iBio Discovers Novel Antibody Targeting Activin E in Collaboration with AstralBio

Core Insights - iBio, Inc. has developed an antibody that inhibits Activin E, a significant therapeutic target for cardiometabolic disorders and obesity, showcasing the potential of its AI-driven drug discovery platform [1][2][3] - The achievement is considered an industry first and strengthens iBio's pipeline for innovative therapeutics aimed at addressing high unmet medical needs in cardiometabolic health [2][4] Company Developments - iBio's Machine-Learning Antibody Engine successfully identified five critical epitope regions on the Activin E protein, enabling the development of synthetic epitopes and antibodies without the need to produce Activin E itself [2][3] - Preclinical studies indicate strong antibody binding to Activin E, demonstrating sub-nanomolar kinetics and complete blockade of its signaling in human adipocytes, which is crucial for metabolic health [3] - iBio has entered a collaboration with AstralBio, granting AstralBio an exclusive license to engineer four targets for cardiometabolic disease, while iBio retains the option to license three targets from AstralBio [4][5] Industry Context - Activin E is supported as a promising therapeutic target based on human genetics, with individuals having a protective mutation in the INHBE gene showing a healthier cardiometabolic profile [2] - The current GLP-1 class of therapeutics has limitations, highlighting the need for next-generation solutions that can effectively address obesity and its associated health risks [3] - The collaboration between iBio and AstralBio aims to accelerate the development of novel therapeutics for cardiometabolic diseases, leveraging advanced technology for rapid progress [5][6]