Ablynx receive $3 million from Wyeth collaboration
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Ablynx has received $3 million from Wyeth after the US company started the first Phase I study in healthy volunteers for a nanobody against TNF-alpha. The two firms signed, and have since extended, a deal worth up to a potential $212.5 million to discover, develop and commercialise Ablynx's proprietary anti-TNF-alpha nanobodies (Scrip Online, December 20th, 2007). Nanobodies are a novel class of therapeutic proteins based on single-domain antibody fragments. Wyeth has exclusive rights to develop and commercialise the antibodies developed under the collaboration. Earlier this week the Belgian firm initiated a Phase I study in healthy volunteers with ALX-0681, an antithrombotic nanobody targeting the von Willebrand Factor. Ablynx is developing the nanobody for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, but it could also have potential in unwanted blood-clot formation not addressed by intravenous administration. Results from a Phase Ib study of another antibody targeting the von Willebrand Factor, ALX-0081, are expected in the new year.