Gandeeva and Zymeworks Use Cryo-EM to Accelerate Antibody Drug Discovery

Rhea-AI Summary

Vancouver-based biotechs Gandeeva Therapeutics and Zymeworks (Nasdaq: ZYME) have partnered to use cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to support antibody drug discovery.

Gandeeva determined the structure of a small, flexible antigen (< 20 kDa) bound to a Zymeworks antibody Fab, resolving a nine–amino acid epitope at 2.6 Å, enabling more informed antibody selection and AI-driven antibody optimization.

Market Context

This announcement reinforces ZYME’s focus on high-resolution antibody engineering, using cryo-EM to ...

Analysis

This announcement reinforces ZYME’s focus on high-resolution antibody engineering, using cryo-EM to resolve 9-residue epitopes at 2.6 Å. Investors may watch for how this platform supports future ADCs alongside prior ZW191 data.

Key Figures

Antigen size: < 20 kDa Epitope amino acids: 9 amino acids Cryo-EM resolution: 2.6 Å

3 metrics

Antigen size < 20 kDa Small and flexible antigen studied by cryo-EM

Epitope amino acids 9 amino acids Antibody-binding epitope visualized on the antigen

Cryo-EM resolution 2.6 Å Resolution achieved for the antibody-binding epitope structure

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jun 14 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jun 14	Clinical trial update	Positive	+1.7%	Strong Phase 1 ZW191 efficacy data in ovarian and endometrial cancers.
May 14	Share repurchase plan	Positive	-0.1%	New $125M buyback authorization and recap of prior repurchases.
May 13	Investor conferences	Neutral	+2.8%	Participation in multiple oncology and healthcare investor events.
May 07	Earnings and update	Negative	-10.2%	Q1 2026 results with low revenue and wider net loss guidance context.
Apr 21	Clinical trial data	Positive	+0.2%	Phase 1 ZW191 data showing strong anti-tumor activity and tolerability.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent ZYME news shows modest positive reactions to clinical/conference updates but a sharply negative move on the latest earnings report.

Key Terms

cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-em, antibody-antigen interfaces, fab fragment, +1 more

5 terms

cryo-electron microscopy technical

"a biotech at the forefront of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM)–driven drug design"

A technique that makes extremely detailed, three‑dimensional 'photographs' of biological molecules by freezing them and scanning them with an electron beam, revealing shapes too small for ordinary microscopes. For investors, it matters because knowing precise molecular structures speeds drug and vaccine discovery, helps companies design more effective therapies, and can reduce development risk and time—similar to having an exact blueprint before building a complex machine.

cryo-em technical

"cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM)–driven drug design, and Zymeworks Inc."

Cryo-EM is a laboratory imaging technique that rapidly freezes biological molecules and uses an electron microscope to produce very detailed, three-dimensional pictures of their shapes, like taking high-resolution 3D photographs of microscopic machines. For investors, cryo-EM matters because it speeds and clarifies drug and vaccine discovery by showing exactly how potential medicines interact with targets, reducing scientific uncertainty, guiding development decisions, and potentially increasing the value of research programs and intellectual property.

antibody-antigen interfaces technical

"have partnered to visualize structures of antibody-antigen interfaces at high resolution"

The antibody-antigen interface is the specific contact area where an antibody molecule physically binds to a target substance (antigen), like two puzzle pieces fitting together. The shape and stickiness of that contact determine how well a drug, diagnostic test, or immune response recognizes and neutralizes the target, so investors watch it as a key factor in a therapy’s effectiveness, dosing, safety profile and intellectual property value.

fab fragment technical

"bound to the Fab fragment of an antibody developed at Zymeworks"

A Fab fragment is the portion of an antibody that binds to a specific target, produced by cutting a whole antibody into a smaller, single-handed piece. For investors, Fab fragments matter because they are used as smaller, more nimble drug and diagnostic components—they can reach tissues more easily and be manufactured or regulated differently than full antibodies, which affects development timelines, costs and commercial potential.

epitope medical

"visualize the nine amino acids that form the antibody-binding epitope at 2.6 Å resolution"

An epitope is the specific spot on a virus, protein, or other foreign molecule that the immune system recognizes and binds to, like a tiny patch on a soccer ball that a glove grips. For investors, epitopes matter because vaccines, antibody drugs and diagnostic tests are designed to target these precise spots; which epitope is chosen affects a product’s effectiveness, safety, patent protection and commercial potential.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Vancouver-based biotech companies Gandeeva Therapeutics and Zymeworks have partnered to generate cryo-EM–based structural data to augment antibody drug discovery.

VANCOUVER, BC, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Gandeeva Therapeutics, Inc., a biotech at the forefront of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM)–driven drug design, and Zymeworks Inc. (Nasdaq: ZYME), a global biotechnology company, have partnered to visualize structures of antibody-antigen interfaces at high resolution.

While cryo-EM is now used routinely to determine structures of antibody complexes formed with compact and well-folded antigens, mapping antibody epitope footprints on small and flexible antigens remains highly challenging. In a new advance, Gandeeva scientists have determined the structure of a small and flexible antigen (< 20 kDa) bound to the Fab fragment of an antibody developed at Zymeworks. Of note, the team was able to visualize the nine amino acids that form the antibody-binding epitope at 2.6 Å resolution. The rest of the antigen is highly flexible and was not resolved in the reconstruction.

"Knowledge of the precise interactions at the binding interface of these types of challenging targets is incredibly useful for us in selecting antibody leads and provides us with crucial insights for the optimization of biologics", said Dr. Paul Moore, Chief Scientific Officer of Zymeworks.

"Our ability to obtain near-atomic resolution cryo-EM structures of the antibody binding epitope within flexible and structurally intractable proteins is a game-changer, especially in the context of accelerating design of AI-driven antibodies", said Dr. Sriram Subramaniam, Founder and CEO of Gandeeva Therapeutics. "Experimental validation by high-resolution and high-throughput cryo-EM using Gandeeva's platform provides exactly the kind of rapid feedback that is essential for testing and validating antibodies derived by immunization and by computational design."

About Gandeeva

Gandeeva Therapeutics is a drug discovery company leveraging cryo-EM to advance the development of precision medicines. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Gandeeva operates from a purpose-built facility equipped with state-of-the-art cryo-EM instrumentation. Founded by Dr. Sriram Subramaniam, a global expert in structural biology, Gandeeva's mission is to uncover atomic-level insights into protein-drug interactions and accelerate therapeutic development for challenging diseases. Its proprietary platform streamlines structure-to-drug workflows, enabling rapid, iterative analysis of complex biological targets, including transient protein interfaces and membrane proteins. By integrating high-resolution imaging with advanced machine learning, Gandeeva supports the design of molecular glues, engineered antibodies, and small molecules to modulate protein function with precision and efficacy. Gandeeva applies its platform to its own drug development and partners with other biotechnology and pharma companies to accelerate their drug development programs.

For more information, visit www.gandeeva.com or follow on LinkedIn and @Gandeeva_Tx on X.

About Zymeworks

Zymeworks is a global biotechnology company managing a portfolio of licensed healthcare assets and developing a diverse pipeline of novel, multifunctional biotherapeutics to improve the standard of care for difficult-to-treat diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune disease. Zymeworks asset and royalty aggregation strategy focuses on optimizing positive future cash flows from an emerging portfolio of licensed products such as Ziihera^® (zanidatamab-hrii) and other licensed products and product candidates, such as pasritamig. In addition, Zymeworks is also building a portfolio of healthcare assets that can generate strong cash flows, while supporting the development of innovative medicines. Zymeworks is rapidly advancing a robust pipeline of product candidates, leveraging its expertise in both antibody drug conjugates and multispecific antibody therapeutics targeting novel pathways in areas of significant unmet medical need. Zymeworks complementary therapeutic platforms and fully integrated drug development engine provide the flexibility and compatibility to precisely engineer and develop highly differentiated antibody-based therapeutics. These capabilities have been further leveraged through strategic partnerships with global biopharmaceutical companies. For information about Zymeworks, visit www.zymeworks.com and follow @ZymeworksInc on X.

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SOURCE Gandeeva Therapeutics Inc.

FAQ

What did Zymeworks (NASDAQ: ZYME) announce with Gandeeva about cryo-EM antibody discovery?

Zymeworks and Gandeeva announced a partnership to use cryo-EM structural data to support antibody drug discovery. According to both companies, Gandeeva visualized a small antigen bound to a Zymeworks antibody Fab, resolving a nine–amino acid epitope at 2.6 Å resolution.

How does the Gandeeva and Zymeworks cryo-EM collaboration help antibody drug discovery for ZYME?

The collaboration provides high-resolution structures of antibody–antigen interfaces to guide antibody lead selection. According to Zymeworks, precise binding-interface knowledge offers crucial insights for optimizing biologic candidates, including antibodies derived by immunization and computational design, potentially streamlining early discovery decisions.

What technical milestone did Gandeeva and Zymeworks report in June 2026 for ZYME antibodies?

They reported solving the structure of a small (< 20 kDa), flexible antigen bound to a Zymeworks antibody Fab. According to Gandeeva, they visualized nine epitope amino acids at 2.6 Å resolution, despite the rest of the antigen remaining highly flexible and unresolved.

Why is resolving a nine–amino acid epitope at 2.6 Å important for Zymeworks (ZYME)?

Resolving a nine–amino acid epitope at 2.6 Å enables detailed mapping of antibody–antigen contacts. According to Zymeworks, this level of structural insight is useful for selecting antibody leads and optimizing biologics, especially for challenging, flexible targets in drug discovery.

How could Gandeeva’s cryo-EM platform support AI-driven antibody design for Zymeworks (ZYME)?

Gandeeva’s platform provides high-throughput, near-atomic cryo-EM structures of antibody epitopes, offering rapid experimental feedback. According to Gandeeva, this validation is essential for testing antibodies generated by AI and computational design, potentially improving design cycles and structure-based optimization strategies.

What challenge in antibody structural biology are Zymeworks and Gandeeva addressing with cryo-EM?

They are addressing the difficulty of mapping epitopes on small, flexible antigens using structural methods. According to the companies, their work shows cryo-EM can resolve binding epitopes on such targets, even when large parts of the antigen remain flexible and unresolved.