Ablynx agrees license for nanobodies in treating Alzheimer’s disease

Ablynx of Ghent, Belgium, signed a license agreement with a headline value of $265 million to apply its nanobody technology to the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The deal, with German pharma Boehringer Ingelheim, covers products that are yet to reach the stage of preclinical development.

The two partners will commence a joint research programme, including Ablynx scientists, for the further development of the nanobodies, which are single-domain, or scaled-down, versions of full antibodies. Because they are smaller than conventional antibodies, nanobodies are able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, and so are considered suitable for tackling neurodegenerative diseases. And unlike their larger brethren, which are administered by injection, nanobodies can be taken orally.

Boehringer Ingelheim will be responsible for the development, manufacture and commercialisation of any products resulting from the collaboration.

The deal includes an upfront fee, development and commercial milestones. Ablynx, a spin out from the Flanders Interuniversity Institute of Biotechnology, will also receive royalties.

Ablynx’s strategy is to build a diverse portfolio nanobodies based on strategic partnerships and in house discovery. It has collaborations with several other pharmaceutical companies, including Wyeth , Novartis, Centocor, Kirin Brewery and Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals. The three lead preclinical programmes are all expected to enter the clinic during 2007.