Affibody

About Affibody

Affibody is a clinical-stage Swedish biotechnology company founded in 1998 by researchers from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Karolinska Institutet. The company is developing a new class of protein-based drugs, known as Affibody® molecules, which are small, engineered proteins designed to bind to specific target proteins with high affinity, mimicking monoclonal antibodies. These molecules are significantly smaller than conventional antibodies (about 6 kDa compared to 150 kDa), which allows them to reach targets less accessible to larger molecules, offers the potential for higher dosing, and enables alternative administration routes like inhalation.

The company's core technology platforms are Affibody® molecules and the Albumod™ platform. The Affibody® platform leverages a vast library of over ten billion unique protein variants to select binders for specific disease-associated targets, a process refined through phage display technology. The Albumod™ platform is a half-life extension technology that binds therapeutics to albumin, the most common protein in blood, prolonging their circulation time and potentially reducing dosing frequency.

Affibody's business model is centered on advancing its proprietary drug pipeline and forming strategic partnerships for development and commercialization. The company has a broad pipeline with clinical and preclinical programs focused on high-unmet-need areas, primarily in oncology and immunology. Key programs include targeted radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment and therapies for autoimmune diseases like psoriasis. For instance, ABY-271 is a HER2-targeted radiopharmaceutical for patients with metastatic breast cancer, and izokibep is an IL-17 inhibitor for inflammatory diseases. Affibody's business strategy involves out-licensing its technology and co-developing drug candidates with pharmaceutical companies. It has established numerous commercial partnerships with international firms such as Chiesi Group, GE Healthcare, and Rallybio. These collaborations generate revenue through upfront payments, milestone achievements, and royalties on sales.