WuXi Biologics, a global company with leading open-access biologics technology platforms, and ImmuneOncia Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage, immuno-oncology company in South Korea, announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed to form a strategic partnership in the development and manufacturing of IOH-001, ImmuneOncia’s therapeutic bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and CD47.
Within the partnership, ImmuneOncia will have access to WuXi Biologics’ integrated services in cell line development, cell culture development, biologics manufacturing and bioassay development. WuXi Biologics will support ImmuneOncia on the whole CMC studies of IOH-001 for Investigational New Drug (IND) application.
Heung Tae Kim, CEO of ImmuneOncia, commented, “We are excited to collaborate with WuXi Biologics. WuXi Biologics’ comprehensive capabilities on bispecifics development and manufacturing will enable us to focus on realizing the therapeutic potential of IOH-001. More importantly, access to WuXi Biologics’ world-leading technologies will help ensuring its efficacious and sustainable development. We look forward to expanding collaboration in the future to bring more innovative biologics for patients in South Korea. ”
Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, commented, “We are glad to partner with ImmuneOncia to proceed its first bispecific antibody into clinical development through our integrated services and know-how. At WuXi Biologics, we have demonstrated our extensive capabilities for CMC development, analytical method, and quality control by enabling over 60 bispecific projects. We are committed to providing innovative technical solutions, reliable and sustainable manufacturing supply chain for our global partners to benefit patients worldwide.”
ImmuneOncia is an immuno-oncology-centric biopharmaceutical company. Established in 2016 as a joint venture company between Yuhan Corporation in South Korea and Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. in U.S. ImmuneOncia leverages both companies’ expertise in drug development and antibody engineering. The company’s mission is to bring safe, effective, and novel immunotherapies to oncology patients world-wide, and its diverse immune checkpoint inhibitor portfolio includes an anti-PDL1 antibody IMC-001 in Phase II, and an anti-CD47 antibody IMC-002 in Phase I. For IMC-002, ImmuneOncia signed a license agreement with 3D Medicines for the Territory of Greater China in March 2021.