Novartis licenses new Ablynx nanobodies

Novartis has added two novel nanobody treatments to its product pipeline with the agreement of a new licensing deal with biopharmaceutical company Ablynx.

The firm has paid an upfront sum of one million euros (833,125 pounds) for the two programmes, which have been created as part of a research agreement between the two firms.

Under the terms of the new arrangement, Novartis will take full responsibility for the further development of the therapeutic proteins against two complex targets.

Meanwhile, Ablynx will be due to receive milestone payments and royalties, dependent on the compounds’ future developmental and commercial progress.

Dr Edwin Moses, chief executive officer and chairman of Ablynx, said: “We are excited to see these two complex programmes progressing towards the clinic in Novartis’ hands and pleased that the commercial licenses have been executed.”

Earlier this week, Novartis published new clinical data from a trial of its pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment imatinib, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving exercise capacity and pulmonary haemodynamics.