Researchers from The Jackson Laboratory and University Hospital Oslo recently published a study demonstrating how human FcRn transgenic Tg32 mice can accelerate the development of next-generation biologics using an engineered erythropoietin (EPO)-albumin fusion protein. The study showed that enhancing albumin’s interaction with human FcRn significantly extended the drug’s half-life, increased systemic exposure, and prolonged its biological activity. Importantly, these FcRn-mediated effects could be accurately measured because the researchers used Tg32 mice, which express human FcRn and provide a more clinically relevant model for evaluating human albumin- and Fc-based therapeutics.
Key takeaways:
This work underscores how specialized humanized mouse models can bridge the gap between discovery and the clinic, helping researchers make more informed decisions earlier in the development process.