Confo Therapeutics NV has nominated CFTX-2034 as a development candidate to treat conditions linked to hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, specifically post-bariatric hypoglycemia (PBH). The company is now advancing CFTX-2034 through IND-enabling studies.
Harbour Biomed has added another collaboration to its end-of-year dealmaking, this time with Bristol Myers Squibb Co. (BMS) to develop multispecific antibodies. Harbour is getting about $90 million up front, but milestones could eventually top $1 billion.
Antibodies targeting CD269 and GPRC5D have shown unprecedented clinical efficacy in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), but many patients still develop progressive disease. It was hypothesized that dual-targeting T-cell immunotherapies might improve the efficacy by addressing the difficulty of heterogenous target expression and preventing resistance development due to antigen escape.
Absci Corp. has released new preclinical data for ABS-201, an AI-designed antibody targeting the prolactin receptor (PRLR) designed to stimulate hair follicle regeneration and promote durable hair regrowth for the potential management of androgenetic alopecia.
Oxford Biotherapeutics Ltd. has entered into a multiyear, multitarget strategic collaboration with GSK plc to discover novel antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer.
On Dec. 2, 2025, the FDA released draft guidance that could reduce the use of nonhuman primates (NHPs) in preclinical testing of monoclonal antibodies. According to the guidance, which the FDA released for the purpose of soliciting comments, “In general, studies longer than 3 months in nonrodent species (e.g., NHPs, dogs, and mini-pigs) are not warranted to evaluate toxicities … when data from 3-month studies are supplemented with a weight-of-evidence (WoE) risk assessment.”
Abilita Therapeutics Inc. has developed a novel approach targeting CCR8 – ABT-863 – that works as a potent inverse agonist to block CCL1-dependent and basal receptor signaling.
Vectory Therapeutics BV has obtained IND clearance from the FDA for a phase I/II trial (PIONEER-ALS) of VTX-002, a first-in-class vectorized antibody targeting TDP-43 pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). VTX-002 delivers an engineered antibody designed to selectively target toxic species of TDP-43.
Bao Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., a developer of subcutaneous biologic drugs, priced its IPO at HK$26.38 on Dec. 2, aiming to raise about HK$1 billion (US$128 million). Bao expects net proceeds of HK$921.5 million after expenses, which will fund its “two-anti” strategy – developing both antibody and antibiotic drugs worldwide, mainly in China, the U.S. and Europe.
Q32 Bio Inc. handed off rights to phase II-stage complement inhibitor ADX-097 in a deal with Akebia Therapeutics Inc. that helps the former extend its cash runway to focus on lead candidate bempikibart in alopecia areata and bolsters the latter’s efforts to build a rare kidney disease pipeline.