Catalyst, Isu Abxis in Hemophilia B Development Pact

Catalyst Biosciences and Isu Abxis, a biologics manufacturing and development company based in Seoul Korea, have entered a collaboration to develop Catalyst’s next-generation Factor IX development candidate FIX-NG (CB 2679d) for the prevention and treatment of bleeding in hemophilia B. The collaboration will advance FIX-NG through preclinical studies, manufacture, and the completion of Phase I studies designed to establish proof-of-mechanism.
 
Isu Abxis will be responsible for preclinical and Phase I studies and Catalyst and Isu will collaborate and share in profits on the development and commercialization of FIX-NG worldwide. Isu will pay Catalyst an upfront licensing fee and milestone payments through the end of the Phase I trial and has an option to exclusively commercialize FIX-NG in Korea. Catalyst retains development and commercialization rights outside of Korea.
 
“This strategic collaboration is an excellent fit between our companies. Catalyst has significant experience in the development of next-generation coagulation factors including FVIIa, FIX, and FXa, while Isu has the biologics manufacturing expertise to make complex proteins from research through commercialization,” said Nassim Usman, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Catalyst Biosciences. “We believe that the collaboration with Isu Abxis will accelerate FIX-NG’s development and ultimately provide improved therapy for hemophilia B patients.”