Harbour BioMed (HKG: 2142), a biotech company operating out of the United States, the Netherlands, and Suzhou (China), has announced a licensing agreement with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd’s (HKG: 1093) wholly-owned subsidiary Shijiazhuang Pharma Group NBP Pharmaceutical (Shijiazhuang) Co. Ltd. The agreement grants NBP Pharma exclusive development, manufacturing, and commercialization rights to batoclimab (HBM9161) in Greater China (including mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan). In return, NBP Pharma will pay Harbour Bio upwards of RMB 1 billion (USD 139 million), including RMB 150 million (USD 20.8 million) in an upfront payment and potential milestone payments, alongside tiered sales commission based on annual net sales.
Batoclimab: Drug Profile and Development
Batoclimab has been shown to rapidly reduce total IgG by blocking FcRn-IgG interactions and accelerating the degradation of autoantibodies by blocking the binding of FcRn and IgG. The molecule is under development to treat a range of autoimmune diseases, including myasthenia gravis, thyroid-related ophthalmopathy, optic neuromyelitis spectrum disease, immune thrombocytopenia, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, pemphigus vulgaris, and more.
Future Outlook
The licensing agreement underscores Harbour BioMed’s commitment to advancing innovative treatments for autoimmune diseases. By partnering with CSPC’s NBP Pharma, Harbour BioMed aims to leverage NBP’s expertise and market presence in Greater China to bring batoclimab to patients in need. This collaboration is expected to accelerate the development and commercialization of batoclimab, ultimately improving patient outcomes.-Fineline Info & Tech
