Ablynx
Encyclopedia
Ablynx, a biopharmaceutical company with headquarters in Ghent
, Belgium
, is engaged in the discovery and development of single-domain antibodies ('Nanobodies') to treat a range of human diseases.
Ablynx's lead programme, ALX-0081, became the first ever single domain antibody to enter clinical trial
s, final positive results from a Phase I study in healthy subjects were reported in December 2007. Following these results, Ablynx has initiated a Phase Ib multiple-dose study in May 2008, in the target patient population.
Single domain antibodies are antibody-derived therapeutic proteins that contain the structural and functional properties of naturally-occurring heavy-chain antibodies. The Nanobody technology was originally developed following the discovery that camelidae (camels and llamas) possess fully functional antibodies that lack light chains
. These heavy-chain antibodies contain a single variable domain (VHH) and two constant domains (CH2 and CH3). The cloned and isolated VHH domain is a stable polypeptide harbouring the full antigen-binding capacity of the original heavy-chain antibody. These form the basis of the single domain antibodies which Ablynx has named Nanobodies.
Nanobodies have a high homology with the heavy chain varaible domains of human antibodies and can be further humanised without loss of activity. They have a low immunogenic potential, which has been confirmed in primate studies with Nanobody lead compounds.
(VUB). Seed financing of €2M was provided by GIMV.
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, is engaged in the discovery and development of single-domain antibodies ('Nanobodies') to treat a range of human diseases.
Ablynx's lead programme, ALX-0081, became the first ever single domain antibody to enter clinical trial
Clinical trial
Clinical trials are a set of procedures in medical research and drug development that are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for health interventions...
s, final positive results from a Phase I study in healthy subjects were reported in December 2007. Following these results, Ablynx has initiated a Phase Ib multiple-dose study in May 2008, in the target patient population.
Single domain antibodies are antibody-derived therapeutic proteins that contain the structural and functional properties of naturally-occurring heavy-chain antibodies. The Nanobody technology was originally developed following the discovery that camelidae (camels and llamas) possess fully functional antibodies that lack light chains
Immunoglobulin light chain
]The immunoglobulin light chain is the small polypeptide subunit of an antibody .A typical antibody is composed of two immunoglobulin heavy chains and two Ig light chains.-In humans:...
. These heavy-chain antibodies contain a single variable domain (VHH) and two constant domains (CH2 and CH3). The cloned and isolated VHH domain is a stable polypeptide harbouring the full antigen-binding capacity of the original heavy-chain antibody. These form the basis of the single domain antibodies which Ablynx has named Nanobodies.
Nanobodies have a high homology with the heavy chain varaible domains of human antibodies and can be further humanised without loss of activity. They have a low immunogenic potential, which has been confirmed in primate studies with Nanobody lead compounds.
History
In November 2001, Ablynx was established as a spin-off of VIB and the Free University of BrusselsFree University of Brussels
The Free University of Brussels was a university in Brussels, Belgium. In 1969, it split into the Université Libre de Bruxelles and the Dutch-speaking Vrije Universiteit Brussel....
(VUB). Seed financing of €2M was provided by GIMV.
Sources
- Wolfson W., Ablynx makes nanobodies from llama bodies, Chem Biol. 2006 Dec;13(12):1243-4.
- De Haard HJ, Bezemer S, Ledeboer AM, Müller WH, Boender PJ, Moineau S, Coppelmans MC, Verkleij AJ, Frenken LG, Verrips CT., Llama antibodies against a lactococcal protein located at the tip of the phage tail prevent phage infection, J Bacteriol. 2005 Jul;187(13):4531-41.