Characterization services Developability, binding, and functional assays power the selection process

Every project is unique. You need all the information you can get to choose the best candidate from the hundreds we’ve built for you. It’s a needle in a haystack.

We have the assays and the experts trained to deliver and interpret them to separate the winners from the losers. There’s no need to send them to another lab when the antibody engineers who created them can characterize them for you. One contract, one team, one set of materials. No delays.

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WHY INVENRA FOR CHARACTERIZATION Built for multispecific work. Run by people who already speak the language.

Multispecific discovery is complex enough without coordinating multiple CROs. Our characterization services are the perfect complement to multispecific programs, and our scientists built the methods on real programs.

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One team, one set of agreements.

Skip the hassle of coordinating multiple CROs, juggling separate agreements, and shipping materials between sites. Everything runs under a single contract with a single point of contact.

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We already know your molecule.

If you run discovery or expression work with us, the characterization team starts with full context: sequence history, format choices, expression behavior, and what’s already been measured, saving valuable time.

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Built on multispecific programs.

These assays exist because multispecific discovery demands them. Our scientific team developed a comprehensive assay collection by running real multispecific programs. They know what characterization data actually matter for bispecific and trispecific molecules.

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Standard, bundled, or custom.

Order individual assays, pick a prebuilt bundle for common workflows, or work with our team to design a characterization plan specific to your program. 

CHARACTERIZATION SERVICES Three categories of characterization

Most programs draw from all three. Choose individual assays, prebuilt bundles, or work with our team to design a plan for your specific molecule.

Developability characterization

Will your molecule survive what comes next?

Biophysical characterization predicts how your molecule will behave through cell line development and manufacturing. Our biophysical scientists bring deep knowledge of HPLC, mass spec, SPR (Carterra), Tm/Tagg (UnCLE), and the full instrumentation stack.

We have high-throughput methods as well as more sensitive approaches depending on where you are in the development path.

Key properties

  • Sequence Liability
  • Expression and purity
  • Thermostability
  • Self-Association and Aggregation
  • Solubility and Viscosity
  • Immunogenicity
  • General Stability

Developability / Biophysical Assay Menu

Property Assay Technique Format
Expression and Purity Titer - Absorbance Plate-based
Expression and Purity Purity by capillary electrophoresis Both
Expression and Purity HPLC-SEC Individual
Expression and Purity Intact Mass LCMS Individual
Thermal Stability Tm by QPCR Plate-based
Thermal Stability UnCLE (intrinsic fluorescence and light scattering) Individual
Self-Association AC-SINS (plasmon resonance) Individual
Self-Association HPLC-SEC Individual
Aggregation HPLC-SEC Individual
Aggregation PAIA aggregation assay Plate-based
Aggregation UnCLE (intrinsic fluorescence and light scattering) Individual
Solubility Formulation with max concentration Individual
Immunogenicity Risk In silico evaluation Plate-based
Immunogenicity Risk Donor assay Individual
Immunogenicity Risk Cytokine release assay Individual
Viscosity Formulation with rheometry Individual
Sequence Liability Peptide mapping by LCMS Individual
General Stability Accelerated stability, storage stability, freeze/thaw stability Individual

Binding Characterization

How do I know binding performance?

To select molecules with the right binding characteristics, we run quantitative binding analysis at every stage: high-throughput screens early, individual protein characterization later, all on the same instrumentation. Our assays assess affinity, specificity, and epitope mapping.

Key capabilities

  • Kinetic binding
  • Ligand blocking
  • Cell binding
  • Epitope binning (against benchmarks or all-by-all)
  • Single-concentration screening
  • Per-sample or 96-plate workflows

Binding Assay Menu

Assay Deliverable Format
Carterra Kinetics Binding kinetic values and sensograms for all samples High-Throughput (plate-based)
Carterra Ligand Blocking or Binning Against Benchmark Antibodies  Molecule binding to one target protein and binned against up to 4 receptor ligands or benchmark antibodies  High-Throughput (plate-based)
Carterra All By All Binning  Assignment of epitope bins for all test samples  High-Throughput (plate-based)
ELISA Cell Binding Quantitative cell binding assessment High-Throughput (plate-based)
Octet Protein Binding Characterization  Yes/no binding to recombinant target protein measured at a single concentration Individual Tests
Octet Protein Binding Characterization With KD Estimated KD value from binding to recombinant target protein measured at multiple test concentrations Individual Tests
Flow Cytrometry or ELISA Cell Binding  Binding assay data for test samples to one cell line.  Individual Tests

Biological characterization

Does your molecule deliver the right biology?

Cell-based assays and immunology workflows help you understand how your molecule behaves in a biological context. Built around oncology and immunology programs, with deep expertise in the assay formats that matter for multispecific work.

Key capabilities

  • Checkpoint inhibitors
  • T-Cell engagement
  • ADCC / ADCP
  • Cytokine release
  • PK/PD studies
  • In vivo efficacy studies for oncology and I&I 

Biological / Immunology Assay Menu

Assay Readouts Details
ADCC
  • Cytotoxicity 
  • Cytokine
  • Degranulation (CD107a)
  • Primary PBMCs or NK cells or cell line (KHYG-1 OE CD16 (158V))
  • High throughput primary screen
  • Adapted for effector-less IgG checkpoint inhibitor
  • Flow and Incucyte-based cytotoxicity assays available
ADCP
  • Phagocytosis (Incucyte)
  • Phagocytosis (Flow-based)
  • Cytokine
  • Primary Macrophages
  • Kinetic analysis
  • Effector-driven IgG screen; characterization
  • Multi-target evaluation
Acute re-stimulation (exhausted) T cell Assay
  • Cytokine
  • Flow-based
  • Repeat stim of PBMC-derived T cells
  • Surrogate for Ag-specific assay
MLR, superantigens, T cell engagers
  • Activation/ Degranulation
  • Proliferation
  • Cytotoxicity
  • Cytokine
  • Flow-based assay
  • Possible to combine with IO targets
  • Secondary screen/ characterization
Cytokine signaling
  • pSTAT5 signaling
  • CD8, CD4, Treg selectivity with pSTAT5 and proliferation assays (Flow-based)
  • Use for cytokine-directed therapies
PBMC phenotyping and differentiation
  • Flow-based
  • Cytokine
  • Identify immune cell subsets based on surface or internal markers
Cytokine release assay
  • MSD V-plex Proinflammatory Panel 1 Human Kit 
  • Evaluate antibodies in both soluble and wet-coated formats for the induction of IFN-𝛾, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, and TNF-α
High-throughput pathway screening and ADC assessment
  • Luminescence
  • Fluorescence 
  • NFAT, NF-κB, IL2, FcγRs reporter-based assays
  • Blockade, Activation
  • Incucyte-based internalization
  • ADC-driven cytotoxicity evaluation

Matched to your needs The right technique for where your program is

Your characterization needs may change as a molecule moves through development. Early on, you want fast, high-throughput reads across many candidates. In the middle, you need deeper analytical work on the molecules that survive. At the lead stage, the formulation and stability data support a development decision. Our biophysical techniques map all three.

High throughput
96+ samples · early screening
  • Capillary electrophoresis
  • Aggregation
  • Hydrophobicity
  • Polyreactivity
  • Melting temperature
  • In silico sequence liability
  • In silico sequence immunogenicity
At mg scale
Individual proteins · mid-program
  • Analytical size exclusion
  • Analytical hydrophobic interaction
  • Analytical strong cation exchange
  • Analytical single monolayer affinity
  • Differential scanning fluorimetry
  • Self-association (AC-SINS)
  • Endotoxin testing
  • Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry
Lead stage
Final candidate · development-ready
  • Formulation
  • Peptide mapping and sequence liability testing
  • Long-term stability (6 months +)
  • Accelerated stability
  • Process step stability
  • Viscosity

Prebuilt Bundles Common workflows, pre-packaged

For programs that don’t need a fully custom characterization plan, prebuilt bundles cover the most common needs at fixed pricing. Mix and match with individual assays. Custom bundles are available on request. Talk to our team about your specific program.

Binding Screen

Yes/No Bundle

Yes/no binding to recombinant target protein by Octet at a single test concentration. Per-sample pricing. Minimum 8 samples.

Epitope Binning

Binning Bundle — 2 molecules

Carterra-based binning of 2 molecules against benchmark antibodies or each other. Ideal for early-stage characterization of the competitive landscape.

Epitope Binning

Binning Bundle — 10 molecules

Scaled-up Carterra binning workflow for 10 molecules. All-by-all binning is also available for the full epitope landscape.

Developability

Extended Developability

Adds HPLC-HIC, HPLC-SCX, HPLC-SMAC, PDI, Z-Ave, Tm, Tagg, and Mass Spec.

How it works Scoped to your program, refined as you go

Most characterization plans evolve over time. The early-stage molecule needs different data than the lead candidate, and what we learn in one round informs what we run in the next.

Scoping call

Tell us about the program — molecule format, biology, where you are in development, and what decisions you’re trying to make. We recommend a characterization plan based on multispecific expertise.

Custom plan + quote

Get a mix of individual assays, bundles, or custom workflows depending on what your program needs. Timeline and pricing are detailed up front. Scale adapts to the number of molecules.

Run, review, refine

Regular check-ins as the data comes in. We can extend, contract, or pivot the plan based on what we learn together without re-papering the agreement each time.

Characterization of externally developed antibodies

Whether you made your monoclonal, bispecific or trispecific antibodies with Invenra, made them yourself or had them made elsewhere, we can deliver high-quality assays performed by our expert team. Simply choose your assays, send us your material, and we will get you results faster than you can do it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions Quick answers to initial questions

What characterization do I need?

Each program is different. Tell us about the molecule, where you are in development, and what decisions you're trying to make. We'll recommend a plan based on what's worked for similar multispecific programs.

Can I send you molecules from another source for characterization?

Yes. We're happy to discuss your needs and the path forward, whether the material came from us or somewhere else.

What kinds of characterization are available?

Three categories cover most needs: biological (functional cell-based and immunology), developability (biophysical), and binding. Within each, you can choose individual assays, prebuilt bundles, or custom workflows.

How long does it take?

It depends on the scope. A single-assay Yes/No binding screen runs quickly. A full developability + binding + functional package on multiple molecules takes longer. We give you a timeline up front with the quote.

Dive Deeper Related services and resources

Find mAbs first

mAb Discovery

Generate fully-human mAb binders, then characterize them here before advancing to bispecific or trispecific work.

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Platform explainer

B-Body® Discovery

Full bispecific discovery with matrix screening. Most programs add characterization to support lead selection and the CLD handoff.

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Three targets

T-Body™ Discovery

Trispecific discovery programs with three binding arms and more complex biology. Characterization is where you confirm the molecule does what the design intended.

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Program Spotlights A growing list of satisfied scientists

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Sean Ronnekleiv-Kelly, MDSurgical Oncology, University of Wisconsin SMPH

“The team at Invenra is highly professional, timely with milestones, demonstrate clear expertise and scientific rigor, and offer an extraordinarily unique platform that has yielded high-confidence results, despite an exceedingly challenging target.”

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Ravi V. Kolla, PhDImmunologist and B.D. Professional

“Invenra and its technology are top-notch. I have and will continue to recommend the Invenra team to anyone seeking novel antibody discovery, bispecific and trispecific antibody development, and novel ADC development.”

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CEOStartup in Stealth Mode

"Top-tier platform combined with top-tier people. A team that has collaborated to drive our programs forward with speed and scientific rigor, even providing services like specialized in vitro assays and efficacy models."

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CEOStartup in Stealth Mode

"The level of customization and partnership support is unparalleled relative to the other groups we evaluated for our company."

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VP R&DTop-Tier CDMO

“We have worked with over 20 platforms, and the B-Body was the highest-yielding, easiest to work with bispecific platform.”

Get in touch Have a molecule you need characterized?

Just tell us what you need — whether it’s a single binding assay or a full developability + immunology package. We’ll put together a quote.

Your information is 100% confidential.

We don't share your data with third parties, add you to marketing lists without permission, or contact you about anything other than this request. Target biology is treated as confidential. Need an NDA first? Just say so. We'll send one over.