iBio Advances Anti-CCR8 Antibody Program to Preclinical In Vivo Testing

– Immuno-oncology candidate discovered using iBio’s AI epitope steering platform –

– Expands Treg depletion franchise beyond IBIO-101 –

BRYAN, Texas, March 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iBio, Inc. (NYSEA:IBIO) (“iBio” or the “Company”), an AI-driven innovator of precision antibody immunotherapies, today announced the progression of its anti-CCR8 antibody immuno-oncology program into preclinical in vivo testing. CCR8, a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (“GPCR”) family, is expressed by T-regulatory cells (“Tregs”) that play a crucial role in inducing immunosuppression across various cancer types.

GPCRs are one of the most successful therapeutic target classes, with approximately one-third of all approved drugs targeting these proteins.¹ Compared to small molecule-based GPCR drugs, antibody-based GPCR therapeutics potentially offer several potential advantages, including superior selectivity, extended mechanisms of action, and longer half-life. However, GPCRs are intricate, multi-membrane spanning receptors, making clinically relevant regions difficult to identify and target.

iBio employed its patented AI epitope steering platform in the discovery of anti-CCR8 molecules to overcome certain challenges associated with developing antibody-based GPCR-targeting therapeutics. iBio’s anti-CCR8 antibody is designed to selectively deplete Tregs, thereby allowing the immune system to effectively destroy cancer cells, without binding to CCR8’s closest neighbor, CCR4, significantly reducing the potential for adverse effects and safety issues associated with non-selective CCR8 antibodies.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the Company’s latest pipeline advancement, Martin Brenner, DVM, Ph.D., iBio’s Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, commented, “Selective targeting of CCR8 shows our patented AI technology can successfully be applied to one of the most important drug target classes, and potentially allows us to pursue a range of other high-value GPCR targets in the future. We are pleased to be able to now move our anti-CCR8 molecules into in vivo testing.”

Dillon Phan, PhD, iBio’s VP and Head of Early Research & Development, added, “We are thrilled to expand our Treg depletion franchise through our new anti-CCR8 program, which complements our existing IBIO-101 program. IBIO-101 is an anti-CD25 antibody designed to selectively bind and deplete Tregs in the tumor microenvironment without compromising immunostimulatory interleukin 2, or IL2, signaling to other T cells, thereby generating strong anti-tumor responses. We look forward to F. Hoffmann-La Roche’s anticipated presentation of clinical data for its IL2-sparing anti-CD25 antibody, RG6292, at the 2023 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in April, which we believe may validate IBIO-101 as a potential ‘fast-follower.’”

Reference

¹ Sriram K, Insel PA. G Protein-Coupled Receptors as Targets for Approved Drugs: How Many Targets and How Many Drugs? Mol Pharmacol. 2018 Apr;93(4):251-258.

About iBio, Inc.

iBio develops next-generation biopharmaceuticals using computational biology and 3D-modeling of subdominant and conformational epitopes, prospectively enabling the discovery of new antibody treatments for hard-to-target cancers and other diseases. iBio’s mission is to decrease drug failures, shorten drug development timelines, and open up new frontiers against the most promising targets. For more information, visit www.ibioinc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and include statements regarding the guarantee of broad coverage of the Company’s proprietary, epitope-steering antibody discovery engine, the engine providing iBio a competitive advantage, the ability of IBIO-101, our IL-2 sparing anti-CD25 antibody, to generate a strong anti-tumor response, and the validation of IBIO-101 as a fast follower of RG6292. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the Company’s ability to continue to execute its growth strategy; its ability to obtain regulatory approvals for commercialization of its product candidates, or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements; regulatory limitations relating to its ability to promote or commercialize its product candidates for specific indications; acceptance of its product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of products; its ability to maintain its license agreements; the continued maintenance and growth of its patent estate; its ability to obtain or maintain the capital or grants necessary to fund its research and development activities and whether the Company will incur unforeseen expenses or liabilities or other market factors; successful compliance with governmental regulations applicable to its manufacturing facility; competition; its ability to retain its key employees or maintain its NYSE American listing; and the other factors discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2022 and the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contact:

Stephen Kilmer
iBio, Inc.
Investor Relations
(646) 274-3580
skilmer@ibioinc.com