AbbVie and FutureGen partner on inflammatory bowel disease

AbbVie has entered into a licensing agreement with FutureGen Biopharmaceutical to develop FG-M701, a next-generation therapeutic solution for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This partnership grants AbbVie exclusive global rights to FG-M701’s development, manufacturing, and commercialization.

FG-M701 is currently in the preclinical development stage. It is a fully human monoclonal antibody designed to target TL1A, a clinically validated marker in IBD. The engineered antibody aims to provide enhanced efficacy and reduce dosing frequency, potentially offering a significant improvement in treatment options for patients with IBD.

Jonathon Sedgwick, AbbVie’s global head of discovery and research and senior vice president, emphasized the growing prevalence of IBD. He noted that many individuals with conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease do not respond adequately to existing treatments. Sedgwick expressed AbbVie’s commitment to advancing the standard of care through the development of transformative therapies, aiming to help more patients achieve remission.

FutureGen Biopharmaceutical will receive an initial and near-term milestone payment totaling $150 million. Additionally, the company stands to earn up to $1.56 billion upon reaching specific clinical development, regulatory, and commercial milestones. These payments are in addition to tiered royalties based on the net sales of FG-M701.

Zhaoyu Jin, the founder and CEO of FutureGen Biopharmaceutical, expressed satisfaction with the partnership, highlighting AbbVie’s leadership in developing and commercializing innovative treatments for inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Jin believes that AbbVie’s expertise and global reach will accelerate FG-M701’s development, making the therapy available to IBD patients more quickly. He also emphasized FutureGen’s capability in generating potential best-in-class product candidates through their proprietary Structure-based Targeted Evolution Platform (STEP) technology.

The collaboration with AbbVie marks a significant milestone for FutureGen, underscoring its innovative approach and the potential of its technology platform. This partnership also aligns with AbbVie’s ongoing efforts to expand its portfolio of therapies addressing various autoimmune conditions.

Separately, in June 2024, AbbVie announced that its drug RINVOQ (upadacitinib) is now approved for treating polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in pediatric patients aged two years and older in the United States. This approval represents another step in AbbVie’s mission to provide effective treatments for a wider range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.