling single- or dual-payload formats, including masked designs for conditional activation. Introducing the disulfide between Fc (A330C) and FcγRIIIa (I106C) yields stable, covalently linked complexes that do not require post-expression modification, are compatible with standard mammalian expression, and support payloads such as anti-CD3, anti-CD28, IL-2, and protease-activated IL-2. These compounds exhibit potent, antigen-selective cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo, with tunable avidity and reduced off-target activity. This plug-and-play platform overcomes key developability bottlenecks and enables rapid, scalable creation of next-generation antibody therapeutics.
Authors
- Timothy W. Synold (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4075-2544)
- Le Xuan Truong Nguyen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5464-0861)
- Asaul Gonzalez
- Melissa Valerio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7897-2932)
- HyunJun Kang
- Bea Parcutela
- Yead Jewel
- Aparna Krishnan
- Miso Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9914-4351)
- John C. Williams (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0522-384X)
- Kevin Ly
- Carmina Ladra
- Hyeran Choi
- Guido Marcucci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3983-5908)
Institutions
- City Of Hope National Medical Center (US)
- City of Hope (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2026-04-28
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-72425-5
- Primary Topic
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Cancer Institute