I am Bio Signs Technology Export for Autoimmune Disease Treatment... Contract Amount 27.6 Billion Won

US Navigator Medicine Transfer... Up to $924.75 Million
HK Inno.N and WyBio Substance Transfer Followed by Re-transfer

IMB-101, a bispecific antibody-based autoimmune disease treatment developed by I’m Biologics after being transferred from HK Innoen and Y-Biologics, has been licensed out with an upfront payment of 27.6 billion KRW and a maximum deal value of 1.276 trillion KRW.

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[Photo by I am Biologics]

Y-Biologics announced on the 17th that it has licensed IMB-101 to Navigator Medicines in the United States. The deal covers global territories excluding Asia (including Japan) and includes a non-refundable upfront payment of 20 million USD (approximately 27.6 billion KRW) and milestone payments up to 924.75 million USD (approximately 1.276 trillion KRW) based on development and commercialization stages. Additionally, royalties based on annual net sales can reach up to double-digit percentages, and separate revenue sharing will be provided according to a predetermined rate if third-party sublicenses occur.

IMB-101 is I’m Biologics’ core pipeline candidate, a bispecific antibody drug that simultaneously targets OX40L and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). It was derived from a joint research project between HK Innoen and Y-Biologics that began in 2016, and in 2020, when CEO Ha Kyung-sik and others from HK Innoen founded I’m Biologics, IMB-101 was transferred to the company.

IMB-101 is currently undergoing a Phase 1 clinical trial in the United States. The trial is designed as a hybrid of Phase 1a, which involves single-dose administration to healthy adults, and Phase 1b, which involves repeated dosing in patients. The Phase 1a dosing is expected to be completed soon, with plans to initiate Phase 1b in the second half of the year. Meanwhile, the contract also includes IMB-102, a monospecific antibody pipeline targeting only OX40L.

Ha Kyung-sik, CEO of I’m Biologics, stated, "We will work closely with Navigator Medicines to successfully launch IMB-101 and IMB-102 in the market and become a company that can help improve patients’ lives.” Stefan Thomas, CEO of Navigator Medicines, also said, “We are very pleased to start this partnership with I’m Biologics,” adding, “We plan to continue developing IMB-101 and IMB-102 to provide them to patients as quickly as possible.”