HCW Biologics Secures Global Licensing Deal With WY Biotech

HCW Biologics Inc., a U.S.-based clinical-stage biopharma company dedicated to developing innovative immunotherapies targeting inflammation and age-related diseases, has announced a global exclusive license agreement with WY Biotech Co., Ltd., a China-based company specializing in recombinant protein drugs and gene/cell therapies. This collaboration focuses on advancing and commercializing one of HCWB’s drug candidates, developed through its novel drug discovery platform for therapeutic use.

Under the agreement, WY Biotech will pay HCWB $7 million upfront and is committed to funding all associated costs for research, development, manufacturing, clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and commercialization. HCWB will also be eligible for significant milestone payments, double-digit royalties on future sales, and a share of proceeds from potential future transactions involving the molecule. 

Additionally, HCWB retains a royalty-free, milestone-free option to regain development and commercialization rights for the molecule in the U.S., Canada, Central America, and South America (Opt-in Territory) after completing Phase 1 clinical trials. HCWB will handle all development, approval, and commercialization costs within the Opt-in Territory if this option is exercised. The two companies will collaborate globally during the development phase, focusing on clinical advancement and strategic partnerships. 

Dr. Hing C. Wong, HCWB’s Founder and CEO, said,  “HCW Biologics’ strategic focus has been establishing commercialization partnerships for its novel protein and antibody therapies with innovative leaders in the immunotherapy field. To this end, we have leveraged our in-depth knowledge of T cell and natural killer (NK) cell immunology and our brand-new proprietary drug discovery platform technologies to develop a portfolio of three classes of potent immunotherapeutics: Class I: Multi-Functional Immune Cell Stimulators; Class II: Second-Generation Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Multi-Specific Targeting Fusions; and Class III: Enhanced Immune Cell Engagers. We have developed molecules in each of these classes for treating hematologic and solid tumours, virally infected cells, and cellular senescence diseases associated with ageing. The product candidate subject to the license with WY Biotech combines several different immune functional domains on our new protein scaffold platform as part of our Class I portfolio.”

He continued, “Our preclinical studies demonstrated that this multi-functional product candidate is highly effective at inducing anti-tumour CD8+ T cell and NK cell responses without triggering unwanted side effects in relevant solid tumor animal models. It appears to be one of the most potent immunostimulatory agents we have developed in over 30 years of biotech research. It should combine well with other therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, immune cell engagers, therapeutic antibodies, and CAR-T therapies. We are very excited that WY Biotech recognizes the potential and value of this preclinical Class I molecule for human treatment. We look forward to collaborating with them on this novel approach's clinical and commercial development.”