We support immunization, discovery, and engineering of VHH-based modalities using advanced technologies and refined methodologies designed to unlock difficult targets and expand therapeutic possibilities
Single-domain antibodies (VHHs) hold immense promise to transform how we treat disease—enabling highly specific, stable, and engineerable biologics that can access targets beyond the reach of conventional antibodies. Their unique properties open new possibilities for tackling complex biology and previously intractable disease mechanisms.
At Abkyu, we bring the most advanced tools to in vivo VHH discovery, combining next-generation immunization strategies, deep immune repertoire capture, and data-driven discovery workflows. By working directly with the immune system and applying cutting-edge technologies, we help unlock high-quality VHHs capable of addressing today’s most challenging therapeutic targets—and shaping the medicines of tomorrow.
Abkyu is built by drug hunters with decades of combined experience in VHH discovery and antibody engineering. Our team approaches each program with a deep respect for biological complexity, drawing on extensive experience across diverse targets, mechanisms, and disease contexts. We begin by understanding the biology you are trying to interrogate—target biology, functional mechanism, and experimental constraints—then design discovery and engineering strategies that are fit for purpose. By letting biology guide immunization design, screening approaches, and downstream optimization, we increase the likelihood of identifying VHHs that are functionally relevant, developable, and aligned with therapeutic intent.
We rely on non-engineered, in vivo discovery approaches to harness the full adaptive capacity of the immune system. By allowing immune responses to evolve naturally against a defined antigen context, we capture greater functional diversity, higher-quality affinity maturation, and epitope coverage shaped by biology rather than by predefined library constraints. Each immune response is tailored to the specific target and mechanism of interest, enabling the recovery of VHHs that reflect true biological selection. In contrast to generalized in vitro repertoires, this approach prioritizes relevance, depth, and functional selection—providing starting points that are better aligned with downstream therapeutic goals.
We believe strong science is built through transparent, collaborative partnerships. Our business terms are designed to be clear and agreeable, with flexible engagement models that support programs ranging from early academic research to advanced discovery efforts at larger organizations. We provide accessible, end-to-end workflows that integrate seamlessly with your team while systematically de-risking programs at each stage of discovery. Importantly, our partners retain full ownership of all deliverables, ensuring freedom to advance, publish, or translate discoveries without restriction. By aligning incentives and maintaining open communication, we aim to be a trusted extension of your scientific team.
