<Page> EXHIBIT 21.1 DYAX CORP. SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY <Table> <Caption> NAME PARENT STATE OR COUNTRY OF INCORPORATION - ---- ------ --------------------------------- Dyax Holdings B.V. Dyax Corp. Netherlands Dyax B.V. Dyax Holdings B.V. Netherlands Dyax S.A. Dyax Corp. Belgium Biotage, Inc. Dyax Corp. Delaware Biotage UK, Ltd. Biotage, Inc. United Kingdom Biotage Japan, Ltd. Biotage, Inc. Japan Biotage GmbH Biotage, Inc. Germany Biotage Italy S.r.l. Biotage GmbH Italy </Table>