Locations:
SearchAt the forefront of biological therapeutics development, Feng Lin, PhD, of Cleveland Clinic is revolutionizing the field through groundbreaking research in antibody development and strategic industry partnerships. His work spans from innovative cancer treatments to complement-mediated disease therapies, marking a new era in biological therapeutic solutions.
Research Leadership and Expertise
Feng Lin, PhD, a prominent Cleveland Clinic researcher who directs a newly established biologics research program, is pioneering the development of next-generation therapeutic antibodies. With nearly three decades of experience in complement biology and immunology research, Dr. Lin has successfully bridged the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications, leading to multiple commercial ventures and strategic partnerships.
Commercial Ventures and Breakthrough Technologies
Abcon Therapeutics: Advancing Cancer Treatment
Founded in 2020 from Dr. Lin’s work, Abcon Therapeutics focuses on developing innovative antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for treating T-cell lymphoma and inflammatory conditions. The company's lead product targets CD6, a protein found exclusively on T-cells, with a unique mechanism that selectively eliminates pathogenic activated T-cells while sparing normal inactive T-cells. This high specificity and selective targeting approach positions Abcon's technology as a promising therapeutic solution. The company recently secured funding support from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for pre-IND studies, validating the potential of their approach. Beyond their lead program, Abcon plans to develop a comprehensive pipeline of ADCs targeting various types of cancer.
Steelhead Therapeutics: Innovation in Complement Inhibitors
Building on his expertise in complement biology, Dr. Lin founded Steelhead Therapeutics in 2024 as a Cleveland Clinic spin-off company. The company specializes in engineered nanobody-based complement inhibitors for treating complement-mediated diseases. Steelhead's innovative approach has already demonstrated remarkable results, with their lead program showing potency that significantly exceeds existing clinical-stage inhibitors by orders of magnitude. This breakthrough technology has broad therapeutic potential across multiple specialties, including nephrology, dermatology, hematology, and neurology.
Next-Generation Therapeutics: The Promise of Nanobodies
The establishment of the new biologics research program under Dr. Lin's leadership marks a strategic shift in Cleveland Clinic's approach to drug development. While the enterprise has previously focused on small molecule therapeutics, this new research program emphasizes biologics - larger molecular drugs including monoclonal antibodies, nanobodies, and mRNA . According to Dr. Lin, biologics offer several advantages complementing traditional small molecule drugs, including higher success rates and shorter development timelines.
A key focus of Dr. Lin's current work is the development of nanobodies, which he describes as the next generation of therapeutics. These molecules offer several advantages over conventional monoclonal antibodies, including higher affinity, better stability at room temperature, enhanced tumor penetration capabilities, and improved ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. With only one FDA-approved nanobody drug currently on the market, Dr. Lin sees significant opportunity in this emerging field.
Strategic Collaborations Create Promising Future for Humanization Projects
Cleveland Clinic's recent 10-year Master Service Agreement (MSA) with LifeArc, a leading expert in antibody humanization, represents a significant step forward in translating laboratory discoveries into clinical applications. The agreement builds on a successful track record of collaboration between the two organizations since 2019, which has already yielded four humanization projects, with a fifth project underway. "Working with LifeArc is a collaboration. Both sides of the team come together and bring their respective expertise to take the project forward," notes Dr. Lin. LifeArc brings over 30 years of expertise in antibody humanization and engineering, with an impressive track record that includes five licensed medicines currently on the market, including a best-selling cancer treatments, and a new treatment for early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
Under this new agreement, LifeArc will provide its expertise in humanization of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to target key drivers of conditions identified by Cleveland Clinic, including cancer and complement-mediated diseases. This collaboration, along with partnerships with other leading academic institutions, positions Cleveland Clinic as a hub for translational research. These relationships enable the biologics research program to develop new drugs based on targets identified by scientists and create diagnostic tools in collaboration with scientists at the academic institutions.
Dr. Lin's conviction that antibodies and nanobodies could be transformative therapeutic solutions is clear. His vision encompasses using these innovative biologics to treat a broad spectrum of conditions, from cancers and autoimmune diseases to transplant rejection and infectious diseases. Through these initiatives and partnerships, Dr. Lin and Cleveland Clinic are positioning themselves at the forefront of biological therapeutics development, creating a robust pipeline for translating laboratory discoveries into life-changing treatments for patients. The combination of innovative research, strategic partnerships, and commercial ventures represents a comprehensive approach to advancing medical science while creating valuable intellectual property and commercial opportunities.
