Kyorin Pharmaceutical Secures $105M Deal for Hinge Bio's Lupus Drug in Japan

Kyorin Pharmaceutical has made a significant move to bolster its autoimmune portfolio by acquiring the Japanese rights to Hinge Bio's preclinical lupus drug, HB2198. The deal, valued at up to $105 million, marks a substantial investment in the emerging field of B-cell depletion therapies for autoimmune disorders.

Deal Structure and Financial Details

Kyorin has committed to an upfront payment of $10 million, with the potential for an additional $95 million in milestone payments tied to the development of HB2198 as a treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus. The agreement also opens the door for further payments should Kyorin pursue investigations of HB2198 in other autoimmune conditions.

As part of the deal, Kyorin will take on the responsibility for funding development, regulatory, marketing, and commercialization activities in Japan. Additionally, the company has agreed to contribute to the global development efforts for HB2198, signaling a commitment to the drug's potential beyond the Japanese market.

HB2198: A Novel Approach to B-Cell Depletion

HB2198 represents a innovative approach to treating lupus and potentially other autoimmune disorders. Developed using Hinge Bio's GEM-DIMER multivalent antibody platform, the drug targets both CD19 and CD20 for B-cell depletion. This dual-targeting mechanism is designed to provide a more comprehensive approach to modulating the immune system in patients with autoimmune conditions.

Preclinical data unveiled by Hinge Bio last year suggested that HB2198 could achieve "deeper and more rapid B cell depletion than has been reported for other antibody-based therapies." The company aims to "reset" the immune system while offering "the convenience, accessibility, cost and safety benefits of an off-the-shelf antibody-based therapeutic."

Strategic Implications for Kyorin Pharmaceutical

This latest acquisition aligns with Kyorin's strategic focus on autoimmune disorders as a key therapeutic area. CEO Yutaka Ogihara emphasized the company's commitment to this field, stating, "We anticipate that this innovative treatment candidate, developed through our collaboration with Hinge Bio, will offer a new therapeutic option for patients suffering from autoimmune disorders."

The HB2198 deal adds to Kyorin's growing pipeline of licensed compounds, which includes a phase 3-stage pulmonary sarcoidosis drug from aTyr Pharma and a phase 1-stage beta 3 adrenergic receptor agonist for overactive bladder from Merck & Co. In late 2024, Kyorin also secured worldwide rights to Bayer's ADRA2C antagonist for sleep apnea in a €15 million deal.

Kyorin's strategic moves have not gone unnoticed by larger pharmaceutical players. In March, Novartis licensed Kyorin's MRGPRX2 antagonist for allergic and inflammatory diseases in a deal worth $55 million upfront, further validating the company's research and development capabilities in the autoimmune space.