iBio Expands Pipeline with New Antibody Agreement

iBio, Inc. (NYSEA:IBIO), an AI-driven innovator of precision antibody immunotherapies, has expanded its cardiometabolic and obesity treatment development program by in-licensing a potentially best-in-class long-acting anti-myostatin antibody from AstralBio, Inc. The agreement, announced on January 2, 2025, bolsters iBio's pipeline and underscores the company's commitment to developing innovative therapies for challenging targets.

The licensed antibody, now named IBIO-600, was identified by AstralBio using iBio's proprietary technology stack and was designed for subcutaneous administration with the potential for an extended half-life. Pursuant to the agreement, AstralBio received an upfront payment of $750,000, paid through the issuance of iBio's common stock, and is eligible for development and commercialization milestone payments totaling up to $28 million. If iBio sublicenses the licensed product, AstralBio will receive low to mid-single-digit sublicense fees on the proceeds of the sublicense fees.

IBIO-600 has shown potent inhibition of myostatin in human muscle cell precursors, effectively blocking its inhibitory effects on muscle growth. Additionally, the antibody has been engineered to bind to the FcRn receptor with more than 10-fold higher affinity than normal IgG, supporting the potential for reduced dosing frequency. The molecule has been advanced into non-cGMP in vivo studies in rodents and non-human primates (NHP) with the first data read-outs expected in early 2025.

In parallel with the myostatin licensing agreement, iBio initiated a bispecific antibody program targeting myostatin/activin A to treat obesity and cardiometabolic disorders. This program leverages iBio's proprietary Drug Discovery Platform as well as the technology of IBIO-600. The myostatin/activin A bispecific antibody is designed to promote weight loss while preventing muscle loss and weight regain, potentially enabling less frequent dosing than current obesity treatments.