Frontier Biotech licenses 3BNC117, a novel broad-spectrum HIV neutralizing antibody

NANJING, China, July 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Frontier Biotechnologies, Inc., a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of novel therapeutic products addressing significant unmet medical needs, today announced it has signed an agreement with The Rockefeller University of the US for the worldwide license for combining 3BNC117, a novel broad-spectrum HIV neutralizing antibody, with albuvirtide for the treatment and prophylaxis of HIV infection and AIDS.

Discovered and developed by Dr. Michel Nussenzweig, head of the Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Zanvil A. Cohn and Ralph M. Steinman Professor of The Rockefeller University, as well as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, 3BNC117 is one of the most effective broad-spectrum HIV neutralizing antibodies. Several phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials have been conducted in the US, showing 3BNC117 not only blocks viral replication like other AIDS drugs, but also induces immune response to HIV and HIV-infected cells.

Dr. Dong Xie, Chairman and CSO of Frontier Biotech commented: "Antibody-mediated immunotherapy and long-acting HIV medicines can potentially improve the current antiretroviral therapy. In 2016, we filed with China FDA the world's first NDA of a long-acting HIV medicine, Frontier's lead drug candidate albuvirtide. Combining 3BNC117 with albuvirtide, we will form an all-injectable, long-acting, two-drug regimen that has novel mechanism of action. We plan to initiate clinical trials in 2018 to test its safety, effectiveness, and potential in eliciting immune response to HIV infection." Dr. CJ Wang, CEO of Frontier Biotech said, "I am excited that Dr. Michel Nussenzweig, a world-renowned expert in immunology and HIV immunotherapy, has joined Frontier Biotech as a Scientific Adviser. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration between Chinese and American scientists to bring innovative medicines to worldwide patients in need."

About Frontier Biotechnologies Inc.

Frontier Biotechnologies Inc. is a research-based pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of next-generation therapeutic products addressing significant unmet medical needs. Its lead product candidate Albuvirtide, a novel long-acting anti-HIV agent, is in Phase 3 trial in China. The second lead drug candidate AB001 is a third generation topical patch for the management of pain and inflammation, and a phase 2 clinical trial of AB001 for the treatment of chronic low back pain was successfully completed in the US.

SOURCE Frontier Biotechnologies Inc.