AprilBio unveiled three new core pipelines and set a goal to license them out by next year. Based on cash assets exceeding 400 billion won, the company plans to develop multiple new drugs in parallel and actively adopt external technologies to achieve early results.
At the 'R&D DAY' event held on the 9th at Conrad Hotel Seoul Yeouido, Cha Sang-hoon, CEO of AprilBio, introduced three new pipelines: the bispecific antibody 'APB-I-005' applying the multi-antibody platform 'REMAP,' the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) 'APB-A-001,' and the siRNA 'APB-O-001' licensed from Curigen.
CEO Cha said, "Our goal is to place all of them on the table for technology transfer discussions before their Investigational New Drug (IND) applications in 2027," adding, "We will focus on securing data that enables us to license out to big pharma as quickly as possible."
APB-I-005, which is targeting early technology transfer, is an autoimmune disease treatment that simultaneously targets TL1A and IL-23P19. TL1A was the target of tulisokibart, which achieved its Phase 3 primary endpoint in June this year, while IL-23p19 is a target already approved for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Currently, APB-I-005 is being manufactured as clinical samples through Wuxi, China, and the company plans to pursue technology transfer at the preclinical stage.
The 'APB-A-001' being developed for solid tumors is a bispecific ADC that simultaneously targets c-Met and VEGF, with the company considering various options such as early partnership and in-house development. The PCSK9 and APOC3-targeting siRNA treatment 'APB-O-001,' secured through a partnership with Curigen, is being rapidly developed for the indication of mixed dyslipidemia.
AprilBio cited data from global market research firm DealForma, noting that among licensed-in assets, the proportion in preclinical and Phase 1 stages increased from 59% in 2024 to 69% in the first half of this year. AprilBio explained that this result supports the point that early technology export is fully possible if the modality (therapeutic approach) and concept are clear.
AprilBio plans to concentrate resources secured through the rights offering (paid-in capital increase) by TKG Group and IMM Investment, among others, on R&D. The company aims to accelerate development in the autoimmune, metabolic, and oncology fields in parallel rather than sequentially. Based on its cash assets, AprilBio intends to actively introduce promising external assets beyond internal development, expanding business opportunities through in-house development and NewCo models.
CEO Cha stated, "The new pipelines consist of modalities that attract high interest from global big pharma," adding, "Based on the drug development capabilities we have accumulated over time, we will carefully review technical and commercial feasibility to create concrete results."
in THEBIO
