The long blood circulation time of albumin has been clinically utilized as a half-life extension technology for improved drug performance. The availability of one free thiol for site-selective chemical conjugation offers an alternative approach to current genetic fusion and association-based products. This special report highlights important factors for successful conjugation that allows the reader to design and evaluate next-generation albumin conjugates. Albumin type, available conjugation chemistries, linker length, animal models and influence of conjugation on albumin pharmacokinetics and drug activity are discussed.
Keywords: albumin; conjugation; cysteine 34; half-life extension; in vivo models; neonatal Fc receptor.