Human Immunology Biosciences

Overview

Human Immunology Biosciences (HI-Bio) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing targeted therapies for immune-mediated diseases (IMDs). It was founded in 2021 and has raised a total of $215 million in funding. The company is based in South San Francisco, California, and was incubated by ARCH Venture Partners and Monograph Capital. Travis Murdoch serves as its CEO.

Recent Developments

October 2024: Biogen received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for felzartamab for treating antibody-mediated rejection in kidney transplant recipients, based on promising clinical data.
July 2024: Biogen completed the acquisition of HI-Bio for $1.15 billion, with potential milestone payments up to $650 million, totaling $1.8 billion. This acquisition enhances Biogen's pipeline with felzartamab and other assets.
July 2024: Felzartamab showed positive interim results in a Phase 2 study for IgA nephropathy and antibody-mediated rejection, presented at the European Renal Association Congress.
May 2024: HI-Bio announced its acquisition by Biogen, aiming to leverage Biogen's capabilities to advance felzartamab to Phase 3 trials and expand its immunology portfolio.
November 2022: HI-Bio launched with $120 million in financing from major investors like ARCH Venture Partners, focusing on precision therapies for unmet medical needs in immunology.

Attribute	Information
Founding Date	2021
Headquarters	South San Francisco, California, USA
Founders	Travis Murdoch, Tim Behrens
Revenue	NA
Profits	NA
Key Investors	ARCH Venture Partners, Monograph Capital, Viking Global Investors
Industry	Biotechnology
Number of Employees	47

Early History

Founded in 2021, Human Immunology Biosciences was incubated by ARCH Venture Partners and Monograph Capital, with a vision to transform the treatment of immune-mediated diseases using precision medicines. The company's early funding rounds were significant, raising a combined $215 million. The company's early focus involved licensing key clinical-stage assets like felzartamab and HIB210 from MorphoSys AG, aimed at addressing diseases driven by cellular immune dysfunction.

Company Profile and Achievements

HI-Bio has pioneered a precision medicine approach, applying genetic research and immunophenotyping to develop targeted therapies for IMDs. Its major assets include felzartamab, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, and HIB210, aimed at modulating immune dysfunction. Significant milestones include the licensing of therapeutic rights from MorphoSys and successful Phase 2 trials for felzartamab, showing efficacy in managing conditions like IgA nephropathy.

HI-Bio's innovative approach involves a translational toolkit for rapid advancement from discovery to clinical stages, highlighting its potential to address substantial unmet needs in the $150 billion global market for IMDs anticipated by 2025.

Current Operations and Market Position

Human Immunology Biosciences operates primarily in the development of precision medicines for IMDs. Its strategic initiatives lie in harnessing emerging insights from genetic and immunological studies to offer more effective treatment options. Following Biogen's acquisition, HI-Bio is integrating its assets into Biogen’s broader immunology strategy, leveraging Biogen's expansive infrastructure to expedite late-stage clinical trials and enhance its competitive edge in the IMDs space.

Human Immunology Biosciences Biogen

This acquisition by Biogen is a strategic move to enhance its footprint in immunology, reflecting a broader industry trend towards investing in biopharma companies with high-value pipeline assets. Felzartamab, as a key late-stage asset, exemplifies HI-Bio’s pipeline strength, aligning with Biogen's aim to diversify its therapeutic offerings beyond neurology.

Human Immunology Biosciences Careers

HI-Bio offers significant opportunities for professionals in biotechnology, especially in roles related to clinical research, immunology, and therapeutic development. The integration with Biogen is expected to create a multidisciplinary team in the San Francisco Bay Area focused on advancing immunology research.

Conclusion

Human Immunology Biosciences has made impactful strides in the biotechnology landscape, particularly in advancing treatments for severe immune-mediated conditions. Its acquisition by Biogen marks a significant milestone, promising enhanced resource mobilization for its innovative drug candidates like felzartamab. The merger is poised to accelerate the development of breakthrough immunological therapies, potentially transforming patient outcomes in various disease areas. HI-Bio's journey reflects its core mission of leveraging precision medicine to address complex immunological challenges, setting a promising trajectory in the biotech sector.