iBio, Inc. (NYSEA: IBIO), an AI-driven innovator of precision antibody immunotherapies, today announced the expansion of its cardiometabolic and obesity treatment development program by in-licensing a potentially best-in-class long-acting anti-myostatin antibody from AstralBio, Inc. The antibody, now named IBIO-600, was identified by AstralBio using iBio's proprietary technology stack and was designed for subcutaneous administration with the potential for an extended half-life.
Pursuant to the agreement, AstralBio will receive an upfront payment of $750,000, which iBio has paid by issuing its common stock to AstralBio. In addition, AstralBio will be eligible for development and commercialization milestone payments totaling up to $28 million. If iBio sublicenses the licensed product, AstralBio will receive low to mid-single-digit sublicense fees on the proceeds of the sublicense fees. iBio is solely responsible for the research and development, manufacturing and commercialization activities of the licensed product.
In parallel, iBio initiated a bispecific antibody program targeting myostatin/activin A to treat obesity and cardiometabolic disorders, leveraging its proprietary Drug Discovery Platform as well as the technology of IBIO-600. The myostatin licensing agreement and planned myostatin/activin A bispecific antibody program follows a drug discovery and development collaboration between iBio and AstralBio initiated less than a year ago. iBio plans to enter into clinical investigation in obesity and cardiometabolic disorders in 2026.