History

Affibody was founded in 1998 by scientists from the Royal Institute of Technology and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. Prof. Mathias Uhlén from the Royal Institute of Technology and Prof. Hans Wigzell from the Karolinska Institute are among the founders.

Originally, Affibody’s focus was to develop innovative ligand-based affinity reagents and methods to help meet the growing worldwide need to better understand and utilize proteins involved in human diseases. Since then, Affibody’s research has progressed rapidly and today the focus is on development of the next generation products based on its unique Affibody® molecules and the albumin binding technology, Albumod™.

Certain important events in the development of Affibody’s business are set out below.

In 2000, Affibody entered into a collaboration agreement with GE Healthcare AB (formerly Amersham Biosciences AB) in the field of affinity separations.
In 2003, Affibody carried out the first demonstration of in vivo targeting using HER2 Affibody® molecules.
In 2004, the MabSelect SuRe™ product was launched by GE Healthcare AB (developed within the collaboration which started 2000). In the same year, Affibody also entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Finnzymes Oy under which Affibody granted Finnzymes Oy an exclusive license to use Affibody® molecules together with DNA polymerase.
In 2005, first-in-human data was obtained using the HER2 Affibody® molecule for molecular imaging and also pre-clinical therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated with this molecule. In the same year, Affibody also launched research reagents for direct sales and entered into a collaboration agreement with Agilent Technologies Inc. regarding the development of advanced protein sample preparation solutions for human biomarker discovery.
In 2006, Affibody entered into a research agreement with GE Healthcare Ltd regarding the development of Affibody® molecules for use in molecular imaging. In the same year, Affibody also entered into a collaboration agreement with Algeta ASA regarding anticancer targeted therapy and a distribution agreement with Abcam Ltd for worldwide distribution of Affibody’s research reagents.
In 2006, Finnzymes Oy launched a product based on an enzyme-inhibiting Affibody® molecule for a hot start polymerase chain reaction (PCR) application, and Agilent Technologies Inc. launched their first product based on an Affibody® molecule; Multiple Affinity Removal LC Columns – Human 7.
In 2007, Affibody started the clinical development of a new approach for the diagnosing of breast cancer based on the lead proprietary HER2 targeting Affibody® molecule.
In 2008, Affibody entered a technology evaluation agreement with Merck Sharp & Dohme for use of Affibody® molecules in drug development.
In 2009, a phase I, dose-finding breast cancer imaging study was approved in Germany and an exploratory bladder cancer imaging study was approved in Sweden for an Affibody® HER2 imaging agent.
In 2009, Affibody signed a collaboration agreement with Biovitrum AB with the aim of developing new targeted therapeutics for inflammation and autoimmune diseases.