Belgian-based Ablynx has signed an exclusive collaboration agreement with Sanofi subsidiary Genzyme for a research project on multiple sclerosis (MS).
Under the deal, the firmsc will investigate Nanobodies against a target that plays a crucial role in MS. The project will specifically align with Genzyme’s early-stage MS research programmes involving neuroprotection and CNS repair.
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Ablynx is involved in the development of Nanobodies, a therapeutic proteins based on single-domain antibody fragments that aggregate the advantages of conventional antibody drugs with some of the features of small-molecule drugs.
Ablynx CEO Dr Edwin Moses said: "As a leading biotech company, Genzyme is an ideal partner to demonstrate the potential value of Ablynx’s versatile Nanobody technology platform in MS.
"The formatting flexibility of Nanobodies makes them promising candidates for combining antibody-like selectivity and multi-specificity in a single molecule."
The deal will allow Genzyme to carry out in-vitro and in-vivo research with Ablynx’s Nanobodies in MS-relevant models in return for an exclusivity fee.
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By GlobalDataGenzyme will have the option to negotiate a licence agreement, upon completion of these studies.
Ablynx said that it already generated potent Nanobodies against the specific target of interest and confirmed their activity in pre-clinical models.
Genzyme neuroimmunology research vice-president Johanne Kaplan said: "We look forward to collaborating with Ablynx to evaluate the potential of Nanobodies against this CNS target, as this project supports our research that includes the exploration of novel therapeutic platforms to address unmet needs in multiple sclerosis."
Image: Entrance to Genzyme building at 500 Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Photo: courtesy of Tim Pierce.
