Key Highlights
- $290M+ Licensing Deal: Hummingbird Bioscience grants Percheron Therapeutics global rights to HMBD-002, a Phase II-ready anti-VISTA monoclonal antibody.
- AI-Enabled Drug Discovery: HMBD-002 emerged from Hummingbird’s advanced computational biology and AI-driven monoclonal antibody platform.
- Phase II Planned for 2026: Percheron aims to initiate Phase II trials in calendar year 2026, targeting cancers with high VISTA-mediated immune suppression.
Strategic Global Licensing Deal
Hummingbird Bioscience has signed a worldwide licensing agreement with Percheron Therapeutics for the development and commercialization of its anti-VISTA monoclonal antibody, HMBD-002. The deal, valued at up to $290 million in upfront and milestone payments, includes royalties on global net sales. This marks a major step forward for immuno-oncology innovation, enabling HMBD-002 to advance into Phase II clinical trials under Percheron’s leadership.
Next-Gen AI Platform Delivers Novel Immune Checkpoint Drug
HMBD-002 is the only IgG4 isotype anti-VISTA antibody in development, engineered to neutralize VISTA’s immunosuppressive activity while sparing beneficial immune cells. Discovered using Hummingbird’s AI-powered platform that integrates systems biology and structure-guided design, the therapy has shown a favorable safety and activity profile in Phase I trials. Its development reinforces the potential of AI to uncover novel targets and deliver first-in-class checkpoint inhibitors.
Percheron to Advance Development in High-Unmet-Need Oncology Indications
Percheron Therapeutics, an ASX-listed biotech specializing in oncology and rare diseases, was selected to take HMBD-002 forward after evaluating over 100 drug candidates. The company intends to begin Phase II studies by 2026, targeting cancers where VISTA is implicated in immune resistance. The collaboration strengthens Percheron’s pipeline and affirms its leadership in next-generation immune-modulating therapies.
AI and Immunotherapy at the Forefront of Global Cancer Innovation
This deal highlights how AI-driven biotechs like Hummingbird Bioscience are driving the next wave of cancer immunotherapies. By targeting less-explored pathways like VISTA, the companies aim to address resistance mechanisms and improve outcomes for patients underserved by current checkpoint inhibitors. For the global medical community, HMBD-002 offers hope as a versatile asset with potential as a monotherapy or in combination with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.
About Hummingbird Bioscience
Hummingbird Bioscience is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company at the forefront of AI-driven drug discovery. Leveraging computational systems biology, the company designs precision-targeted monoclonal antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates to treat hard-to-tackle cancers and autoimmune disorders. With a growing pipeline of novel therapies, Hummingbird combines rigorous science and data-driven insights to accelerate the journey from concept to clinic.
About Percheron Therapeutics
Percheron Therapeutics (ASX: PER | US OTC: PERCF) is a publicly traded biotech company focused on developing innovative therapies for oncology and rare diseases. With a strategic emphasis on immune checkpoint inhibitors, Percheron is advancing clinical-stage assets like HMBD-002 to address significant unmet needs in cancer care. The company applies a highly selective licensing and development approach to bring transformative therapies to global markets.
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