title: Nanobodies® as inhaled biotherapeutics for lung diseases.
abstract: Local pulmonary delivery of biotherapeutics may offer advantages for the treatment of lung diseases. Delivery of the therapeutic entity directly to the lung has the potential for a rapid onset of action, reduced systemic exposure and the need for a lower dose, as well as needleless administration. However, formulation of a protein for inhaled delivery is challenging and requires proteins with favorable biophysical properties suitable to withstand the forces associated with formulation, delivery, and inhalation devices. Nanobodies are the smallest functional fragments derived from a naturally occurring heavy chain-only immunoglobulin. They are highly soluble, stable, and show biophysical characteristics that are particularly well suited for pulmonary delivery. This paper highlights a number of clinical and preclinical studies on antibodies delivered via the pulmonary route and describes the advantages of using Nanobodies for inhaled delivery to the lung. The latter is illustrated by the specific example of ALX-0171, a Nanobody in clinical development for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.
authors.affiliation: Ablynx, NV, 21 Technologiepark, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium. Electronic address: gino.vanheeke@ablynx.com.
authors.forename: Gino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van Heeke
authors.affiliation: Ablynx, NV, 21 Technologiepark, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium.
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Allosery
authors.affiliation: Ablynx, NV, 21 Technologiepark, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium.
authors.forename: Veronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Brabandere
authors.affiliation: Ablynx, NV, 21 Technologiepark, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: De Smedt
authors.affiliation: Ablynx, NV, 21 Technologiepark, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Detalle
authors.affiliation: Ablynx, NV, 21 Technologiepark, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium.
authors.forename: Antonin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Fougerolles
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D061905:Single-Domain Antibodies / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D061905:Single-Domain Antibodies
keywords: Antibody; Inhaled; Nanobody; Nebulizer; RSV; V(HH)