MI2026 - Edmund Neo

Edmund Neo
Immunology Sales Manager
ProImmune
Singapore

Title (1):
An Integrated Approach to Adaptive Immunogenicity Assessment for Biologics and Peptide Therapeutics

Abstract (1):
Immunogenicity remains one of the most complex and critical challenges in drug design and development, requiring the strategic integration of complementary platforms to effectively mitigate risk for biologics and peptide therapeutics. In this presentation, I will share case studies demonstrating ProImmune’s comprehensive suite of adaptive immunogenicity assessment capabilities.

ProImmune also brings extensive expertise in ultra-sensitive CFSE-based T cell proliferation assays. The ProMap® T cell proliferation assay is routinely used to precisely identify CD4+ T cell epitopes and is filed with the FDA as a Drug Master File (DMF), facilitating streamlined referencing for complex generic peptide ANDA submissions. In addition, the advanced ProScern® dendritic cell-T cell proliferation assay enables detailed comparative assessment of whole proteins to evaluate immunogenicity risk. The Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction (MLR) assay further complements this toolkit as a cornerstone method for assessing immune modulation.

Together with ProPresent® MHC-associated peptide proteomics (MAPPS), REVEAL® HLA-peptide binding and functional T cell assays, these platforms provide a fully integrated and mechanistic understanding of adaptive immune responses. By combining peptide presentation, HLA binding, and T cell activation data, ProImmune delivers a holistic view of immunogenicity risk.

Attendees will gain practical insights into how this integrated suite of assays can be applied to characterize adaptive immunogenicity, supporting informed decision-making and risk mitigation throughout the development lifecycle.

Title (2):
Ankyrons®: Unlocking Challenging Protein Targets with Precision and Speed

Abstract (2):
The identification of novel and complex protein targets in drug discovery increasingly exposes the limitations of conventional antibody generation, particularly for targets that are poorly immunogenic or structurally challenging. These challenges can delay target validation and introduce risk into early-stage development. Ankyrons are engineered recombinant binding proteins (~15 kDa) designed to overcome these constraints, providing high-affinity, target-specific reagents in a rapid and scalable format.

Selected from ProImmune’s highly diverse TeraLibrary™ (~10¹² variants) using ribosome display, Ankyrons enable fully in vitro, high-throughput binder generation without the need for immunising animals. This allows accelerated targeting of difficult or novel antigens, including pathogen-derived proteins and emerging therapeutic targets, supporting faster progression from target identification to functional validation.

Their small size and robust biophysical properties offer advantages in tissue penetration and epitope accessibility. Ankyrons are readily deployable alongside antibodies across standard assay platforms including flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, Western Blot, ELISA immunohistochemistry and more. They can be engineered into multivalent or multispecific formats to support more complex assay designs and therapeutic hypotheses.

For drug developers, Ankyrons provide a flexible and cost-effective solution for de-risking early discovery by enabling precise epitope mapping, target engagement studies, and biomarker assay development. Their applicability across multiple species also supports translational studies and cross-species validation strategies.

In this presentation, we will present case studies illustrating how Ankyrons® have been applied to previously intractable targets, accelerating target validation, informing candidate selection, and supporting downstream assay development. Attendees will gain practical insight into integrating Ankyrons® into drug discovery workflows to enhance speed, confidence, and decision-making.

Biography:
Edmund Neo is the Immunology Sales Manager at ProImmune, based in Singapore, where he oversees the company’s activities across the Asia-Pacific region. He graduated from the National University of Singapore and began his career at Abbott Laboratories, conducting research on the impact of mineral fortification on the aggregation of dairy proteins.

Since joining ProImmune in 2019, Edmund has been instrumental in supporting both academic and industry partners in addressing immunological challenges associated with biologics and therapeutic development. Through close collaboration with clients, he has contributed to advancing research strategies and enabling successful outcomes across a diverse range of projects. His work focuses on bridging scientific insight with practical application to support innovation in immunology and drug development.