Ablynx announced it has successfully generated Nanobodies against several GPCR receptors. Ablynx also announced its preclinical development program ALX-0141, a Nanobody against Receptor Activator for Nuclear Factor kappa B Ligand (RANKL), an important target for bone disorders such as osteoporosis.
Nanobodies are a new class of therapeutic proteins that contain the unique structural and functional properties of naturally-occurring single domain antibodies. Nanobodies have been generated against over 100 different targets now including complex targets such as GPCRs, which are typically difficult to approach with conventional monoclonal antibodies. Nanobody constructs have been generated against GPCRs with picomolar activity in functional cellular assays such as chemotaxis and cell mobility. Ablynx has validated 25 Nanobody programs in relevant in vivo models.
ALX-0141 is the first single domain antibody developed by Ablynx that specifically targets RANKL, an essential regulator of osteoclasts, the cells involved in the breakdown of bone. ALX-0141 is now in preclinical development and Ablynx will progress the program towards clinical development for osteoporosis.
Filed Under: Drug Discovery
