Climb Bio expands pipeline via Mabworks deal

USA-based Climb Bio (Nasdaq: CLYM) said yesterday it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Beijing Mabworks Biotech (NEEQ: 874070) for rights to develop and commercialize MIL116 (now CLYM116), an anti-APRIL (A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand) monoclonal antibody, in the territory outside of Greater China.

Climb Bio believes CLYM116 is a potential best-in-class approach to address significant unmet need in patients with IgA nephropathy and other B-cell mediated diseases. This transaction furthers Climb Bio’s goal of becoming a leader in developing new treatment options for immune-mediated diseases, complementing the company’s anti-CD19 antibody, budoprutug. CLYM116 is currently in investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies, and Climb Bio plans to share data from the ongoing pre-clinical studies later in 2025.

"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," said Aoife Brennan, president and chief executive of Climb Bio, adding: "IgA nephropathy is the most common cause of glomerulonephritis worldwide, and we believe that inhibition of APRIL is both a clinically validated mechanism and potentially disease modifying approach for this indication. We look forward to rapidly advancing CLYM116 and sharing initial pre-clinical data later in 2025."