Ablynx.com / Specific Nanobody® formats

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.

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Intellectual property

Specific Nanobody^® Formats

Ablynx also has specific intellectual property that covers some of the techniques that can be used to design Nanobody^®-based constructs with a desired pharmacological profile (such as half-life). These include linking Nanobodies^® to a second Nanobody^® that is directed against serum proteins (see for example WO 03/035694, WO 04/041865 and WO 06/122787), and linking a Nanobody^® to a human Fc portion (see for example EP 1 621 554). Ablynx also has developed a number of proprietary techniques for designing constructs with a desired pharmacological profile, which are the subject of pending patent applications.

Ablynx holds a license to the intellectual property from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) on Nanobody^® constructs that can cross the blood-brain-barrier (see for example WO 02/057445).

Nanobodies^® can also be linked to anti-tumour agents to provide targeted cytotoxic constructs (the ADEPT™ technology). Ablynx holds an exclusive license from the VIB to the ADEPT patent estate (see for example WO 03/055527).