The Hyper Antibody Research Development (HARD) Lab is a dynamic research and development facility focused on antibody-based therapeutics. Our high-throughput platform, comprehensive research services and specialised expertise enable us to drive innovation in oncology, metabolic, infectious and rare diseases. By pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge and engaging in fruitful collaborations, we are committed to advancing the field of antibody-based therapeutics and ultimately making a positive impact on the health and well-being of patients.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Officially launched in 2022, HARD-Lab (High-Throughput Antibody Research and Development Lab) is dedicated to cutting-edge research and development in the field of antibody-based diagnostics and therapeutics, focusing on areas of medical importance such as oncology, metabolic, infectious and rare diseases. These areas represent significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment, and antibody-based therapeutics offer great potential for innovative solutions. The HARD laboratory offers a range of services tailored to the development of custom polyclonal, monoclonal and bispecific antibodies, including recombinant protein and antibody production, purification, characterisation and conjugation, and specialises in providing comprehensive research services.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Innovation is at the heart of HARD-Lab’s mission and we are engaged in several critical endeavours, one of which is the establishment of a state-of-the-art, high-throughput platform dedicated to the identification and isolation of human, mouse and rabbit monoclonal antibodies. We are currently exploring new screening strategies for the generation of functional antibodies and establishing a reliable and robust method for the production of recombinant mAbs against structurally complex transmembrane proteins to facilitate the development of potential diagnostics and therapeutics against difficult-to-target antigens. We are committed to exploring new technologies, novel antibody formats and advanced techniques to improve the efficacy, specificity and safety of antibody-based therapies. Through our research efforts, we aim to discover breakthrough solutions and make significant contributions to the field of antibody-based diagnostics and therapeutics.

HARD-Lab values collaboration and partnership to promote a multidisciplinary approach to research and development. We actively seek collaborations to combine strengths, share knowledge and accelerate the translation of research into practice. Through collaborative efforts, we aim to increase the impact of our research and to accelerate the introduction of antibody-based therapeutics into clinical practice.

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Piero Pileri
p.pileri@toscanalifesciences.org

Coordinator:
Cristina Tinti
c.tinti@toscanalifesciences.org

Research Group:
Andrea Avati
Silvia Colocucci
Ilaria Maffei
Chiara Maserati
Marco Rossi
Veronica Strazza