Biogen Expands Immuno Portfolio with $1.8B HI-Bio Deal

Biogen, on Wednesday, revealed its strategic move into the immunology space by announcing a possible acquisition of the privately held biotech company Human Immunology Biosciences (HI-Bio) for up to $1.8 billion. According to the terms of the agreement, Biogen will make an initial payment of $1.15 billion and could provide up to $650 million more upon achieving specific milestones. The transaction is anticipated to conclude in the third quarter of 2024, subject to antitrust approvals and other standard closing conditions.

Central to this acquisition is HI-Bio's leading candidate, felzartamab, which is being developed to treat IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and primary membranous nephropathy (PMN), along with antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in kidney transplant patients. Felzartamab, originally intended for multiple myeloma by MorphoSys, is a monoclonal antibody that targets the CD38 protein on mature plasma cells. This action helps in selectively eliminating CD38-positive cells, which are critical in diseases driven by pathological antibodies.

HI-Bio secured an exclusive license for felzartamab in November 2022, giving it rights to develop and commercialize the drug globally, except in the greater China region. Priya Singhal, who heads development at Biogen, described felzartamab as a "strategic addition" to the company's portfolio aimed at enhancing their immunology pipeline. Singhal emphasized that felzartamab had demonstrated significant effects on "key biomarkers and clinical endpoints" in three severe renal diseases that currently lack adequate treatments.

HI-Bio has completed Phase II clinical trials for felzartamab in AMR and PMN and is conducting a Phase II trial for IgAN. The company plans to advance all three programs to Phase III trials. Moreover, felzartamab is also being studied for lupus nephritis in an ongoing Phase I trial.

The acquisition also grants Biogen access to HI-Bio's early-stage candidates. These include the anti-C5aR1 antibody izastobart, which is in Phase I trials for an undisclosed condition, and a mast cell program that is still in the discovery phase.

This acquisition follows Biogen's decision last week to terminate two neuro-programs partnered with Ionis. The company dropped the development of BIIB105 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis due to unsatisfactory Phase I/II results and chose not to pursue licensing for BIIB121 aimed at Angelman syndrome.