Ablynx

Ablynx, a Sanofi company, is a biopharmaceutical firm focused on the discovery and development of Nanobodies®, a class of proprietary therapeutic proteins derived from single-domain antibody fragments. The company's Nanobody technology combines the benefits of conventional antibody drugs with features of small-molecule drugs, enabling them to address a wide range of serious human diseases.

The foundation for Ablynx's technology originated from a serendipitous discovery in 1989 at the Free University of Brussels, where researchers identified unusually small and simple antibodies in camel blood. This led to the development of nanobodies, which are about one-tenth the size of human antibodies. Ablynx was established in 2001 as a spin-off from the Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) and the Free University of Brussels (VUB). Initial seed funding of €2 million was provided by Gimv.

The company develops a portfolio of therapeutic programs in areas such as inflammation, hematology, immuno-oncology, and respiratory diseases. Nanobodies are engineered from heavy-chain-only antibodies found in camelids, like llamas. Their small size allows for effective tissue penetration, and their stable structure permits various delivery methods. The business model involves advancing its pipeline of over 45 proprietary and partnered candidates and forming strategic collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies. In January 2018, after rejecting an offer from Novo Nordisk, Ablynx agreed to be acquired by Sanofi for approximately €3.9 billion ($4.8 billion). The acquisition, completed in June 2018, integrated Ablynx's Nanobody platform into Sanofi's research and development strategy, particularly strengthening its growth in rare blood disorders.

Keywords: Nanobody technology, therapeutic proteins, single-domain antibody fragments, biopharmaceutical, rare blood disorders, immuno-oncology, inflammation, hematology, caplacizumab, drug discovery, antibody engineering, VHH antibodies, camelid antibodies, protein therapeutics, Sanofi subsidiary, biotechnology, clinical development, next-generation biologics