NANOBODY® Technology Platform
Our scientists are unlocking new possibilities in drug design with these tiny, modular antibodies. Here we explain how they work and why they are generating so much excitement.
What Are NANOBODY® Molecules?
Antibodies are specialized proteins produced by the immune system to identify and attack foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses and toxins. They are Y-shaped molecules which contain four polypeptide chains: two identical “heavy” chains and two identical “light” chains.
In contrast to humans, some species of animals, including camels, llamas, alpacas and sharks, can make antibodies that contain only "heavy” chains. This exposes the antigen binding part of the antibody, which scientists are able to isolate and create a small protein fragment known as a NANOBODY molecule.1,2
Most antibodies can bind to just one target. But by connecting antibody fragments, like beads on a string, our teams can create new compounds (called "multivalent" NANOBODY molecules) that bind to many different targets at once.3 For example, a single therapeutic NANOBODY molecule might create a bridge between a tumor cell and an immune cell by attaching to several sites on a tumor and an immune cell. This could help the body's immune system fight cancer.
Each building block of the NANOBODY molecule can bind tightly to a specific protein, for example on the surface of a tumor (right) or immune cell (left)
Why Does It Matter?
NANOBODY technology is helping our scientists explore new therapeutic approaches that could one day replace complex treatment regimens with single, multi-action medicines. This could minimize the side effects of taking multiple treatments, and potentially improve administration; NANOBODY molecules can also be administered orally, which may offer a more convenient and less invasive option for many people.
For these reasons, NANOBODY molecules have become an essential tool in drug discovery. Combined with Sanofi's large-scale manufacturing capacity, NANOBODY molecules and other cutting-edge technologies are empowering our teams to develop the medicines of tomorrow.
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References
- Leslie M (2018) Mini-antibodies discovered in sharks and camels could lead to drugs for cancer and other diseases. Science Magazine; doi:10.1126/science.aau1288
- Jovčevska I, Muyldermans S (2020) BioDrugs 34:11–26.
- NANOBODY is a registered trademark of Ablynx N.V.