| abstract |
The present invention describes a method of conjugating a cell binding agent such as an antibody to an effector group (e.g., a cytotoxic agent) or a reporter group (e.g., a radionuclide), wherein the reporter or effector group is first Is reacted with the soluble linker and the mixture is then used for the conjugation reaction with the cell binding agent without purification. The methods described in the present invention are advantageous for the production of stably-linked conjugates of an effector or reporter group with a cell binding agent such as an antibody. This joining method provides a high yield and high purity and homogeneous conjugate with no cross-linking and deactivating linker residues at high yields. |