A joint project: In the case of the nanobodies, Ablynx is conducting the preclinical research and Merck Serono will then take over in the clinical phase
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
A modular principle from the llama
One example of a promising development that originated in a university research project is the discovery of particularly tiny antibodies that consist only of a dense chain. In 2001 the company Ablynx was founded as a spin-off of the Free University of Brussels and the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), among other institutions, in order to pursue the further development of nanobodies — the smallest functional parts of these antibodies.
The biopharmaceutical company, which is located in Ghent, Belgium, is currently expanding. After all, many pharmaceutical companies are interested in its Nanobodies®, which dock very specifically and powerfully to targets that in some cases are inaccessible for conventional antibodies. When properly combined, they even deliver targeted multiple effects simultaneously.
These are ample reasons for Merck Serono to work together with Ablynx on the further development of the nanobodies. In an initial collaboration, nanobodies are being developed for two biological targets. Merck Serono and Ablynx are sharing the costs and the research work 50/50, and after the market launch they will also share the profits equally.
In this kind of cooperation, the two partners equally share responsibility for the development right from the start. However, the smaller partner can withdraw from the financial participation at any time if the costs of the development exceed its budget. In that case, compensation will be in the form of milestone payments and royalties.
The second and third collaborations with Ablynx are focusing on three further biological targets. “Thanks to our outstanding initial collaboration, we earned the trust of our partner Merck Serono,” says Ablynx CEO Edwin Moses. This is how he explains what is still to come: “The structure of the partnership now calls for us to conduct the preclinical research on the nanobodies on our own, but Merck Serono will provide us with financial support.
A case study in technology funding: nanobodies
Why are llamas and other camel-like animals (Camelidae) resistant to certain parasites? The reason is that they have unusual antibodies which are smaller than those found in other vertebrates but still function very effectively. The fragments of these antibodies that bind to antigens are only one tenth the size of conventional antibodies, much less complex, and very stable. These “nanobodies” reach deeply hidden targets, can be combined in a way that enables them to simultaneously go after several targets, and can be rapidly produced in large quantities.
Antibodies, of which Erbitux® is one example, are already widely used to treat many different diseases, including cancer and inflammatory diseases. Nanobodies are produced according to the following principle: Llamas are inoculated with the pharmacological target, for example a receptor. Within just a few weeks following the inoculation, the animals’ immune systems develop a special type of antibody, among other things, in certain blood cells.
A simple blood sample is taken from the llamas and their work is done — they can be “laid off” without any adverse effects. The genetic blueprint of these nanobodies is identified and further formatted. Genetic engineering is then used to transfer the blueprint to the yeast species Pichia pastoris or to bacteria such as Escherichia coli, which then produce large amounts of nanobodies in a relatively short period of time. According to Ablynx, this technology reduces by half the time needed for the development process from the target to the preclinical development phase.
One example of a promising development that originated in a university research project is the discovery of particularly tiny antibodies that consist only of a dense chain. In 2001 the company Ablynx was founded as a spin-off of the Free University of Brussels and the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), among other institutions, in order to pursue the further development of nanobodies — the smallest functional parts of these antibodies.
The biopharmaceutical company, which is located in Ghent, Belgium, is currently expanding. After all, many pharmaceutical companies are interested in its Nanobodies®, which dock very specifically and powerfully to targets that in some cases are inaccessible for conventional antibodies. When properly combined, they even deliver targeted multiple effects simultaneously.
These are ample reasons for Merck Serono to work together with Ablynx on the further development of the nanobodies. In an initial collaboration, nanobodies are being developed for two biological targets. Merck Serono and Ablynx are sharing the costs and the research work 50/50, and after the market launch they will also share the profits equally.
In this kind of cooperation, the two partners equally share responsibility for the development right from the start. However, the smaller partner can withdraw from the financial participation at any time if the costs of the development exceed its budget. In that case, compensation will be in the form of milestone payments and royalties.
The second and third collaborations with Ablynx are focusing on three further biological targets. “Thanks to our outstanding initial collaboration, we earned the trust of our partner Merck Serono,” says Ablynx CEO Edwin Moses. This is how he explains what is still to come: “The structure of the partnership now calls for us to conduct the preclinical research on the nanobodies on our own, but Merck Serono will provide us with financial support.
After that, Merck Serono and Ablynx will lead the project through the clinical phase, in which the responsibility, the costs, and the profits in case of a market launch will again be shared 50/50. This structure is helping to make the development work more dynamic.” And that is the ultimate aim of all such collaborative efforts — whether it involves startups, small or large companies, or university research institutes and their spin-offs.
Camels and other camelids, including llamas, for example, have special antibodies that make them resistant to certain parasites
© Shotshop
© Shotshop
Why are llamas and other camel-like animals (Camelidae) resistant to certain parasites? The reason is that they have unusual antibodies which are smaller than those found in other vertebrates but still function very effectively. The fragments of these antibodies that bind to antigens are only one tenth the size of conventional antibodies, much less complex, and very stable. These “nanobodies” reach deeply hidden targets, can be combined in a way that enables them to simultaneously go after several targets, and can be rapidly produced in large quantities.
Antibodies, of which Erbitux® is one example, are already widely used to treat many different diseases, including cancer and inflammatory diseases. Nanobodies are produced according to the following principle: Llamas are inoculated with the pharmacological target, for example a receptor. Within just a few weeks following the inoculation, the animals’ immune systems develop a special type of antibody, among other things, in certain blood cells.
A simple blood sample is taken from the llamas and their work is done — they can be “laid off” without any adverse effects. The genetic blueprint of these nanobodies is identified and further formatted. Genetic engineering is then used to transfer the blueprint to the yeast species Pichia pastoris or to bacteria such as Escherichia coli, which then produce large amounts of nanobodies in a relatively short period of time. According to Ablynx, this technology reduces by half the time needed for the development process from the target to the preclinical development phase.
Two nanobodies (lavender and red) combined by means of a "bridge" bind to their very specific biological targets, to which they are sensitive. The binding process prevents these targets having their usual effect. The combination of two nanobodies makes it possible to stengthen the effect or to simultaneously achieve two different effects. The biological target is the antigen; the Nanobody is the smallest functional fragment of an antibody, which is very stable and can be easily produced in large quantities
© Ablynx
© Ablynx
Working with big players in clinical research |
Merck Serono cooperates not only with small and medium-sized companies but also with major pharmaceutical companies. One example of this is the partnership with Sanofi in the area of cancer drugs. In cancer treatment today, it is becoming increasingly important to very precisely “switch off” the signal paths that stimulate tumor growth. But thanks to their network of signal paths, tumors can quickly evade the blockade of individual signals.
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