Antibodies under a microscope

Recombinant Antibodies & Mimetics Database

Supporting researchers to transition to more reliable and ethical research tools

Suppliers

Add your antibodies and mimetics to the database

80970 Recombinant Antibodies and Mimetics are currently in the Database

Redefining the future of antibody use in science

The Recombinant Antibodies & Mimetics Database strives to raise awareness among researchers while encouraging suppliers to adopt innovative, scientifically advanced, and ethically sustainable technologies. By positioning recombinant antibodies and antibody mimetics as the new gold standard in research and development, it serves as a vital link between researchers and global suppliers, offering extensive benefits to both. To learn more about how the database is redefining the future of antibody use in science, check out our ATLA review article.

Key Features of this platform

  • Search and Filter Database: Easily find products by name, category, application, host species, and reactivity.
  • Transparency: Access detailed information on discovery, production, and sequence data when available.
  • Custom Solutions: Identify suppliers providing bespoke antibody and mimetic solutions.
  • Information: Access resources on recombinant antibodies and next-generation antibody mimetics.

This dynamic resource is continually expanding, with new suppliers joining regularly—be sure to check back regularly for the latest product updates.

Female scientists
Houses of Parliament

Government Strategy

In November 2025, the UK Government published its strategy on replacing animals in science, which includes a target to replace the use of animal-derived polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) by 2030. The Government recognises the need for change. As stated in the strategy, polyclonal antibodies have ‘significant batch to batch variation and often uncharacterised cross reactivities,’  while recombinant antibodies and mimetics ‘have all the advantages of pAbs and none of the drawbacks.’ The strategy also highlights a ‘lack of awareness and education’ regarding the utility of these alternative affinity reagents as a key factor limiting their adoption.

We agree! The Recombinant Antibodies and Mimetics database has been setup to address this problem by linking researchers to thousands of recombinant antibodies and mimetics, using a unique colour-coded classification system that clearly indicates the extent of animal involvement in discovery and production. Coupled with our Knowledge Hub – a dedicated area for learning about antibody production methods and the advantages of alternative affinity reagents – the database aims to make high-quality animal-free recombinant and mimetic antibodies the global standard, supporting a more reproducible, ethical, and forward-looking future for antibody science.

Need help finding replacement antibodies in response to the strategy? Contact us for advice and recommendations.

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Database Category Colour Coding for Antibody Discovery and Production

The database employs a user-friendly colour-coding system to categorise recombinant antibodies and mimetics based on their discovery and production methods. This visual guide makes it easier for users to quickly identify the origins and production processes of listed products.

All antibodies featured in the database are recombinant, sequence-defined reagents expressed in vitro. However, they differ in their sources, discovery methods, and the extent to which animal-derived biomaterials (ADBs) are used in their development or production.

Category A

  • Naïve B-cell derived display libraries derived from human blood.
  • In vitro display libraries based on computationally designed synthetic framework sequences, natural framework sequences from various species or consensus sequences from multiple natural frameworks. The latter being available from databases, published research, expired patents, or genome sequencing projects, and whose use does not involve new animal immunisation or tissue harvesting.

Category B

  • Naïve, non-immunised animal B cell-derived in vitro antibody display libraries
  • Historical immunisation, but with no ongoing reliance on animals. Affinity reagents in this category align with the May 2020 EURL ECVAM recommendation, which permits continued use of existing, sequenced, and well-characterised hybridomas to produce recombinant monoclonal antibodies in vitro, as animals are no longer directly involved.

Categories C-F

  • Active animal immunisation for antibody discovery.
  • Use of animal-derived biomaterials (ADBs) in either discovery or production stages.

Category G

  • Applies when lack of clarity around the discovery process prevents full classification. Production relies on recombinant methods.

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies derived from hybridomas are excluded from this database due to both scientific and ethical considerations. These traditional antibody types involve significant animal use and present reproducibility challenges, making them inconsistent with the database’s focus on robust and ethical research solutions.

Why Colour Coding Matters

  • Transparency: Helps users make informed decisions based on scientific and ethical considerations.
  • Ease of Use: Enables researchers to filter and identify products aligned with their needs and values at a glance.
  • Encouraging Transition: Highlights innovation and supports the adoption of animal-free technologies in science.

This intuitive colour-coding system reinforces the database’s mission to promote scientifically superior, sustainable and ethical alternatives in antibody research and development

Read more about production methods

Definition of Animal-Derived Biomaterials (ADBs)

For the purposes of this website, animal-derived biomaterials (ADBs) refer specifically to primary ADBs – materials directly sourced from animal tissues, fluids, or organs. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Foetal Bovine Serum (FBS)
  • Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA)
  • Newborn Calf Serum, Horse Serum, Donor Bovine Serum
  • Animal-derived enzymes (e.g., trypsin from porcine or bovine pancreas)
  • Gelatin (typically derived from pig or cow)
  • Serum or tissue hydrolysates (e.g., from blood or organs)
  • Animal-derived extracellular matrix proteins (e.g., collagen, fibronectin, laminin)
  • Peptones and tryptones of animal origin
  • KLH (Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin)

For the purposes of this platform, this definition of ADBs does not include secondary ADBs – not directly sourced from animal tissues, fluids, or organs. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Casein and milk proteins (e.g., skimmed milk powder)
  • Lysozyme (e.g., Hen Egg White Lysozyme, HEWL)
  • Casein hydrolysate

Common animal-derived laboratory cell lines (e.g., CHO – Chinese Hamster Ovary cells) may also be used in recombinant antibody production.

Human-specific scientists in a laboratory
In 1989 I visited The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California to work on a project to pioneer antibody libraries and use recombinant techniques to isolate antibodies, initially by screening lambda phage and then building on George Smith's work on phage display. The field has advanced significantly over the past three decades and now animal-free antibodies are commercially available. The animal-free part may be in the discovery part or in the production part. With this database researchers have a great way to search for the availability of these reagents.
Angray Kang

Professor of ImmunoTechnology at Queen Mary University of London

A Kang
Throughout my PhD project, I used both primary and secondary animal-free antibodies for various applications including Western blot, immunocytochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. Working extensively with human tissue and primary cells, I came to truly appreciate the advantage of recombinant antibodies. In addition to offering an ethical alternative, the reliability of these animal-free antibodies allowed me to focus on my research without worrying about the quality and consistency of my materials. I genuinely wish that a user-friendly database of animal-free antibodies and materials had been available when I started in the lab. So, it’s exciting to see this realised by the Centre for Human Specific Research.
Kevin Herrera

University of Plymouth, PhD student

Kevin Herrera in a lab
Centre for Human Specific Research

About The Centre for Human Specific Research

The Centre for Human Specific Research was established to address the fundamental challenges that prevent the advancement of human-specific research by companies and institutions. Through increasing awareness, education, and collaboration we aim to support individuals and organisations in their adoption of human-specific research.

Visit the Centre for Human Specific Research