Four modules, one mechanism
From molecular structure and targeting to uptake, killing and the bystander effect—one module per step, each in stages you can scrub to any moment.
Principles·Pharma & biotech
Pharma & Biotech Principle Animation:Antibody–Drug Conjugate (ADC) Lab
A new drug’s mechanism has to be explained to reviewers, investors, clinicians and partners—but what happens inside molecules and cells is invisible, and the steps are hard to connect. This lab draws the full mechanism of an antibody–drug conjugate in code: how the molecule is built, how it finds tumour cells, how the payload is released inside, and how it reaches neighbouring cells—in four steps.
Binding, intracellular payload, cell survival and drug levels are computed live from receptor binding, first-order kinetics and dose–response models, using typical literature values. Drag the target density or DAR, or switch the linker, and the visuals and curves respond. Your own mechanism can be made the same way—as video, GIFs or a web demo.
ForPharma, biotech, vaccine makers, CROs
ADC MECHANISM LAB
Antibody–drug conjugate (ADC)Structure, targeting, release and killing
IgG1 · 150 kDa · cysteine-linked · Kd 1 nM · microtubule-inhibitor payload
EXPERIMENT 01EXPERIMENT 02EXPERIMENT 03EXPERIMENT 04
An ADC molecule has three parts
Reaching the tumour and binding cells rich in target
Taken up by the cell, payload freed in the lysosome
Payload breaks microtubules, cells die—and neighbours too
AntibodyLinkerPayloadA whole batchArrive in bloodLeave the vesselBind the targetEndocytosisEndosomeLysosomePayload releaseMicrotubules breakApoptosisBystander effectSelective killingToo little tumour killNormal cells harmed
AntibodyAntigen-binding siteLinkerPayload
Tumour cellNormal cellsTarget antigenADC
Endosome (pH 6)Lysosome (pH 5)LinkerPayload
Target-positive tumour cellTarget-negative tumour cellNormal cellsPayload
Antigen-binding siteAntibody (IgG)Linker on a cysteineCleavage site, cut in the lysosomeNon-cleavable: needs full antibody breakdownPayload: microtubule inhibitorSelf-immolative spacerStable thioether linkUnconjugated antibodyTotal payloads ÷ antibodies = average DARTumour vesselADC in circulationLeaky wall lets ADC into tissueTarget (surface antigen)Tumour cell: many targetsNormal cell: few targetsMembrane pits inADC bound to targetEndocytic vesicleEarly endosome, turning acidicLysosome: acidic, full of proteasesLinker cut by enzymesAntibody fully digestedFreed payload binds microtubulesPayload crosses into the neighbourCharged payload stays insideMicrotubuleMicrotubules break, mitosis stallsTarget-negative tumour cellApoptosis: cell shrinks, nucleus fragmentsNormal cells largely sparedPayload diffuses in, negative cells die tooNo payload arrives, negative cells survivePayload is only a few % of the massThese tumour cells have few targets tooToo little payload, most cells survive
Before conjugation: all D0More payload, later peakTumour cellNormal cellsKd: half occupiedLevel in tumourStill on antibodyFree payload insideDiffused outTarget-positiveTarget-negative (bystander)Normal cellsIC50
↑ Share (%)Bound (×10⁴ per cell)Share of bound dose (%)Survival (%)Retention time (min)ADC concentration (nM, log)Time (h)ADC concentration (nM, log) →
ADC in bloodPayload in tumourFree payload in blood
↑ Concentration (nM, log)Days after dosing →
0%
What to watch
The antibody finds the target, the payload does the killing, and the linker holds them together. Within one batch each antibody carries a different number of payloads—DAR is the average. More payload means more hydrophobic and a later HIC peak. Try DAR 2 or 8.
Leaky tumour vessels let ADCs into the tissue. Tumour cells often carry tens of times more target than normal cells, so they bind tens of times more ADC—this is where selectivity comes from. Drag the target density to its minimum and see.
Bound targets are wrapped into vesicles and carried via endosomes to lysosomes, which get more acidic along the way. A cleavable linker is cut quickly by lysosomal enzymes and the freed payload can cross membranes; a non-cleavable one waits for the whole antibody to be digested, and its charged payload stays inside. Switch linkers to compare.
The payload binds tubulin, microtubules fall apart, the cell stalls in mitosis and then dies. Some tumour cells never express the target: payload freed by a cleavable linker diffuses over and kills them too; a non-cleavable one mostly cannot. Normal cells take up too little to be killed.
01ABOUT THIS LAB
What’s in this lab
Numbers computed live
Binding, intracellular payload, survival and drug levels come from the models; the HIC trace, curves and drawing share the same numbers.
Drag parameters, see results
Target density, DAR and linker type are adjustable, so you can show “what if the target is scarce” or “is a higher DAR always better” on the spot.
One build, many formats
The same lab records as 4K mechanism video, splits into step GIFs, or runs on your website, a congress booth or a pitch.
02WHO USES IT
How pharma & biotech clients use principle animation
Pharma, biotech, vaccine makers, CROs
Mechanism of action, medical marketing, physician education, fundraising
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Page updated 2026-10-24