monoclonal antibody

American  

noun

Biotechnology.

1. antibody produced by a laboratory-grown cell clone, either of a hybridoma or a virus-transformed lymphocyte, that is more abundant and uniform than natural antibody and is able to bind specifically to a single site on almost any chosen antigen or reveal previously unknown antigen sites: used as an analytic tool in scientific research and medical diagnosis and potentially important in the treatment of certain diseases. MAb

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monoclonal antibody British  

/ ˌmɒnəʊˈkləʊnəl /

noun

1. an antibody, produced by a single clone of cells grown in culture, that is both pure and specific and is capable of proliferating indefinitely to produce unlimited quantities of identical antibodies: used in diagnosis, therapy, and biotechnology

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Etymology

Origin of monoclonal antibody

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

The biotech company released positive data for a Phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy of zumilokibart, a monoclonal antibody targeting proteins related to inflammation, in patients with atopic dermatitis.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

The researchers identified this immune evasion strategy for the first time and demonstrated that interfering with it using a monoclonal antibody can restore immune activity.

From Science Daily • Jan. 15, 2026

The drug, Pemgarda, is a monoclonal antibody infusion that can be taken as a preventive measure, before people contract the virus.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 6, 2024

It’s a monoclonal antibody called Pemgarda, which is administered intravenously and can be given once every three months.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2024

The therapy, an injectable monoclonal antibody callnative to antimalarials used in areas where malaria is endemic; those drugs have to be taed L9LS, offers a possible alterken for several days each month to be protective.

From Science Magazine • May 1, 2024