| abstract |
The present invention provides hydrophilic linkers. This linker is used in ligand-drug conjugates, such as antibody-drug conjugates, to link drugs to cell-binding ligands. Ligand-drug conjugates comprise cell-binding ligands capable of binding to specific cell densities and drugs linked by hydrophilic linkers. The hydrophilic linker contains one or more hydrophilic groups that make the linker hydrophilic. The hydrophilic linker also contains functional groups at both ends that can couple drugs and cell-binding ligands, respectively. |