Ablynx has granted an exclusive license to its anti-RANKL Nanobody, ALX-0141, to Eddingpharm, a Chinese specialty pharmaceutical company. Eddingpharm will develop and commercialize ALX-0141 in China, Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, and Taiwan, for all indications, including osteoporosis and bone metastases.
 
Eddingpharm will be responsible for clinical development, registration and commercialization of anti-RANKL Nanobody therapeutics. Ablynx will have access to the data generated to support potential licensing discussions in other geographic regions. Ablynx will receive €2 million upfront and is entitled to receive commercial milestones plus royalties on sales.
 
ALX-0141 is a bivalent bi-specific therapeutic molecule composed of two Nanobodies targeting the Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor Kappa-B Ligand (RANKL). A Phase I study showed that a single administration of ALX-0141 has a strong and long-lasting inhibitory effect on bone resorption biomarkers and was well tolerated with no serious adverse events.
 
Dr. Edwin Moses, chairman and chief executive officer of Ablynx said, “Eddingpharm is well-positioned to further develop and commercialize ALX-0141 in Greater China, which represents a rapidly growing area for bone related disorders. Our Nanobody has strong potential in this market, with very good efficacy, as measured by biomarkers, and a clean safety profile, and we look forward to collaborating with Eddingpharm and supporting them to move the program further in development and beyond.”
 
Ni Xin, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Eddingpharm said,”We are very pleased that Ablynx has entrusted Eddingpharm to develop and commercialize its anti-RANKL Nanobody in Greater China. Together with Ablynx, we are committed to bringing this innovative medicine to millions of patients in the region. This partnership represents a key milestone towards our goal of establishing Eddingpharm as the partner of choice in China for biotechnology companies around the world.”