ABL Bio and GSK Join Forces to Develop Neurodegenerative Treatments Using Grabody-B Platform

ABL Bio and GSK Collaborate for Neurodegenerative Disease Therapies



In an important step for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, ABL Bio Inc. (KOSDAQ: 298380), a biotechnology firm specializing in bispecific antibody technology for oncology and neurodegenerative conditions, has announced a pivotal global licensing agreement with GSK. This partnership is poised to leverage ABL Bio's innovative Grabody-B platform, designed to address one of the most significant challenges in neuropharmaceutical development: the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Understanding the Challenge of the Blood-Brain Barrier



The blood-brain barrier serves as a protective shield that regulates what substances can enter the brain, effectively blocking harmful agents while also restricting beneficial therapies from accessing target areas. This barrier represents a formidable hurdle when attempting to develop effective treatments for neurological conditions. ABL Bio’s Grabody-B platform offers a novel solution by focusing on the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), thereby facilitating the transport of therapeutic agents across this barrier.

Terms of the Agreement



Under the new licensing agreement, ABL Bio is set to receive up to £77.1 million in initial and milestone payments, including an upfront payment of £38.5 million. The agreement also allows ABL Bio to potentially earn up to £2.075 billion through additional research, development, regulatory, and commercialization milestones across multiple prospective programs. Should the products reach commercialization, ABL Bio would receive tiered royalties based on net sales.

This collaboration aims to develop multiple programs targeting various therapeutic modalities, including monoclonal antibodies and nucleic acid-based therapies such as small interfering RNAs (siRNA) and antisense oligonucleotides (ASO). The goal is to address pressing unmet medical needs for patients suffering from conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, which are becoming increasingly prevalent due to an aging population.

Insights from Industry Leaders



Christopher Austin, Vice President of Research Technologies at GSK, remarked, “There is a critical need for new therapeutics to treat brain neurodegenerative diseases, particularly as their incidence continues to rise with an aging population. Many of the most promising new therapies are antibodies that struggle to effectively penetrate the brain without specialized transport mechanisms.” Austin further emphasized GSK’s commitment to utilizing innovative platform technologies to overcome the challenges posed by the BBB and unlock new possibilities for treating these devastating diseases.

Sang Hoon Lee, CEO of ABL Bio, added, “This agreement underscores ABL Bio’s leadership in BBB technology and our commitment to advancing transformative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases through strategic partnerships with leading global pharmaceutical companies like GSK. This partnership will not only enhance our market position in neurodegenerative therapies but also expedite the commercialization of the Grabody-B platform.”

With the increasing number of patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases globally, ABL Bio and GSK’s collaboration brings hope for accelerated development of innovative treatment options that can profoundly change patient outcomes.

About ABL Bio



ABL Bio is dedicated to developing a range of clinical and preclinical products based on its bispecific antibody platform, Grabody. The company has active clinical programs across several countries, including the United States, China, Australia, and South Korea, targeting diverse antibody groups, including ABL301, ABL001, ABL111, ABL503, ABL105, ABL202, and ABL103. Notably, the FDA has granted a Fast Track designation for ABL001 to support its expedited development. Furthermore, ABL Bio is preparing to initiate clinical trials for ABL104 and continually explores and develops various additional candidate products, including bispecific antibody conjugates and drug conjugates (ADCs).

Topics Health)

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