GHENT, Belgium, 28 May 2008 - Ablynx [Euronext Brussels: ABLX], a
pioneer in the discovery and development of Nanobodies®, a novel
class of antibody-derived therapeutic proteins, announced today that
it has initiated a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled
multiple dose Phase Ib study for its novel anti-thrombotic that
selectively targets von Willebrand (vWF) factor. The study is being
conducted in patients with stable angina undergoing percutaneous
coronary intervention (PCI). The Company also provides today its
first business update in compliance with the EU transparency
directive summarising material events and Ablynx's financial position
for the first quarter of 2008.
"Based on the success of the Phase Ia study announced in December
2007, we are delighted to have advanced ALX-0081 directly into
patients as opposed to needing to carry out a multiple-dose Phase I
study in healthy volunteers", said Dr Edwin Moses, Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman.
The objectives of the Phase Ib study are to determine safety and
tolerance when adding ALX-0081 to a standard anti-thrombotic regimen
in patients undergoing PCI and to document biological and clinical
response to the therapy. It is intended to recruit up to 64 patients
with stable angina for this study.
Dosing regimes relevant for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome
(ACS) patients will be evaluated in this multiple dose study, based
on the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety data obtained from
the first study, in order to establish the biologically effective
dose for ALX-0081.
Ablynx is also expanding its anti-thrombotic portfolio by developing
ALX-0681, also targeting vWF, a subcutaneously administered Nanobody®
designed to access additional patient populations.
Business Update
Revenues increased for the first quarter by 53% to ?3.3 million
compared with the same period in 2007 (2007: ?2.1 million). Expenses
increased by 57% to ?7.9 million (2007: ?5 million). This resulted in
a net loss for the first quarter of 2008 of ?3.3 million (2007: ?2.7
million). The Company's cash and cash equivalents were ?121.2 million
(2007: ?22.6 million) at 31 March 2008.
For more information, please contact:
College Hill Life Sciences - for UK/International media enquiries:
Sue Charles, Justine Lamond, John McIntyre
t: +44 (0)20 7866 7857
f: +44 (0)20 7866 7900
e: ablynx@collegehill.com
Ablynx:
Dr. Edwin Moses
Chairman and CEO
t: +32 (0)9 262 00 07
m: +44 (0)7771 954 193 / +32 (0)473 39 50 68
e: edwin.moses@ablynx.com
http://hugin.info/137912/R/1223020/257932.pdf
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