I-Mab Acquires Bridge Health Biotech for $1.8M Initial Payment and $1.2M in Additional Payments through 2027.

I-Mab has signed an agreement to acquire Bridge Health Biotech for an initial payment of $1.8M, with additional payments totaling $1.2M scheduled through 2027. The deal aims to expand I-Mab's portfolio of antibody-based biologics and strengthen its position in the biotechnology industry.

I-Mab, a U.S.-based biotech company focused on precision immuno-oncology agents, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Bridge Health Biotech Co., Ltd. The deal, announced on July 17, 2025, aims to enhance I-Mab's intellectual property rights and strengthen its pipeline of antibody-based biologics.

Under the terms of the agreement, I-Mab will pay Bridge Health shareholders an upfront payment of $1.8 million, followed by non-contingent quarterly payments totaling $1.2 million through 2027. Additionally, Bridge Health shareholders may receive future milestone payments of up to $3.875 million, contingent upon the achievement of certain development and regulatory milestones [2].

The acquisition provides I-Mab with the rights to the CLDN18.2 parental antibody used in its CLDN18.2 x 4-1BB bispecific antibody, givastomig. This antibody has been observed to exhibit stronger binding affinity to cell lines expressing high, medium, and even low levels of CLDN18.2, which is believed to be a core differentiator for givastomig as a potential best-in-class bispecific antibody designed to treat Claudin 18.2-positive cancers [1].

I-Mab's CEO, Sean Fu, Ph.D., stated, "Advancing givastomig is our top priority. The strategic acquisition of Bridge Health emphasizes our focus on enhancing the value of givastomig. With this transaction, we have further enriched the potential value of givastomig by strengthening upstream intellectual property rights, reducing future milestone payments, and unencumbering givastomig of future royalties" [2].

Givastomig is currently in development for first-line metastatic gastric cancers, with potential to expand into other solid tumors. Recent positive data from a Phase 1b dose escalation study showed an 83% objective response rate (ORR) in the doses selected for dose expansion, with favorable overall tolerability [2].

The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025. Sidley Austin LLP served as legal advisor to I-Mab in connection with the transaction [2].

References:
[1] https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/i-mab-buys-bridge-health-18m-upfront-strengthen-pivot-cldn182-bispecific
[2] https://www.morningstar.com/news/globe-newswire/9496034/i-mab-strengthens-givastomig-intellectual-property-portfolio-through-acquisition-of-bridge-health