#China #Beijing #Brii Bio #BRII-179 #HBV Therapy

Brii Bio Enhances Capabilities Through Acquisition and Study Completion

Brii Biosciences Limited, also known simply as Brii Bio, is making significant strides in biotechnology as they announce the completion of an agreement to acquire the intellectual property rights related to BRII-179. This move comes alongside the successful enrollment of patients in the ENRICH study, which seeks to address chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections.

Significant Acquisition

On December 31, 2024, Brii Bio revealed that it has entered into an agreement with VBI Vaccines, Inc. and its creditors, acquiring valuable assets pertaining to BRII-179, which includes essential patents and know-how. Dr. Zhi Hong, the CEO of Brii Bio, emphasized the importance of this acquisition, stating it ensures uninterrupted clinical supply for BRII-179 and grants complete ownership of its intellectual property. This development not only enhances Brii Bio's control over future manufacturing and distribution but also eliminates any royalty obligations to VBI, making this a cost-effective move for the company.

The total outlay for this acquisition amounts to $18 million. Moreover, by concluding this deal, Brii Bio managed to nullify previous agreements with VBI that dated back to February 2024. This cancellation significantly reduces Brii's liabilities and sets the stage for a more robust financial strategy moving forward.

Focus on Hepatitis B

With over 254 million people infected worldwide, Hepatitis B poses a significant public health concern. Chronic HBV infection leads to severe liver diseases, accounting for approximately 820,000 deaths annually. In China alone, 87 million individuals are reported as chronically infected, which underlines the urgent need for effective treatments. Brii Bio is focusing on addressing this challenge with BRII-179, which has been developed as an immunotherapeutic candidate aimed at inducing enhanced immune responses among patients.

Clinical Testing and ENRICH Study

As of now, Brii Bio has launched several combination treatment studies involving BRII-179, adopting a strategic approach to deliver higher functional cure rates for chronic HBV. The company's efforts have paid off with the full enrollment of patients in the ENRICH study, a crucial Phase 2b trial examining the sequential treatment of BRII-179 paired with elebsiran and PEG-IFNα.

Emerging data from past studies suggest that BRII-179 holds the potential to identify patients who are more responsive to curative treatments. The researchers are enthusiastic about the prospects of this combined treatment approach and are looking forward to the results from the ENRICH study, which will be pivotal in establishing efficacy rates moving forward.

Conclusion

Brii Bio is setting an impressive course in the biotechnology landscape, underpinned by strategic acquisitions and a focused clinical approach to tackle one of the world's most pressing health issues—Hepatitis B. By acquiring full control over BRII-179 and completing patient enrollments for the ENRICH study, Brii is positioning itself as a leader in innovative therapies aimed at improving patients' lives and addressing significant unmet medical needs.

For continuous updates on Brii Bio and its initiatives, visit Brii Bio's official website.