Harbour BioMed and Otsuka to Advance Bispecific T-Cell Engager for Autoimmune Diseases
Harbour BioMed has entered into a global strategic collaboration with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., granting Otsuka exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialise HBM7020, a BCMAxCD3 bispecific T-cell engager, outside of Greater China.
$670 Million Global Licensing Deal Focused on Autoimmune Disease Drug Development
The collaboration provides Harbour BioMed with $47 million in upfront and near-term payments. Additionally, the company is eligible to receive up to $623 million tied to defined development and commercial milestones, along with royalties on future net sales. The deal establishes a platform for future co-development opportunities between the two companies in the T-cell engager space.
Dr. Jingsong Wang, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Harbour BioMed, said:
“We are delighted to collaborate with Otsuka, a global healthcare leader renowned for its innovative approach to addressing unmet medical needs. This collaboration underscores the strength of Harbour BioMed’s proprietary Harbour Mice® and HBICE® technology platforms, which enable the rapid development of fully human bispecific antibodies with optimized safety and efficacy profiles. By leveraging our unique capabilities, we are well-positioned to advance next-generation biotherapeutics that can make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives worldwide.”
HBM7020: A Next-Generation BCMAxCD3 Bispecific Antibody for T-Cell Activation and Autoimmune Treatment
HBM7020 is a next-generation bispecific antibody developed using Harbour BioMed’s proprietary HBICE® bispecific platform and Harbour Mice® technology. Designed to simultaneously bind to BCMA on B cells and CD3 on T cells, the molecule drives potent T cell-mediated cytotoxicity against pathogenic cells. Its dual anti-BCMA binding sites enhance target specificity, while its monovalent-optimised CD3 activity is engineered to reduce the risk of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a common side effect of T-cell-engaging therapies.
Preclinical studies have demonstrated HBM7020’s strong cytotoxic potential and broad therapeutic application in both oncology and immunology. In August 2023, the product received IND clearance from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to initiate a Phase I clinical trial in cancer.
Makoto Inoue, President and Representative Director of Otsuka Pharmaceutical, said:
“Otsuka is expanding our development pipeline in the autoimmune disease field by leveraging the antibody drug platform of our subsidiary Visterra, and the small molecule drug discovery platform of our subsidiary Jnana. HBM7020 is expected to demonstrate efficacy in a broad range of autoimmune diseases in which B cells play a major role in disease pathogenesis, and we hope to contribute further to the field of specialized autoimmune diseases and thereby benefit patients.”
The partnership leverages Harbour BioMed’s expanding pipeline of fully human antibody therapies and Otsuka’s robust infrastructure in pharmaceutical development, combining capabilities to accelerate novel treatments for diseases with limited therapeutic options.
About HBM7020
HBM7020 is a BCMAxCD3 bispecific antibody engineered to engage both B cells and T cells, initiating immune-mediated cytotoxicity against disease-causing B cells. Developed using Harbour BioMed’s HBICE® and Harbour Mice® platforms, HBM7020 includes dual anti-BCMA arms for enhanced target engagement and a monovalent CD3 arm to reduce CRS risk. It has shown promise for treating autoimmune and oncologic diseases, with ongoing clinical investigation in China.
About Harbour BioMed
Harbour BioMed is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative antibody-based therapeutics in immunology and oncology. Its proprietary platforms Harbour Mice®, HBICE®, and HBICATM, enable the discovery of fully human monoclonal and bispecific antibodies with enhanced specificity, efficacy, and safety. The company integrates internal R&D, global partnerships, and strategic acquisitions to advance its pipeline. Learn more at www.harbourbiomed.com.
About Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a diversified global healthcare company delivering innovative solutions across medical and nutraceutical domains. With a strong focus on individualised health, Otsuka develops treatments and diagnostics for both physical and mental health, and supports wellness through scientifically backed nutraceuticals. For more, visit www.otsuka.co.jp/en/.
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