Alloy Therapeutics has announced a strategic collaboration with the Institute for Protein Innovation (IPI) to develop advanced VHH (nanobody) libraries designed to support next-generation antibody discovery. The partnership aims to enable the development of complex therapeutics, including bispecific and multispecific antibodies, by combining Alloy’s integrated drug discovery platform with IPI’s expertise in protein engineering and in vitro discovery technologies.

The collaboration will focus on creating highly engineered, humanised VHH libraries optimised for stability, reduced immunogenicity and improved translational potential. These libraries are expected to provide scalable and accessible solutions for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, helping accelerate drug development timelines and improve success rates.

By integrating Alloy’s in vivo discovery capabilities with IPI’s high-throughput in vitro platforms, the partnership aims to address challenging biological targets, particularly in areas such as neuroscience, where conventional antibody approaches often face limitations. The initiative also seeks to expand the availability of advanced discovery tools, supporting both industry and academic research.

As part of the collaboration, IPI has developed two synthetic VHH libraries using yeast display technology, incorporating advanced protein engineering techniques. These libraries are designed with modular ‘plug-and-play’ functionality, enabling seamless integration into multiple therapeutic formats.

Both organisations emphasised that the partnership reflects the growing need for collaborative innovation in drug discovery. The combined platform is expected to enable researchers to outsource hit discovery, accelerate development processes and enhance the design of complex therapeutic molecules.

VHH antibodies, known for their small size, stability and ability to target difficult biological structures, are emerging as a key component in next-generation therapeutics. Their flexibility makes them particularly suitable for multispecific drug development, an area of increasing focus across the biopharma industry.

The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to advancing protein science and improving access to cutting-edge technologies, ultimately aiming to accelerate the development of more effective therapies for patients worldwide.