Ablynx Promoted to the Belgian
Mid-Cap Index
GHENT, Belgium, 2 July 2009 -
Ablynx [Euronext Brussels: ABLX], a pioneer in the discovery and development
of Nanobodies®, a novel class of antibody-derived therapeutic proteins,
announced today its promotion to the Belgian Mid-Cap index (Bel Mid Index or
BELMID) from 1 July 2009.
The entry of Ablynx to the Bel Mid Index is dependent upon Ablynx's market
capitalization, free float and velocity.
Dr. Edwin Moses, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Ablynx commented:
"The promotion of Ablynx to the Bel Mid Index is a testament to the
considerable progress Ablynx has made since our IPO. We have a strong cash
position and the financial turmoil over the last year has not directly
negatively affected Ablynx. We continue to build and diversify our shareholder
base, both domestically and internationally. There are now three Nanobodies®
in clinical development and our lead programme, ALX-0081, a novel anti-thrombotic,
is on track to initiate Phase II during Q3. Earlier this week, we announced
that ALX-0061, our novel Nanobody® -based therapeutic programme against IL6R,
has entered preclinical development for the treatment of autoimmune and
inflammatory diseases." Dr Moses added: "Our diverse product portfolio
illustrates the breadth of work across several therapeutic areas which is
being undertaken to exploit the significant potential of our Nanobody
platform."
-ends-
About Ablynx [Euronext Brussels: ABLX] - Founded in 2001 in Ghent,
Belgium, Ablynx is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and
development of Nanobodies®, a novel class of therapeutic proteins based on
single-domain antibody fragments, for a range of serious and life-threatening
human diseases. The Company currently has over 210 employees. Ablynx completed
a successful IPO on Euronext Brussels [ABLX] on 7 November 2007.
Ablynx is developing a portfolio of Nanobody®-based therapeutic programmes in
a number of major disease areas, including inflammation, thrombosis, oncology
and Alzheimer's disease. Nanobodies® have been generated against more than 150
different disease targets. Importantly the Nanobodies® which naturally exist
in llamas have a very high homology with humans. Efficacy data has been
obtained in over 26 in vivo models for Nanobodies® against a range of
different targets.
Ablynx has an extensive patent position in the field of Nanobodies® for
healthcare applications. It has exclusive and worldwide rights to more than 50
families of granted patents and pending patent applications, including the
Hamers patents covering the basic structure, composition, preparation and uses
of Nanobodies®.
Ablynx has ongoing research collaborations and significant partnerships with
several major pharmaceutical companies, including Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck
Serono, Novartis and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Ablynx is building a diverse and
broad portfolio of therapeutic Nanobodies® through these collaborations as
well as through its own internal discovery programmes. The Company's lead
programme, ALX-0081, an intravenously administered novel anti-thrombotic has
reached its primary endpoint in a multi-dose Phase Ib study in patients
undergoing PCI and is on track to initiate Phase II during the third quarter
of 2009. ALX-0681, also an anti-thrombotic but with a subcutaneous route of
administration is currently in Phase I in healthy volunteers. Ablynx has
progressed ALX-0141, an anti-RANKL Nanobody® for bone disorders into
preclinical development and aims to initiate a Phase I study before the end of
2009. In addition, Ablynx's partner Wyeth Pharmaceuticals is currently in
Phase I study with an anti-TNF-alpha Nanobody®.
Nanobody® is a registered trademark of Ablynx NV.
For more information, please contact:
Sue Charles, Justine Lamond,
Dr. John McIntyre
t: +44 (0)20 7866 7857
e: ablynx@collegehill.com
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
Eva-Lotta Allan
Chief Business Officer
t: +32 (0)9 262 00 75
m: +32 (0)475 78 36 21 /
+44 (0)7990 570 900
e: eva-lotta.allan@ablynx.com
Certain statements, beliefs and opinions in this press release are
forward-looking, which reflect the Company's or, as appropriate, the Company's
directors' current expectations and projections about future events. By their
nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties
and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These
risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and
financial effects of the plans and events described herein. A multitude of
factors including, but not limited to, changes in demand, competition and
technology, can cause actual events, performance or results to differ
significantly from any anticipated development. Forward looking statements
contained in this press release regarding past trends or activities should not
be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in
the future. As a result, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or
undertaking to release any update or revisions to any forward-looking
statements in this press release as a result of any change in expectations or
any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which these
forward-looking statements are based. Neither the Company nor its advisers or
representatives nor any of its or their parent or subsidiary undertakings or
any such person's officers or employees guarantees that the assumptions
underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor does
either accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release or the actual
occurrence of the forecasted developments. You should not place undue reliance
on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press
release.
