Ablynx selects GPCR targeting development candidate
Ablynx, a Belgian biopharmaceutical firm focused on the discovery of nanobodies, has selected a new GPCR targeting development candidate, ALX-0651, an anti-CXCR4 nanobody, which is being developed for hematopoietic stem cell mobilisation.
Ablynx, a Belgian biopharmaceutical firm focused on the discovery of nanobodies, has selected a new GPCR targeting development candidate, ALX-0651, an anti-CXCR4 nanobody, which is being developed for hematopoietic stem cell mobilisation. CXCR4 plays an important role in cell movement, tumour growth and metastasis.
The company has also released new data on pulmonary to systemic administration and needle-free administration of nanobodies.
Ablynx says it has successfully demonstrated that nanobodies can be made as a solid formulation in clinically relevant amounts. Furthermore, when administered via a needle-free route, they have shown a similar pharmacokinetic profile to subcutaneously injected nanobodies.
In addition to previous data showing that nanobodies can be detected in the systemic circulation following delivery to the lungs, Ablynx has now demonstrated dose-dependent systemic bioavailability and functionality for nanobodies delivered via the intrapulmonary route.
Ablynx continues to investigate new routes of administration including oral to systemic, ocular and other forms of transdermal delivery.
"In the last 12 months we have made significant progress in advancing both our therapeutic pipeline and nanobody-based technology platform," said Edwin Moses, chief executive of Ablynx. "Nanobodies have clearly demonstrated themselves as a very promising new class of therapeutics and we are focused on developing our clinical pipeline as well as our technology platform."