Anticalin technology

Anticalins are derived from human lipocalins, a family of low molecular weight proteins that are naturally and abundantly expressed in human tissues and body fluids. Lipocalins have evolved to perform a range of functions in vivo which are associated with the physiological transport and storage of chemically sensitive or insoluble compounds. They have a robust intrinsic structure comprising a highly conserved ß-barrel which supports four loops at one terminus of the protein. These loops form the entrance to a binding pocket. 

 

Using sophisticated library design technologies, Pieris is able to generate Anticalins for different target classes, spanning the whole range from haptens to proteins. Modifications (green) in the loop regions accommodate surface binding of proteins (pink), while modifications in the binding pocket allow specific complexation of small molecules (red).