Ablynx and Merck Serono enter into an agreement to co-discover and co-develop Nanobodies
Ablynx and Merck Serono to equally contribute to discover and develop Nanobodies against two targets in oncology and immunology and equally share the resulting profits
Ablynx announced that it has entered into an agreement with Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to co-discover and co-develop Nanobodies® against two targets in oncology and immunology. The agreement includes an upfront cash payment to Ablynx of €10 million.
Nanobodies® are a new class of therapeutic proteins that contain the unique structural and functional properties of naturally-occurring single domain antibodies. The partners will collaborate to research and develop Nanobody®-based therapeutics against two disease targets exploiting some of the key benefits Nanobodies® have over conventional antibodies and other fragments.
Under the terms of the agreement, both companies will equally share all research and development costs. Should Ablynx contribute equally to each program, it will be eligible to receive fifty percent of the resulting profits. In addition, Ablynx will have an option to opt-out partly or fully during the research and development programs, in which case the company would be eligible to receive either a reduced profit share, in the case of a partial opt-out, or milestones and royalties on potential sales, in the case of a full opt-out. Total development and commercial milestones, depending on the point of opt-out by Ablynx, could reach up to €325 million should a product be approved in multiple indications in all major markets.
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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
