Ablynx achieves third milestone in drug discovery and development collaboration

19-Nov-2009 - Belgium

Ablynx announced that it will receive an undisclosed milestone payment from Novartis. The payment has been triggered by successful delivery to Novartis of Nanobody® candidates which met specific criteria. This will be the third milestone payment that Ablynx has received from Novartis since the initiation of the alliance between the companies.

Novartis and Ablynx entered into the alliance in December 2005 to discover and develop therapeutic Nanobodies against targets that are difficult to address with conventional antibodies and fragments. Under the terms of this ongoing agreement, Ablynx receives upfront fees, license fees and funding for research and development. In addition, Ablynx is eligible for milestone payments and royalties upon commercialisation. Novartis has exclusive rights to develop and commercialise the Nanobody products resulting from the collaboration.

Edwin Moses, CEO and Chairman of Ablynx, commented: "This is an important stage in our alliance with Novartis as these Nanobodies have shown significant activity in vivo compared with a benchmark antibody. We are very pleased with the progress made and look forward to reaching further key milestones under this alliance in the future."

Other news from the department business & finance

Most read news

More news from our other portals

Fighting cancer: latest developments and advances

See the theme worlds for related content

Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous

View topic world
Topic world Antibodies

Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous