Current Topics in Therapeutic Antibodies

BCH2109H

Significant advances in technologies related to antibody discovery and development have allowed therapeutic antibodies to become the fastest growing class of biopharmaceuticals over the last 25 years, with now over 170 FDA-approved antibody therapeutics. Anchored in historical examples of antibody development successes, this course will explore key concepts in the therapeutic antibody R&D pipeline, including 1) strategies to enhance natural antibodies (e.g. glycobiology, chemistry, protein engineering), 2) challenges and opportunities in discovery and developability, 3) therapeutic areas and mechanisms of action (MoA), and 4) targeted delivery and uses of antibody fragments in cell-based therapeutics. Topics for evaluation will focus on the emergence of new antigenic targets, and promising technologies for antibody therapeutic technologies of the future. You will acquire an understanding of antibody therapeutics from their development to deployment, and critically evaluate innovations that are required to overcome limitations of current technologies to pave the way for next-generation antibody therapeutics of global importance

Course Next Offered

Winter 2026

Course Time and Location

Course Times
Dates: Mar 3, Mar 10, Mar 17, Mar 24, Mar 31, Apr 7
Time: 1-3pm

Evaluation Times
Dates: Apr 9
Time: 10am-12pm and 2-4pm

Course Location:
Building: Hospital for Sick Children, PGCRL
Room: TBD


Enrollment Limit

Yes — 18

Method of Student Evaluation

40%: Oral presentation – 5-slides TED Talk on selected topic
40%: Written assignment – 5-page review on selected topic
20%: Participation

Coordinator

Jean-Philippe Julien

Jean-Philippe Julien

Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning (PGCRL), Room 20-9703
686 Bay St.
416-813-7654, ext. 309424
jean-philippe.julien@sickkids.ca

Last Updated 24 July 2025