Antibody-serum protein hybrids

Abstract

Hybrid proteins are described which comprise one or more antigen-binding antibody fragments covalently linked to one or more serum carrier proteins. The hybrid proteins can bind antigens, have a long half-life in vivo and can be used in medicine for therapy and diagnosis.

1 - 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A hybrid protein comprising an antigen-binding antibody fragment covalently linked to an albumin molecule, wherein the antibody fragment and albumin molecule are directly linked through the C-terminal amino acid of the antibody fragment to the N-terminal amino acid of the albumin molecule optionally through a spacing group.  
   
   
       15 . A hybrid protein according to claim  1  wherein the spacing group is between 1 and 100 amino acids in length.  
   
   
       16 . A hybrid protein according to claim  1  wherein the antibody fragment is a monovalent Fab or Fab′.  
   
   
       17 . A hybrid protein according to claim  1  wherein the antibody fragment is a scFv.  
   
   
       18 . A hybrid protein according to claim  1  further covalently linked to one or more effector or reporter groups.  
   
   
       19 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a hybrid protein, wherein the hybrid protein comprises an antigen-binding antibody fragment covalently linked to an albumin molecule, wherein the antibody fragment and albumin molecule are directly linked through the C-terminal amino acid of the antibody fragment to the N-terminal amino acid of the albumin molecule optionally through a spacing group, and an agent selected from the group consisting of a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, and a carrier.