Center for Antibody Therapeutics (CAT)

The Center for Antibody Therapeutics (CAT), housed within the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Pittsburgh, is a key component of the UPMC Immune Transplant and Therapy Center (ITTC) of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
The major goals of the CAT are to discover monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based candidate therapeutics for prevention and treatment of diseases, as well as for diagnostics and research, by using phage and yeast display, hybridoma technology, and single B cell isolation. Underpinning the efforts to achieve these goals will be in-depth understanding of disease mechanisms and the identification and validation of appropriate molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. To achieve maximum therapeutic efficacy and safety, the monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) will be engineered, as required, into various formats including antibody domains, fragments, full-size immunoglobulins, antibody drug conjugates (ADC), antibody-armed chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T) and NK cells (CAR-NK), bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs), bispecific natural killer cell engagers (BiKEs), and fusion proteins. These proteins will be designed, produced and preclinically characterized in the CAT, in collaboration with industry partners through incoming or outgoing contracts.

An important long-term goal is also to develop antibodies against aging. This reflects the decade long-term interest of the CAT Director and is also based on the huge potential of such new therapies for aging populations. The idea is to use antibodies not only against diseases of old age but also to delay aging and extend healthy life span. Recent advances in the understanding of the biology of aging provide the scientific rationale for this an approach. For example, it has been demonstrated that elimination of old cells in mice results in extended life span and healthier organs compared to non-treated animals. Thus, elimination of old cells by antibodies appears to be a promising approach to increase healthy life-span.

Division of Infectious Diseases
Academic Administrative Office

818 Scaife Hall
3550 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Academic Office: 412-383-9062

For Patients: 412-647-7228

Center for Care of Infectious Diseases

Falk Medical Building
3601 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Patient Appointments: 412-647-7228

Main CCID Fax: 412-647-7951