Three-dimensional structure of a Nanobody® (modeled on the VHH with pdb-code 1U0Q, Cambillau et al). The target molecule is recognized by the surface formed by three hypervariable regions located at the top of the molecule (in green, cyan and blue). Hallmarks, amino acid residues that further differentiate a camelid VHH from a human VH, can be located at different positions within the framework regions, and here are coloured red, pink and magenta.
Welcome to Ablynx
Ablynx at Piper Jaffray Europe Conference Tuesday, 23 June 2009 at 5:30 pm CET
Ablynx, a biopharmaceutical company with headquarters in Ghent, Belgium, is engaged in the
discovery and development of Nanobodies® to treat a range of serious human diseases. Nanobodies® are a novel class of antibody-derived therapeutic proteins.
Because of their small size, unique structure and extreme
stability, Nanobodies® combine the advantages
of conventional antibody therapeutics with the key features
of small-molecule drugs.
The power of Ablynx's discovery platform has resulted in three Nanobody® development candidates. Ablynx’s lead programme, a novel anti-thrombotic, ALX-0081, became the first ever single domain antibody to enter clinical trials and Ablynx reported the final positive results from its Phase I study in December 2007. Following these positive results, Ablynx initiated a Phase Ib multiple-dose study in May 2008, directly in the target patient population rather than healthy volunteers for ALX-0081. In December 2008, Ablynx reported positive results confirming that ALX-0081 had reached the primary endpoint of the Phase Ib study, demonstrating the desired pharmacological effect. In December 2008 Ablynx initiated its second clinical development programme, ALX-0681. ALX-0681, also an anti-thrombotic, which is administered subcutaneously, entered a healthy volunteer Phase I study.
Ablynx’s preclinical candidate ALX-0141 is a fully humanized Nanobody® that targets the Receptor Activator for Nuclear Factor kappa B Ligand (RANKL), a molecule important in bone metabolism. Ablynx aims to develop ALX-0141 for a range of indications including the treatment of osteoporosis.
Ablynx's partner Wyeth Pharmaceuticals also initiated a healthy volunteer Phase I study in December 2008 for its anti-TNF alpha Nanobody®. There are three Nanobodies® in clinical development.
