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Functional cell killing assays

In Vitro assays to measure the ability of immune cells—such as T cells or NK cells—to kill target cells, typically cancer cells. These assays evaluate the effectiveness of immunotherapies or antibodies by quantifying cell death through markers like cytotoxicity, apoptosis, or metabolic activity.
Assays for lead candidate selection with a specific focus on cytotoxicity assays
  • Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay
  • Complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) assay
  • Antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) assay
  • Antigen-specific/recall killing assay
  • 3D spheroid killing assay
Assays established with a variety of cell types

  • Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)
  • T cells
  • Natural killer (NK) cells
  • Neutrophils
  • Macrophages
Experience with a variety of molecule types

  • Monoclonal/bispecific antibodies
  • Antibody-drug conjugates
  • New antibody formats
  • Small molecules
  • Cancer vaccines (peptides, mRNA, lipid nanoparticles [LNPs])

Available platforms / readouts
Comprehensive cell profiling
and functional analysis

Flow cytometry

Target cell tracking, immunophenotyping, intra-cellular cytokine staining, proliferation
96-well plates

 Real-time visualization of
cytotoxicity and cell health

Live cell imaging

Real-time cytotoxicity, apoptosis induction, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production
Multiple formats possible

 Sensitive quantification of
cell viability and death

Luminescence assays

MTT, LDH, ATP assays with plate reader
96-well plates
Precise measurement of immune
activation and recall responses

Antigen-specific response assays

ELISpot, FluoroSpot, pMHC multimer staining, intracellular cytokinestaining (ICS)/multiplex flow cytometry readout

 Expanded capabilities for
downstream analysis

Additional services

Cytokine production via ELISA or multiplexed Luminex® and LEGENDPlex™ assays
Generation of cell pellets or cryopreservation for downstream analysis (cell sorter available)

 Flexible data delivery to meet
your needs

Reporting formats

Raw data
Overview report (PowerPoint with Biostatistics)
Quality controls
Full report (PowerPoint + Word report with Biostatistics)

Our services are tailored to each project. Our team brings years of expertise in recommending the most appropriate assays and optimizing them for your needs. Whether you need an off-the-shelf assay or a custom solution, we can help. Our agile approach ensures that we connect with customers after each stage to determine the next step.

 

Our lab in Gosselies, Belgium holds a Belgian Biobank License and houses >1300 high-quality PBMC samples from healthy donors with 4-digit HLA typing, immunophenotyping and antigen response assessment.
Our services include:

  • In vitro and in silico immunogenicity assays
  • Functional cell-based assays
  • Explorative clinical cellular mediated immunity
  • Consultative services, including theoretical immunogenicity and immunology courses, protocol review and optimization, data analysis and interpretation, and hands-on training on the isolation and cryopreservation of PBMCs from whole blood.