New potency assays for anti-VEGF antibodies

Introduction and Background
The group of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) plays a crucial role in the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), since they stimulate the growth, i.e. the division and migration of endothelial cells, as the name already suggests. Since some tumor types can better supply themselves with nutrients via increased angiogenesis and thus grow faster, anti-VEGF antibodies represent significant cancer therapeutics. However, the various types of cancer are not the only indication; enhanced angiogenesis is also important in certain eye diseases.
Anti-VEGF antibodies or fragments include bevacizumab (Avastin®), ranibizumab (Lucentis®) or aflibercept (Eylea®) and an increasing number of biosimilars already on the market and in late-stage clinical trials, such as Mvasi®, Zirabev® or BevaciRel®.