Last year was transformational for the Belgian biotech Ablynx. Not only did it sign the biggest product licensing deal of 2013 with AbbVie, it also further expanded its relationship with Merck Serono through a fourth collaboration; its first venture investors Gimv and Sofinnova Partners exited the company; and the firm took its first foray into the emerging markets via a $2m deal with China's Eddingpharm.