ADC Design & Optimization Service

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) demand precise conjugation to ensure reproducible drug-to-antibody ratios (DARs), therapeutic stability, and predictable pharmacokinetics. Traditional random conjugation methods using lysine or cysteine often lead to heterogeneous ADC mixtures, compromising potency and safety. Alfa Chemistry addresses these challenges through advanced non-canonical amino acid (ncAA) technology combined with high-throughput, scalable workflows.

Core Strength: ncAA-Driven Site-Specific Conjugation

Non-canonical amino acids expand the chemical diversity of proteins beyond the 20 natural residues, providing functional groups that enable bioorthogonal and site-specific drug attachment. Using engineered tRNA/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase pairs, Alfa Chemistry incorporates ncAAs such as p-azido-phenylalanine (pAzF), p-acetyl-phenylalanine (pAcF), and azido-lysine at predetermined antibody sites. These ncAAs act as precise conjugation handles, ensuring reproducible DARs, enhanced stability, and controlled pharmacological behavior. Compared with conventional methods, ncAA-enabled ADCs demonstrate superior homogeneity, reduced off-target modifications, and improved safety profiles.

High-Throughput & Scalable Pipeline

To accelerate ADC development, Alfa Chemistry integrates ncAA incorporation into a high-throughput conjugation and purification pipeline. This allows rapid generation and screening of diverse ADC candidates, enabling efficient optimization of conjugation sites, payloads, and linkers. The workflow is designed for scalability, ensuring smooth transitions from early-stage screening to preclinical production. By combining throughput with precision, our approach offers a competitive edge compared to traditional or semi-random conjugation platforms.

Service Highlights

• Consistent DARs – Achieve uniform drug loading and batch reproducibility.
• Superior Therapeutics – Improved safety, potency, and pharmacokinetics through controlled conjugation.
• Rapid Screening – High-throughput processes speed up candidate evaluation.
• Production Scalability – Flexible from small-scale validation to preclinical manufacturing.
• Versatility – Compatible with multiple antibody formats, linkers, and payload classes.

Comprehensive Support Ecosystem

Beyond conjugation, Alfa Chemistry provides end-to-end support including site selection strategy, access to an extensive ncAA library, advanced analytics (LC-MS, stability testing, binding assays), and consultation for lead optimization. With our ncAA-centered platform, researchers gain precision, reproducibility, and the flexibility to design next-generation ADCs optimized for clinical success.