Master Thesis Project: Antibody Developability

At BioArctic, we combine scientific curiosity with a commitment to developing new treatments for diseases with large unmet needs such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and ALS. As an innovative Swedish biopharma company, we offer you the opportunity to conduct your Master Thesis project in a research environment where science has a clear purpose.

About the project

BioArctic is offering a Master Thesis project focusing on the developability assessment of antibodies with varying molecular complexity.

Developability studies are an important part of antibody discovery and development, helping to identify molecular properties that may affect stability, manufacturability, and suitability for large-scale production. Engineered and more complex antibody formats may be particularly sensitive to conditions that can lead to aggregation, structural changes, or loss of biological activity.

The aim of this Master Thesis project is to investigate how different antibody molecules respond to selected forced degradation and stress conditions. The antibodies will be evaluated in different buffer conditions and exposed to stresses such as elevated temperature, oxidation, and pH extremes.

What you will do

During the project, you will work hands-on with antibody samples and a range of analytical methods used for protein and antibody characterization. You will plan and perform stability studies, analyze experimental data, and compare how antibodies of different complexity respond to the selected conditions.

The work will include:

• Planning and execution of forced degradation studies using selected antibody molecules

• Evaluation of antibody stability in different buffer conditions

• Exposure of antibodies to thermal, oxidative, and pH stress

• Assessment of thermal stability and aggregation propensity using nano differential scanning fluorimetry (nanoDSF)

• Analysis of antibody integrity and purity using capillary electrophoresis SDS (CE-SDS)

• Evaluation of charge heterogeneity using capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF)

• Assessment of retained target binding using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

• Comparison and interpretation of results from the different analytical methods

The overall goal is to establish a structured database describing the stability profiles of different antibodies under selected stress conditions. The results will contribute to the understanding of how antibody format and molecular complexity influence developability and may support the design and selection of future antibody candidates, as well as help identify and mitigate potential challenges before progression into large-scale production and CMC development.

Who are you?

We are looking for a motivated Master’s student with a strong interest in biotechnology, protein science, analytical methods, and biopharmaceutical research. You are currently studying a Master’s program in Biotechnology, Molecular biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biomedicine, Chemical engineering or bioprocessing, Protein or antibody engineering, or a related life-science discipline.

Prior experience of laboratory work is highly valued. Hands-on experience with protein or antibody characterization, sample preparation, or analytical techniques such as nanoDSF, CE-SDS, cIEF, SPR or other biophysical and biochemical methods is advantageous but not required.

We value a student who is curious, eager to learn, and comfortable performing experimental laboratory work. You take responsibility for your work and have a structured, methodical, and careful approach to experiments, data analysis, and documentation. You should enjoy solving problems, interpreting results, and working both independently and together with experienced scientists.

About the thesis

The project is suitable for a Master Thesis or equivalent degree project of at least 30 ECTS credits, corresponding to one academic semester or longer, depending on the requirements of the university program. The preferred start date for the project is 18 January 2027.

The thesis work will be conducted at BioArctic in Stockholm, where you will work closely with scientists experienced in antibody engineering, protein characterization, development, and biopharmaceutical research.

About BioArctic

BioArctic AB (publ) is a Swedish research-based biopharma company focusing on innovative treatments that can delay or stop the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. The company invented Leqembi® (lecanemab) – the world's first drug proven to slow the progression of the disease and reduce cognitive impairment in early Alzheimer's disease. Leqembi has been developed together with BioArctic’s partner Eisai, who are responsible for regulatory interactions and commercialization globally. In addition to Leqembi, BioArctic has a broad research portfolio with antibodies against Parkinson's disease and ALS as well as additional projects against Alzheimer's disease. Several of the projects utilize the company's proprietary BrainTransporter™ technology, which has the potential to actively transport therapies across the blood-brain barrier to enhance the efficacy of the treatment. BioArctic's B share (BIOA B) is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm Large Cap. BioArctic’s head office is located in Stockholm Sweden, and the company has more than 150 employees. For further information, please visit www.bioarctic.com.

As a Master Thesis student, you will have the opportunity to work in an industrial research environment and gain hands-on experience with analytical technologies and workflows relevant to modern antibody discovery, developability assessment and biopharmaceutical development.

Application

Please submit your CV, relevant university transcripts and answer the questions in the application form before November 10th.