Climb Bio is currently conducting IND-enabling studies for the therapy. Credit: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A / Shutterstock.

Climb Bio has entered an exclusive licence agreement with Beijing Mabworks Biotech for developing and commercialising the anti-A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) monoclonal antibody, CLYM116 (formerly MIL116), outside Greater China.

Under the agreement, Mabworks will obtain an upfront cash payment of $9m from Climb Bio, with additional milestone payments and royalties on net sales contingent on achieving certain development, regulatory, and commercial milestones.

Climb Bio will also pay tiered royalties on net sales outside of Greater China, ranging from low to mid-single digits.

Mabworks general manager and board chairman Dr Feng Li said: “MIL116 (now CLYM116) has been specifically designed to meet the needs of patients with IgA [immunoglobulin A] nephropathy and has shown promising data in several preclinical models.

“We are thrilled to partner with Climb Bio, given their focus on immune-mediated diseases, and leverage the capabilities and expertise of both organisations to advance this programme to clinical trials as expeditiously as possible.”

Climb Bio noted that the therapy is intended to address individuals with IgA nephropathy and other B-cell-mediated conditions. The company’s portfolio also includes budoprutug, an anti-cluster of differentiation 19 (CD19) antibody.

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With an Fc-engineered design, CLYM116 targets APRIL signalling, a key factor in B-cell-mediated diseases. The antibody’s mechanism of action includes blocking APRIL’s binding to its receptors and promoting its degradation.

The new bind-and-release design of the therapy allows for potent APRIL signalling inhibition and IgA depletion. The antibody’s engineering also extends its serum half-life, suggesting that patients could benefit from less frequent dosing.

Climb Bio is currently conducting IND-enabling studies for the therapy and plans to release preclinical study data this year.

Climb Bio CEO and president Aoife Brennan said: “Adding CLYM116 to our pipeline represents a pivotal moment for Climb Bio as we advance our ambition of becoming a leader in developing best-in-class treatments for patients with immune-mediated diseases.”