On January 12, 2025 Molecular Partners AG (SIX: MOLN; NASDAQ: MOLN), a clinical-stage biotech company developing a new class of custom-built protein drugs known as DARPin therapeutics ("Molecular Partners" or the "Company"), reported an update on its programs, development plans and guidance on key milestones expected in 2025, to be presented at the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, California (Press release, Molecular Partners, JAN 12, 2025, View Source [SID1234649620]).

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"We are excited to enter 2025 with upcoming key value inflection points, on the Radio-DARPin side as well as Switch-DARPin and clinical T-cell engagers, to build on our achievements through 2024. Our recently expanded strategic partnership with Orano Med ensures us access to 212Pb, to arm our Radio-DARPins for up to 10 products. MP0712, our most advanced Radio-DARPin targeting DLL3, is moving into clinical development in 2025. Further, we have selected Mesothelin as the second target in the Orano Med partnership, with unique DARPin binders that only bind to juxtamembrane Meso while not being inhibited by the shed target," said Patrick Amstutz, Ph.D., CEO of Molecular Partners.

Molecular Partners has further strengthened and expanded its agreement with Orano Med for co-development of up to ten 212Pb-based Radio-DARPins. Molecular Partners holds commercialization rights to MP0712, which is the most advanced program, as well as the second nominated Radio-DARPin candidate, which targets the membrane-proximal portion of cell surface glycoprotein Mesothelin (MSLN). Orano Med will ensure the production of the 212Pb-based Radio-DARPins for clinical trials and commercialization. Further details on this second candidate are scheduled to be unveiled at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) in Q2 2025.

Patrick Amstutz continued, "We are equally excited that our work on the MP0533 candidate in R/R AML is starting to yield encouraging results. As we work to implement our previously discussed protocol amendments, we are already starting to see patients benefit from treatment in our ongoing cohort 8, where we introduced an additional dosing timepoint early on. These preliminary data provide us with reassurance that our strategy to further densify early dosing has merit and could enable more patients to benefit longer from MP0533."

Cash and Cash Equivalents:
As of Dec 31 2024, Molecular Partners reports cash and cash equivalents of CHF 149 M (unaudited) and will provide full YE financial results on March 6, 2025.

Key current program status updates include:

MP0712 & Radio-DARPin pipeline

The Investigational New Drug (IND) application for MP0712, a 212Pb Radio-DARPin candidate against the tumor-associated protein delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3), is in preparation. Dialogue with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is ongoing and Molecular Partners and Orano Med anticipate submitting the IND application for MP0712 in H1 2025, with the first-in-human study to start following regulatory clearance.

The IND submission is being built, in part, on strong MP0712 preclinical results, including new in vivo data presented at the European Association of Nuclear Medicine Congress in October 2024 and the European Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals Summit in December 2024. MP0712 demonstrated high affinity and specificity for DLL3, which is a highly relevant target for radiopharmaceutical therapy. DLL3 has been shown to have homogeneous expression in tumors of patients with small cell lung cancer, and expression in healthy tissues is low.

The second Radio-DARPin program co-developed with Orano Med targets MSLN, which is overexpressed across several cancers with high unmet need, such as ovarian cancer, and largely absent from healthy tissues. The development of therapeutics against MSLN has been hampered by high shedding of MSLN. Leveraging the unique DARPin properties, Molecular Partners has developed Radio-DARPins able to selectively bind to the membrane-proximal portion of MSLN present on cells and are therefore not impacted by shed MSLN.

In addition to the above updates, Molecular Partners continues to progress its Radio-DARPin Therapy (RDT) portfolio of projects in partnership with Novartis and is evaluating additional targets for RDT programs.

MP0533 (multispecific T cell engager)

MP0533 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1/2a clinical trial for relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome/AML (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05673057). Dose escalation in cohort 1–7 showed an acceptable safety profile and initial activity yet unsustained responses (four responders reported and encouraging blast reductions across additional patients), as presented in December 2024 at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting.

In the currently ongoing cohort 8, in which an additional early dosing timepoint was introduced to allow steeper and more frequent dosing to reach the MP0533 target dose faster, increased rates and depth of responses are being observed, with three out of the first eight evaluable patients demonstrating responses to-date (data cutoff 16 December 2024). Molecular Partners has submitted an amendment to the study protocol to improve the exposure profile of MP0533 and to further deepen and expand responses being observed in cohort 8. Data on the amended dosing scheme are expected in 2025.

MP0533 is a novel tetraspecific T cell engaging DARPin which simultaneously targets the three tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) CD33, CD123, and CD70, as well as CD3 on T cells. The mechanism of action of MP0533 is designed to preferentially kill AML cells that express at least two of the three TAAs while sparing healthy cells, which express only one or none of these targets. The immune activation against the malignant cells is achieved through CD3-mediated T cell engagement.

Switch-DARPin Platform (next-generation immune cell engagers)

Preclinical proof-of-concept in a solid tumor model for the novel T cell engager Switch-DARPin was presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) in November. The presented data provide further validation of Switch-DARPins showing that conditional Tcell activation with potent co-stimulation in solid tumors, but not in healthy tissues, is feasible.

Specifically, the CD3 Switch-DARPin molecule was shown to effectively induce potent tumor regression in vivo. Reduced cytokine release was observed in healthy tissues compared to tumor tissue. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a significant toxicity event that has been observed with many T cell engagers in the clinic. As such, masking CD3 may prevent T cell activation in the absence of tumor antigens and allow for "silent" T cell engagers outside of tumors, thereby reducing the risk of CRS and providing a better safety profile to T cell engagers. In addition, co-engagement of CD2 led to sustained T cell activation and cytotoxic capacity, thereby enabling the development of potent T cell engagers with improved therapeutic window. Molecular Partners plans to present further in vivo data on the CD3 Switch-DARPin at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in Q2 2025.

MP0317 (localized agonist)

Molecular Partners presented comprehensive biomarker analyses from the completed Phase 1 clinical trial of the CD40 agonist MP0317 in solid tumors at SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) in November 2024. MP0317 is designed to activate immune cells specifically within the tumor microenvironment by anchoring to fibroblast activation protein (FAP) which is expressed in high amounts in the stroma of various solid tumors. This tumor-localized approach has the potential to deliver greater efficacy with fewer side effects compared to systemic CD40-targeting therapies.

Molecular Partners is in discussion with leading academic centers regarding potential investigator-initiated combination trials of MP0317 in 2025, in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors and additional standard of care.

J.P. Morgan Presentation Details:

Presenter: Molecular Partners CEO Patrick Amstutz
Time: January 15, 2025, at 9:00 AM PST (6:00 PM CET)
Location: Westin St. Francis, Elizabethan A Ballroom, San Francisco, CA

A webcast will be accessible on the Molecular Partners website, under the Events tab.

On January 10, 2025 Bio-Path Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ:BPTH), a biotechnology company leveraging its proprietary DNAbilize liposomal delivery and antisense technology to develop a portfolio of targeted nucleic acid cancer and obesity drugs, reported a clinical development and operational update for 2025 (Press release, Bio-Path Holdings, JAN 10, 2025, View Source [SID1234649588]).

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"The important work we conducted throughout 2024 has led us into what we believe is an exciting 2025 as we build off positive data generated in oncology and the addition of a new application for BP1001-A in the treatment of obesity for Type 2 Diabetes. This new application compels us to advance these studies as quickly as possible and to file for regulatory designations that could accelerate our path to approval," said Peter H. Nielsen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bio-Path. "There is no greater challenge than the battle against cancer, and developing effective new medicines for patients suffering with few treatment options is what drives us every day. The addition of development of a potential treatment for obesity in Type 2 Diabetes patients follows this pathway as these patients need treatment beyond current weight loss drugs to support needed therapy for reducing glucose levels, which has positive impact across a number of different health-related conditions. The substantial progress we have made gives us further confidence that our DNAbilize platform is ushering in a new path of DNA-powered medicines that can make a difference in the lives of these patients."

Clinical Program Overview

Bio-Path’s clinical development program consists of one Phase 2 clinical trial, two Phase 1 or 1/1b clinical trials, and two preclinical programs. Bio-Path has developed a molecular biomarker package for its Phase 2 clinical trial in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that was developed to identify patients that potentially have a higher propensity to respond to prexigebersen treatment. Bio-Path expects to utilize the biomarker package to accompany prexigebersen treatment in 2025 and expects to evaluate prexigebersen for the treatment of obesity. In addition, BP1001-A is in preclinical development for treatment of obesity in Type 2 Diabetes patients, which may be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later in the year in an Investigational New Drug (IND) application.

Development of Molecular Biomarkers – Bio-Path has developed a molecular biomarker package to accompany prexigebersen treatment, the goal of which is to identify patients with a genetic profile more likely to respond to treatment thereby improving probability of success for this program. The emerging role of biomarkers has been enhancing cancer development over the past decade and has become a more common companion to many cancer development programs. Bio-Path expects to utilize the prexigebersen biomarkers in 2025 in the Phase 2 AML clinical trial and to develop additional molecular biomarker packages to accompany its new programs.

Prexigebersen Phase 2 Clinical Trial – Bio-Path’s Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of AML is comprised of three cohorts of patients and treatments, each separately approvable by the FDA as a new indication. The first two cohorts are treating patients with the triple combination of prexigebersen, decitabine and venetoclax. The first cohort includes untreated AML patients, and the second cohort includes relapsed/refractory AML patients. Finally, the third cohort is treating relapsed/refractory AML patients who are venetoclax-resistant or intolerant with the two-drug combination of prexigebersen and decitabine. Outcomes for these older patients who are unable to receive intensive chemotherapy due to the challenging side effect profile, remain suboptimal with a median survival of only 5 to 10 months. Bio-Path also expects to utilize an advisory panel of AML experts to assist in the design of the final clinical development plans through potential FDA approval. Other significant milestones expected during 2025 include the completion of Cohort 2 and an interim analysis for Cohort 3.

Phase 1/1b Clinical Trial in BP1001-A in Advanced Solid Tumors – A Phase 1/1b clinical trial of BP1001-A in patients with advanced or recurrent solid tumors, including ovarian and uterine, pancreatic and breast cancer, is ongoing. BP1001-A is a modified product candidate that incorporates the same drug substance as prexigebersen but has a slightly modified formulation designed to enhance nanoparticle properties. The Phase 1 study has advanced to the second, higher dose level and the first patient in the second dose cohort continued experiencing a positive response which may signal that this analog of prexigebersen has potential as a new treatment for advanced solid tumors. The patient continues to be doing well after ten months on study after failing extensive chemotherapy and surgical treatment for gynecologic cancer, demonstrating a 15% reduction in her primary tumor through nine cycles of treatment. Moreover, it appears that these positive outcomes may have contributed to allowing her to continue with rigorous exercise and improved quality of life. Completion of the second and third dosing cohorts are expected in 2025.

The Phase 1b portion of the study is expected to commence after successful completion of the three BP1001-A monotherapy dose level cohorts and is intended to assess the safety and efficacy of BP1001-A in combination with paclitaxel in patients with recurrent ovarian or endometrial tumors. Phase 1b studies are also expected to be initiated in combination with gemcitabine in Stage 4 pancreatic cancer and combination therapy in breast cancer.

Phase 1/1b Clinical Trial in BP1002 in Relapsed/Refractory AML – A Phase 1/1b clinical trial for BP1002 to treat relapsed/refractory AML patients, including venetoclax-resistant patients, is ongoing. BP1002 targets the protein Bcl-2, which is responsible for driving cell survival in up to 60% of all cancers. Venetoclax treats AML patients by blocking the activity of the Bcl-2 protein in AML patients. However, over time patients become resistant to venetoclax. BP1002 treats the Bcl-2 target by blocking the cell’s ability to produce Bcl-2 and could provide benefit for these venetoclax resistant patients. AML patients that fail frontline venetoclax-based therapy have very poor prognosis with median overall survival of less than three months. The first dose cohort consisted of a starting dose of 20 mg/m2, the second dose cohort of 40 mg/m2 and there were no dose limiting toxicities. The third dosing cohort of 60 mg/m2 is open and enrollment closed faster than expected which Bio-Path believes reflects the need for additional treatment options.

Prexigebersen as Potential Treatment for Obesity in Type 2 Diabetes Patients – BP1001-A downregulates Grb2 expression to increase insulin sensitivity and helps lower blood glucose level in Type 2 diabetes patients. Scientific evidence suggests that by downregulating Grb2 expression, BP1001-A could help lower blood glucose levels by affecting insulin signaling. Bio-Path conducted preclinical studies that confirmed the effectiveness of BP1001-A in affecting insulin signaling and its potential efficacy as a therapeutic treatment for obese patients who have Type 2 diabetes. In 2025, Bio-Path expects to complete preclinical testing and to file an IND.

Intellectual Property Protection

Bio-Path’s composition of matter patents are designed to protect encroachment from third parties on its proprietary products. These composition patents allow the Company to apply its core technology to new protein targets and receive new 20-year patents. Bio-Path’s patent portfolio is as follows:

Composition and methods of use patents issued cover DNAbilize technology, solely owned by Bio-Path.
Seven patents issued in the U.S. with one additional application allowed; 61 foreign patents issued across 24 countries; five additional foreign patent applications allowed; three applications pending in the U.S. along with more than 30 applications pending in foreign jurisdictions.

On January 10, 2025 Tyra Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: TYRA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation precision medicines that target large opportunities in Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR) biology, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for TYRA-300 allowing the company to proceed with a Phase 2 clinical trial of TYRA-300 in low-grade, intermediate risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (IR NMIBC) (Press release, Tyra Biosciences, JAN 10, 2025, View Source [SID1234649605]). This program will be led by newly appointed Dr. Erik Goluboff, SVP, Clinical Development of TYRA, who brings more than thirty years of experience as an academic urologic oncologist, principal investigator, practicing urologist and most recently Principal Medical Lead for GU/GI cancers at Genentech/Roche.

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TYRA-300 is a potential first-in-class, investigational, oral, FGFR3-selective inhibitor designed to avoid the toxicities associated with inhibition of FGFR1, FGFR2 and FGFR4, while being agnostic for the FGFR3 gatekeeper mutations. FGFR3 is the most frequently altered gene in NMIBC, with 60-80% of IR NMIBC showing alterations. TYRA-300 is expected to be evaluated in three Phase 2 studies: SURF302 for IR NMIBC, BEACH301 for pediatric achondroplasia (ACH) and SURF301 for metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC).

SURF302 will be an open-label Phase 2 clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of TYRA-300 in participants with FGFR3-altered low-grade, IR NMIBC. The study will enroll up to 90 participants at multiple sites primarily in the United States. Participants will be randomized initially to treatment with TYRA-300 at 50 mg once-daily (QD) (Cohort 1) or treatment with TYRA-300 at 60 mg QD (Cohort 2). Following a review of efficacy and safety, an additional dosing cohort may be evaluated. The primary endpoint is complete response (CR) rate at three months. Secondary endpoints include time to recurrence, the median duration of response, recurrence free survival (RFS), progression free survival (PFS), safety and tolerability.

"Receiving FDA IND clearance is an important milestone in the advancement of TYRA-300 and for patients with NMIBC who urgently need better tolerated therapeutic options," commented Doug Warner, Chief Medical Officer of TYRA. "We look forward to leveraging Erik’s impressive background to guide our development plans in NMIBC. We expect to initiate patient dosing in the second quarter of this year, with initial three-month CR data to follow."

Dr. Goluboff joins TYRA from Genentech/Roche, where he was Principal Medical Lead for GU/GI cancers and was responsible for driving business and pipeline opportunities in those indications. Prior to Genentech/Roche, Dr. Goluboff held positions of increasing responsibility at AstraZeneca, including most recently as Global Clinical Head for IMFINZI (durvalumab) and tremelimumab for GU, GYN and tumor agnostic. Before joining industry, he held urology professorships at Columbia and Mount Sinai and managed thousands of patients from diagnosis to late line disease, medically and surgically, with bladder, prostate, and kidney cancers. He was a principal investigator for multiple clinical trials and has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers. He received his B.A. from Columbia University, an M.D. from Johns Hopkins, and an M.B.A. from NYU’s Stern School of Business. Dr. Goluboff completed his surgical internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital and his urology residency and urologic oncology fellowship at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.

"For the last thirty years, I have dedicated my career to helping patients with bladder cancer as a urologic oncologist, a principal investigator running clinical trials, and as a drug developer seeking new and more effective therapies for patients with urologic cancers," added Dr. Goluboff. "I believe that TYRA-300 is the most compelling agent in development for the treatment of IR NMIBC, with a proven mechanism of action and more attractive tolerability profile than pan-FGFR inhibitors, which made joining TYRA a very exciting opportunity. I look forward to advancing TYRA-300 through the Phase 2 SURF302 study and delivering benefit to patients in need."

About Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

In the United States, it is estimated that there are more than 730,000 people living with bladder cancer. Many of these patients have intermediate risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (IR NMIBC) and experience recurrence episodes throughout the course of their disease. Treatment for IR NMIBC and disease recurrence is a surgical procedure called transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) combined with intravesical-administered chemotherapy. Repeat TURBT procedures and intravesical-administered chemotherapy can impact patients’ quality of life and overall health, leading to a significant unmet medical need for better tolerated therapeutic options. TYRA-300 is the only orally administered investigational agent in clinical development for IR NMIBC.

About TYRA-300

TYRA-300 is the Company’s lead precision medicine program stemming from its in-house SNÅP platform. TYRA-300 is an investigational, oral, FGFR3-selective inhibitor currently in development for the treatment of cancer and skeletal dysplasia, including achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia. In oncology, TYRA-300 is being evaluated in metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) and intermediate risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (IR NMIBC). In mUC, TYRA-300 is being evaluated in a multi-center, open label Phase 1/2 clinical study, SURF301 (Study in Untreated and Resistant FGFR3+ Advanced Solid Tumors) (NCT05544552). The study is designed to determine the optimal and the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of TYRA-300, as well as to evaluate the preliminary antitumor activity of TYRA-300. In October 2024, TYRA reported interim clinical proof-of-concept data in mUC from SURF301. TYRA has received IND clearance from the U.S. FDA to proceed with its SURF302 clinical trial in patients with IR NMIBC. In skeletal dysplasia, TYRA-300 has demonstrated positive preclinical results in achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia, and TYRA has received IND clearance from the U.S FDA to proceed with its BEACH301 clinical trial in children with achondroplasia.

On January 10, 2025 Bio-Techne (NASDAQ: TECH), a global leader in life science tools and reagents, reported the launch of new designer proteins engineered using advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) based design platforms and protein evolutionary workflows (Press release, Bio-Techne, JAN 10, 2025, View Source [SID1234649589]). This expanded portfolio from Bio-Techne’s R&D Systems brand includes IL-2 Heat Stable Agonist, Activin A Hyperactive, FGF basic Heat Stable (available both for research use only (RUO) and made under good manufacturing processes (GMP) for therapeutic development), as well as Wnt/RSPO1 Agonist, Wnt/RSPO2 Agonist, and Wnt/RSPO3 Agonist proteins.

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These innovative recombinant proteins are designed and engineered to address critical needs in cellular therapy workflows and research applications, including improved cell culture performance and optimized cell expansion. Leveraging generative AI trained on data developed over almost five decades of proteomic leadership, protein library evolution, and rational design, Bio-Techne’s expanded portfolio delivers next-generation cytokines and growth factors with tailored functionalities such as hyperactivity, enhanced receptor affinities, and improved heat stability.

"Our growing portfolio of designer proteins combine cutting-edge AI technology and innovative protein engineering," said Will Geist, President, Protein Sciences Segment. "This expanded portfolio empowers our customers with versatile, high-performance solutions to boost the production of immune cells and enhance regenerative medicine cell therapies. Bio-Techne remains committed to developing the tools and workflow solutions our customers need to advance innovative cell therapies in both clinical and research settings."

The new products include:

IL-2 Heat Stable Agonist: Engineered with enhanced thermal stability and altered receptor affinity for improved biological activity, ideal for cellular therapy applications such as CAR T-cell or Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) expansion.

Activin A Hyperactive: Optimized for superior performance in regenerative medicine cell differentiation applications.

FGF basic Heat Stable: A robust and versatile growth factor designed for improved protein stability and performance for stem cell culture applications, available in both RUO and GMP formats to support cell therapy manufacturing and advanced research.

Wnt/RSPO1, Wnt/RSPO2, and Wnt/RSPO3 Agonists: Key reagents for advancing stem cell research, organoid development, and regenerative medicine.

On January 10, 2025 Harbour BioMed (HKEX: 02142, the "Company"), a global biopharmaceutical company committed to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel antibody therapeutics focusing on immune-oncology and immunology, reported that the Company and Sichuan Kelun Biotech BioPharmaceutical (HKEX: 06990, "Kelun-Biotech") have entered into a license agreement with Windward Bio AG ("Windward Bio") for HBM9378/SKB378, an anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) fully human monoclonal antibody co-developed by Harbour BioMed and Kelun-Biotech (Press release, Harbour BioMed, JAN 10, 2025, View Source [SID1234649606]).

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Under the terms of the agreement, Windward Bio is granted an exclusive license to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize HBM9378/SKB378 globally, excluding Greater China and several Southeast and West Asian countries. In return, Harbour BioMed and Kelun-Biotech are eligible to receive a total of up to $970 million upfront and milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties ranging from single to double digits on net sales. The $45 million upfront and near-term milestone payments include both cash payment and an equity interest in Windward Bio’s parent company. Furthermore, Harbour BioMed and Kelun-Biotech are eligible to receive additional payments if Windward Bio undergoes a near-term change of control or enters into a sublicense agreement with a third party. All payments under the license agreement shall be paid in equal amounts to Harbour BioMed and Kelun-Biotech.

In connection with the license agreement, Windward Bio announced a $200 million Series A financing round led by OrbiMed, Novo Holdings, and Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities, along with co-investors SR One, Omega Funds, RTW Investments, Qiming Venture Partners, Quan Capital, and Pivotal bioVenture Partners.

"We are delighted to partner with Windward Bio to advance the development of HBM9378/SKB378, a promising TSLP-targeted fully human antibody with significant potential to address immunological diseases," said Dr. Jingsong Wang, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Harbour BioMed. "This collaboration demonstrates the value of our Harbour Mice technology platform and reflects our commitment to bring transformative treatments to patients worldwide."

About HBM9378/SKB378

HBM9378/SKB378 (now also known as WIN378) is a co-development project jointly conducted by Harbour BioMed and Kelun-Biotech, with both parties equally sharing the global rights. It is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting TSLP, generated from the two heavy chains and two light chains (H2L2) Harbour Mice platform. It inhibits the TSLP-mediated signaling pathway by blocking the interaction between TSLP and its receptor, which is a well-validated cytokine plays a key role in the development and progression of various immunological conditions, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Inhibition of this pathway has shown benefits across multiple inflammatory phenotypes. The antibody’s long half-life optimization and outstanding biophysical properties provide a favorable dosing advantage.

Prior to the execution of the license agreement, Harbour BioMed submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the Centre for Drug Evaluation of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China for HBM9378/SKB378 for the treatment of COPD in November 2024. The company has also completed a phase I clinical trial in China under an IND for the treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma.