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

Numab Therapeutics AG, a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in multi-specific antibodies for immunology and oncology, has announced a collaboration with Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., an R&D-focused pharmaceutical company in Japan. This collaboration aims to develop ND081, a multi-specific antibody targeting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

As part of the agreement, Kaken Pharmaceutical has secured an option to acquire commercial rights to ND081 in select Asian territories. In exchange, Kaken will fund the preclinical and clinical development of ND081 up to Phase 2a proof of concept. Numab will receive an upfront payment of approximately CHF 13 million and will be responsible for the development process.

David Urech, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Numab Therapeutics, expressed enthusiasm for partnering with Kaken to advance ND081. This collaboration builds on their established relationship from a prior project on NM26, a bi-specific antibody for atopic dermatitis. The NM26 project was notably successful, leading to a spin-out company, Yellow Jersey Therapeutics, which was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson for $1.25 billion in May 2024.

Kaken Pharmaceutical’s President and Representative Director, Hiroyuki Horiuchi, also shared his excitement about the new agreement. He highlighted the strong, trusting relationship between the two companies, forged through their previous joint R&D efforts. Horiuchi emphasized that by combining Kaken’s research and development capabilities with Numab’s expertise in multi-specifics, the partnership aims to develop innovative treatments for IBD.

Numab Therapeutics AG focuses on developing multi-specific antibody-based immunotherapies targeting inflammation and cancer. Utilizing their proprietary λ-CapTM and MATCHTM platforms, Numab aims to overcome traditional drug discovery challenges and create a pipeline of novel medicines. Their lead product, NM32, a first-in-class T-cell engager targeting ROR1, is currently in Phase 1 trials for solid tumors. Numab’s strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies further validate their robust platform and development capabilities.

Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., established in 1948, is driven by its corporate philosophy of improving patient quality of life through superior pharmaceuticals. The company has recently made significant strides in dermatology and orthopedics, with notable products like Clenafin, the first topical treatment for onychomycosis in Japan, which has gained global recognition.

The collaboration between Numab and Kaken represents a promising step forward in the development of ND081 for the treatment of IBD, leveraging both companies’ strengths and expertise to bring new therapeutic options to patients in need.