Mabwell Bioscience (SHA: 688062) announced a strategic partnership with Aditum Bio Fund 3, L.P. to form Kalexo Bio, Inc. The joint venture stems from a global exclusive licensing agreement for the dual‑target small‑interfering RNA (siRNA) asset 2MW7141, a novel therapy in development for cardiovascular disease.
Deal Highlights
- Exclusive rights: Mabwell transfers worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialise 2MW7141 to Kalexo.
- Financial upside: Up to $1 billion in upfront and milestone payments, plus tiered royalties.
- Immediate cash: A non‑refundable $12 million payment is already in hand.
- Equity component: Mabwell will receive an equity stake in Kalexo once key development milestones are achieved.
Strategic Rationale
The partnership positions Kalexo to accelerate 2MW7141 from pre‑clinical to clinical stages while leveraging Mabwell’s discovery platform and Aditum’s deep‑capital resources. The siRNA’s dual‑target design aims to modulate key inflammatory pathways implicated in atherosclerosis and heart failure, potentially filling a critical unmet need in cardiovascular therapeutics.
Market Implications
A $1 billion valuation framework signals robust investor confidence in siRNA therapeutics for non‑oncologic indications. If 2MW7141 demonstrates clinical efficacy, it could establish a new class of precision medicines for cardiovascular disease, prompting further investment in RNA‑based platforms across the biotech landscape.-Fineline Info & Tech
