Boehringer Ingelheim announces Nanobody discovery alliance

Boehringer Ingelheim has entered into an alliance for the discovery of Nanobodies, the company has announced.

Nanobodies, a range of branded treatments developed by Ghent-based Ablynx, are therapeutic proteins based on single-domain antibody fragments.

Under the terms of the deal, Boehringer Ingelheim is expected to invest in Ablynx, as well as making milestone payments on the discovery of each new therapy.

Dr Edwin Moses, chief executive officer and chair of Ablynx, comments: “This is by far the largest financial agreement that Ablynx has signed to discover and develop innovative Nanobody therapeutics.

“We are delighted to strengthen our existing relationship with Boehringer Ingelheim.”

Areas such as immunology, oncology and respiratory health are to be targeted in the initial stages of the project, Boehringer Ingelheim states.

The research-driven firm was founded by Albert Boehringer in 1885 with a workforce of about 20 people producing tartaric acid salts.

Early success may be linked with high demand for such salts in the production of fizzy lemonade, Boehringer Ingelheim claims.