Numab Therapeutics and Kaken Pharmaceutical Collaborate on ND081 for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Numab Therapeutics AG, a clinical-stage biotechnology firm specializing in the development of multi-specific antibodies for immunology and oncology, has entered into a collaborative and option agreement with Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a Japanese pharmaceutical company focused on research and development. This new partnership is aimed at advancing ND081, a potentially first-in-class multi-specific antibody designed to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

According to the agreement, Kaken Pharmaceutical has secured an option to obtain commercial rights to ND081 in select Asian territories. In return, Kaken will fund both preclinical and clinical development stages up to Phase 2a proof of concept. Numab will receive an upfront payment of approximately CHF 13 million and will lead the preclinical and clinical development efforts.

David Urech, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Numab Therapeutics, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating that this collaboration is part of Numab's regional strategy to leverage their unique λ-CapTM and MATCHTM technology platforms. He emphasized that the partnership builds on a strong relationship previously established during their joint work on NM26, a bi-specific antibody for atopic dermatitis. This prior collaboration had led to the creation of Yellow Jersey Therapeutics, which was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson for $1.25 billion in May 2024.

Hiroyuki Horiuchi, President and Representative Director of Kaken Pharmaceutical, also highlighted the positive history between the two companies. He noted that their previous joint research project on NM26 resulted in an IP Transfer and Commercial Option Agreement with Johnson & Johnson. Horiuchi expressed confidence in combining Kaken's research and development capabilities with Numab's expertise in multi-specific antibodies to create innovative treatments for IBD.

Numab Therapeutics AG is recognized for its clinical-stage development of multi-specific antibody immunotherapies aimed at treating inflammation and cancer. The company's innovative therapeutic design process, utilizing their proprietary λ-CapTM and MATCHTM platforms, enables them to overcome traditional drug discovery challenges. This approach has allowed Numab to build a diverse research pipeline targeting multiple therapeutic areas, paving the way for next-generation first-in-class and best-in-class medicines. Numab's lead asset, NM32, is an enhanced T-cell engager targeting ROR1, a tumor-associated antigen prevalent in both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Currently, NM32 is undergoing a Phase 1 trial in patients with solid tumors. Numab's collaborations with various leading pharmaceutical companies continue to validate their proprietary platform and development capabilities.

Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., established in 1948, is driven by a corporate philosophy aimed at improving the quality of life for patients. Kaken has made significant strides in the fields of dermatology and orthopedics and is known for Clenafin, an in-house discovered treatment for onychomycosis, which has grown into a global product. Through collaborations like the one with Numab, Kaken aims to develop superior pharmaceuticals that bring happiness and improved health outcomes to patients.

The new collaboration between Numab Therapeutics and Kaken Pharmaceutical represents a strategic effort to develop and commercialize innovative treatments for IBD, leveraging the strengths and expertise of both companies. The agreement underscores the importance of partnerships in advancing medical research and bringing new therapies to market.