We developed our multimeric ligand technology to facilitate discovery of VLR monoclonal antibodies that bind glycans and distinguish closely related glycan structures. The technology utilizes a scaffold that allows covalent attachment of a predetermined number of ligand molecules, typically > 6 ligands per scaffold, which may be identical or distinct structures, such that each attached ligand molecule is available for binding to a cellular receptor without impeding the binding of other attached ligand molecules to other cellular receptor molecules (see Figure). This creates a highly multivalent attachment of the multimeric ligand scaffold to cells that express receptors that bind the attached ligand(s) and enables (1) identification and isolation of receptors for ligands of interest, (2) identification and isolation of cells that express those receptors, (3) targeting cells and tissues that express ligand-specific receptors to induce a signaling event or deliver a cell modifying agent, including a therapeutic, a gene, or gene-modifying agent, and (4) delivery of antigens to immune cells for inducing immunity or antigen-specific tolerance.

Multimeric ligand technology consists of a scaffold that displays multiple copies of a ligand(s) attached to tags that enable detection/isolation along with bound receptors and (optionally) identification of the ligand present.