GHENT, Belgium – Ablynx [Euronext Brussels: ABLX] announced today that it has selected a new GPCR targeting development candidate, ALX-0651, an anti-CXCR4 Nanobody which is being developed for hematopoietic stem cell mobilisation. The Company is also releasing new data on pulmonary to systemic administration and needle-free administration of Nanobodies. Ablynx will present an update of its therapeutic pipeline and its recent technology advances at its R&D Investor Update in New York, USA tomorrow at 8.00 a.m. EST.

Selection of GPCR targeting development candidate

In January 2009, Ablynx successfully generated functional Nanobodies against CXCR4, a clinically validated GPCR. Today, the Company has announced that its criteria for preclinical development have been reached and that Ablynx will progress this compound named ALX-0651, towards the clinic. CXCR4 plays an important role in cell movement, tumor growth and metastasis.
 
New data on alternative route of delivery and R&D update

Ablynx has announced additional data on the use of a needle-free device for transdermal delivery and data on the administration of Nanobodies systemically via the pulmonary route.

Specifically, the Company 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 (PK) profile compared with 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. The data indicate that they can survive the lung environment and can then be detected systemically with intact biological activity. Ablynx continues to investigate new routes of administration including oral to systemic, ocular and other forms of transdermal delivery.

“In the last twelve months we have made significant progress in advancing both our therapeutic pipeline and Nanobody-based technology platform,”

commented Dr Edwin Moses, CEO and Chairman of Ablynx.