Multispecific antibodies push CDMOs to redesign development platforms

Manufacturers are moving beyond traditional monoclonal-antibody platforms as multispecific therapeutics gain traction. The new design model relies on molecular engineering, advanced analytics, and intensified upstream and downstream processes.

Bispecific antibodies were the first generation of multitarget biologics and saw a surge of programs from Chinese biotech firms between 2020 and 2025. During that period contract research and development organizations such as WuXi Biologics, Lonza Biologics and Samsung Biologics launched technology platforms for bispecific and multispecific development.

The emerging wave now includes trispecifics, T-cell engagers with co-stimulation, NK cell engagers and dual agonists. These formats introduce additional challenges such as chain mispairing, instability and product heterogeneity, prompting CDMOs to overhaul their development architectures.

Overall, the shift underscores a broader industry move toward more complex biologics that demand deeper engineering and analytical capabilities.