Binding agent

Abstract

A binding agent of the Formula A-a′:a-S-b:b′-B:X(n), wherein A as well as B is a monovalent binder, a′:a as well as b:b′ is a binding pair wherein a′ and a do not interfere with the binding of b to b′ and vice versa, S is a spacer of at least 1 nm in length, :X denotes a functional moiety bound either covalently or via a binding pair to at least one of a′, a, b, b′ or S, (n) is an integer and at least 1, - represents a covalent bond, and the linker a-S-b has a length of 6 to 100 nm. Also disclosed are methods of producing such binding agent and certain uses thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A binding agent comprising Formula: A-a′:a-S-b:b′-B:X(n), wherein
 A is a monovalent binder; 
 B is a monovalent binder; 
 S is a spacer of at least 1 nm in length; 
 (n) is an integer and at least 1; 
 - represents a covalent bond; 
 a′:a is a binding pair; 
 b:b′ is a binding pair, wherein a′ and a do not interfere with the binding of b to b′ and b′ and b do not interfere with the binding of a′ to a; 
 (: X) denotes a functional moiety bound either covalently or via a binding pair to at least one of a′, a, b, b′ or S; and 
 linker a-S-b has a length of 6 to 100 nm. 
 
     
     
         2 . The binding agent of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer S is 1 to 95 nm in length. 
     
     
         3 . The binding agent of  claim 1 , wherein the a′:a binding pair and the b:b′ binding pair are selected from the group consisting of leucine zipper domain dimers and hybridizing nucleic acid sequences. 
     
     
         4 . The binding agent of  claim 1 , wherein the a′:a binding pair and the b:b′ binding pair are hybridizing nucleic acid sequences and wherein the different hybridizing nucleic acid sequences of the a′:a binding pair does not hybridize with the b:b′ binding pair. 
     
     
         5 . The binding agent of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer S is a nucleic acid. 
     
     
         6 . The binding agent of  claim 5 , wherein the a′:a binding pair and the b:b′ binding pair are nucleic acids. 
     
     
         7 . The binding agent of  claim 6 , wherein the monovalent binders A and B are nucleic acids. 
     
     
         8 . The binding agent of  claim 1 , wherein X is a functional moiety selected from the group consisting of a labeling group, a binding group and an effector group. 
     
     
         9 . The binding agent of  claim 1 , wherein the functional moiety X is bound to a, b, or S. 
     
     
         10 . The binding agent of  claim 1 , wherein the functional moiety X is bound to the spacer S. 
     
     
         11 . The binding agent of  claim 1 , wherein the functional moiety X is covalently bound to the spacer S. 
     
     
         12 . The binding agent of  claim 1 , wherein the functional moiety X is bound to the spacer S via a hybridizing nucleic acid. 
     
     
         13 . The binding agent of  claim 1 , wherein the monovalent binders A and B are polypeptides. 
     
     
         14 . The binding agent of  claim 13 , wherein the monovalent binders A and B are Fab-fragments of monoclonal antibodies. 
     
     
         15 . The binding agent of  claim 1 , wherein X is a functional moiety selected from the group consisting of a labeling group, a binding group and an effector group and the monovalent binders A and B are polypeptides.