Ablynx Expands Merck Deal for Nanobody Technology.

BioWorld International Correspondent

LONDON u Ablynx NV extended its relationship with Merck Serono in a ?25 million (US$34.6 million) deal to apply its nanobody antibody fragment technology to an undisclosed rheumatology target.

The deal represents a new style of collaboration for Ablynx, which will have sole responsibility for all discovery and preclinical work. The Ghent, Belgium-based company will receive an up-front payment of ?10 million, and a further ?15 million upon Merck Serono's acceptance of the data package that is ready for investigational new drug (IND) application filing.

"Our last deal with Merck Serono was for ?10 million up front for two …