Companies join forces to target different T cell subsets and combat cancer
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., PARIS and SHANGHAI – Oct. 15, 2018 – HiFiBiO Therapeutics, a world leader in the discovery of therapeutic antibodies through single-cell screening and analysis, announced today the acquisition of H-Immune Therapeutics, an early-stage biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of novel immuno-oncology therapeutics. The acquisition strengthens HiFiBiO Therapeutics’ strategic focus on identifying first-in-class targets for multiple immune cell types, as well as applying industry-leading technologies to develop diverse antibody therapeutics. Specific financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Established in late 2016 as a spin-out of the French Atomic Energy Commission, H-Immune was founded by Luc Boblet, PhD, Former Co-founder and CEO of Institute Pasteur spin-out PathoQuest, and Michel Léonetti, PhD, Senior Immunologist. H-Immune has pioneered a unique in vitro immunization-based fully human antibody generation platform (IVI), which complements HiFiBiO’s world-leading single-cell platform, and has developed an early-stage novel pipeline through translational collaborations with leading cancer centers in Europe. Following the acquisition, Dr. Boblet has joined the HiFiBiO Therapeutics’ leadership team as Executive Vice President, Business Development.
“Over the past several months, we have made significant strides in our evolution as a biotherapeutics pioneer with this acquisition of H-Immune Therapeutics, collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies including Takeda and Kite, and fast progression of our own internal projects through our open innovation model,” said Liang Schweizer, PhD, President and CEO of HiFiBiO Therapeutics. “This acquisition not only adds a pipeline of promising novel therapeutics, but also strengthens our team of world-class immunologists and immune assay scientists. Together, we will accelerate the development of a full repertoire of innovative antibody drugs that will soon transform patient care.”
“HiFiBiO Therapeutics is well known for its expertise with immune modulation antibody therapies and unprecedented drug discovery engine,” said Dr. Boblet. “My team and I are excited to join this group of experienced, enthusiastic drug hunters. Together, with our synergies, we will be able to bring innovative immuno-oncology drugs to patients in need, faster and more effectively than before.”
About H-Immune Therapeutics
Established in 2016, as a spin‐out of the French Atomic Energy Commission by Co‐founders Luc Boblet, PhD, (former Co‐founder and CEO of PathoQuest, an Institut Pasteur spin‐off) and Michel Léonetti, PhD, (Senior Immunologist), H‐Immune develops novel fully human antibody‐based therapeutics with a strong focus on immuno‐oncology. H‐Immune is currently deploying its proprietary platform against a novel immune checkpoint as part of its internal pipeline development program but intends to pursue additional strategic partnerships to further leverage its powerful IVI‐based discovery engine.
About HiFiBiO Therapeutics
HiFiBiO Therapeutics is an emerging multinational biotherapeutics company mobilizing the human immune system to combat disease. The company integrates deep-rooted biological expertise with its comprehensive single-cell profiling technologies to discover and accelerate a pipeline of antibody drugs to treat cancer and autoimmune disorders. In addition, HiFiBiO Therapeutics aspires to address unmet medical needs around the world through open-innovation partnerships with industry and academia. The company features a strong global footprint with cutting-edge laboratories on three continents in Cambridge, Mass., Paris, France, and Shanghai, China. For more information, please visit www.hifibio.com.