Boehringer signs €1bn+ deal for Simcere IBD candidate

Boehringer Ingelheim has added another drug to its immunology pipeline, licensing an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) candidate from China's Simcere in a deal that would be worth up to €1.05 billion ($1.25 billion).

The partnership is focused on a preclinical-stage bispecific antibody, SIM0709, which targets both IL-23p19 – an established mechanism for IBD therapies – and TL1A, which is also generating a buzz in immunology and inflammation R&D.

In a statement, Boehringer said SIM0709 simultaneously blocks "two core pathways that drive the onset and progression of IBD," adding that the antibody has been shown to be superior to inhibitors of each target alone in cell and animal testing.

IL-23p19 inhibitors already on the market for IBD – which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease – include Johnson & Johnson's Tremfya (guselkumab), AbbVie's Skyrizi (risankizumab), and Eli Lilly's Omvoh (mirikizumab).

Meanwhile, TL1A is being targeted by several experimental therapies, notably MSD/Merck & Co's tulisokibart, Sanofi/Teva's duvakitug, and Roche's afimkibart, which are all in phase 3 testing for IBD.

Under the terms of the deal, Boehringer is paying €42 million upfront for rights to SIM0709 outside Greater China, with up to €1.016 billion pledged if the antibody hits development, regulatory, and sales milestones, according to a Simcere stock exchange filing (PDF).

The bispecific joins several candidates in Boehringer's clinical-stage immunology pipeline, which also includes TREM-1 antagonist BI 3032950 in phase 2 clinical trials for UC.

"In IBD, too many patients continue to progress and experience severe complications despite currently available anti-inflammatory therapies," commented Carine Boustany, global head of immunology and respiratory diseases at Boehringer Ingelheim.

"We are excited to join forces with Simcere to accelerate the development of this therapeutic as a potential life-changing option for patients living with IBD," she added.

Last week, a new US start-up, Caldera Therapeutics, emerged onto the scene with a $112.5 million extended Series A that will be used to fund an IL-23p19xTL1A bispecific antibody from China's Qyuns Therapeutics, currently in phase 1 testing. Meanwhile, there are two other bispecifics, both from Chinese developers, in early-stage preclinical development, namely Novamab's LQ080 and Episcience's ES302.