Fresh off the successful $1.25 billion acquisition of Yellow Jersey Therapeutics by Johnson & Johnson, Kaken Pharmaceutical and Numab Therapeutics are deepening their partnership, striking a new deal focused on a preclinical multispecific antibody for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
This strategic collaboration sees Kaken Pharmaceutical committing $14.6 million upfront to Numab Therapeutics, securing an option to in-license ND081, a novel IBD candidate, for key Asian territories. Kaken will also shoulder the financial burden of preclinical and clinical development through Phase 2a proof-of-concept.
ND081, a previously undisclosed multispecific antibody, is being touted by Numab as a potential best-in-class therapy for IBD. Its absence from Numab’s public pipeline suggests a deliberate stealth development strategy prior to this partnership. The collaboration leverages Numab’s proprietary ฮป-Cap and MATCH technology platforms, powerful engines for engineering highly specific and potent multispecific antibodies.
This isn’t the first time Kaken and Numab have joined forces. Their previous collaboration on NM26, a bispecific antibody for atopic dermatitis, culminated in the formation of Yellow Jersey Therapeutics and its subsequent high-profile acquisition by J&J. This track record of success validates the synergy between the two companies and underscores their expertise in developing innovative immunotherapies.
The IBD market represents a significant commercial opportunity with substantial unmet medical need. Existing therapies often struggle to achieve long-term remission, leaving patients grappling with debilitating flares and the risk of serious complications. ND081, with its best-in-class aspirations, offers a potential game-changer for IBD patients, promising improved outcomes and a better quality of life.
Numab CEO David Urech, Ph.D., expressed excitement about the expanded partnership, highlighting the potential of their proprietary technologies to deliver groundbreaking multispecific antibody therapies. Hiroyuki Horiuchi, President and Representative Director of Kaken, reinforced their shared commitment to developing innovative IBD treatments and addressing the significant unmet need in this therapeutic area. This new collaboration positions Kaken and Numab as key players in the rapidly evolving IBD landscape, with ND081 poised to potentially disrupt the market and redefine the standard of care.
