The protein engineering process initially involves a thorough understanding of the biological system of interest and involves an extensive system-related structure and data gathering effort that provides the groundwork for knowledge-driven model building and refinement. Different components in the ZymeCAD™ platform are applied to the resultant molecular model to calibrate a variety of biophysical characteristics compared to known experimental data about the system. The technique iteratively refines the quality of structural models using a tight integration of data and simulation-driven insights, providing a greater degree of realism for rational protein engineering.
Protein Engineering
Zymeworks' protein engineering process uses a unique two-expert approach. Proprietary biophysical insight into the protein system and targets is generated by the ZymeCAD™ platform. In-house protein engineers then use the detailed insight gained from the ZymeCAD™ platform to make knowledge-based decisions regarding structural modifications. Zymeworks’ rigorous analysis of structural data coupled with ZymeCAD™ based computational modeling of protein dynamics, energetics and thermodynamics effectively expands the scope of traditional structure guided protein optimization. The successes in the development of the Azymetric™, AlbuCORE™, and EFECT™ platforms as well as critical contributions in the optimization of pipeline candidates points to the strength and the invaluable nature of Zymeworks' protein engineering process.