Biosion, Inc. (Biosion), a global biotechnology company in the R&D phase, unveiled a new exclusive licensing deal with Aclaris Therapeutics. This agreement grants Biosion universal rights (excluding Greater China) for BSI-045B, a potential pioneering, clinical-stage, innovative anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody, in addition to BSI-502, a potential leading-edge, pre-clinical novel bispecific antibody targeting both TSLP and IL4R.
According to the agreement, Biosion will receive over $40 million in cash as an upfront license fee along with reimbursements for specific development expenses and drug product supplies. Additionally, they will obtain a 19.9% stake in Aclaris Therapeutics’ common stock. If certain regulatory and sales milestones are met, payments could surpass $900 million, supplemented by a tiered low-to-mid single-digit royalty based on annual net sales percentages.
“The deal highlights the efficacy of our proprietary antibody discovery platforms. BSI-045B and BSI-502 exemplify our ability to produce potential trailblazing therapeutics,” expressed Mingjiu Chen, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Biosion. “In collaboration with our global partners, leveraging complementary resources and expertise, we aim to deliver more groundbreaking treatments to patients worldwide.”
Anthony Yeh, Ph.D., chief strategy officer of Biosion, commented, “This partnership signifies our ninth and tenth global collaborations under our ‘discover-development-partnership’ model. It enhances the international clinical advancement of two major assets while ensuring the funding necessary to progress our other innovative programs to the IND filing stage.”
In a U.S.-based, unconventional phase 2a trial involving 22 patients experiencing moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, BSI-045B demonstrated a pharmacodynamic, safety, and efficacy profile with the potential to position it as a leading therapy. Ongoing phase 2 research in China by regional partner Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group, Co., Ltd. (CTTQ), focuses on severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, further testing the potential across various conditions.
Dr. Neal Walker, Interim CEO and board chair of Aclaris, stated, “This strategic move merges Biosion’s innovative initiatives with our immunology development skills. We’re eager to strengthen our portfolio with these powerful assets and are committed to developing them in our mission to provide remarkable therapies globally.”
BSI-045B functions by binding selectively to human thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), intercepting its interaction with receptor complexes and hindering signal transduction. This mechanism stops immune cells targeted by TSLP from releasing proinflammatory cytokines. BSI-045B is currently undergoing clinical development.
BSI-502, on the other hand, is a humanized bispecific antibody against TSLP and interleukin 4 receptor (IL4R), which blocks signaling associated with both the TSLP receptor and IL4R activation. This inhibition counteracts a central proinflammatory pathway. BSI-502 remains in pre-clinical development.