HOOKIPA Pharma Announces Sale of Oncology Assets to NeoTrail Therapeutics

Core Insights - HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. has sold its immuno-oncology assets, including the HB-200 and HB-700 development programs, to NeoTrail Therapeutics, with the purchase price undisclosed [1][2]. Group 1: Asset Sale Details - The asset purchase agreement was signed on January 28, 2026, and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, pending customary closing conditions [2]. - The sale is aimed at continuing the clinical development of promising therapeutics for multiple major market indications [2]. Group 2: HB-200 Overview - HB-200 (eseba-vec) is an investigational immunotherapeutic agent targeting HPV16 positive cancers, utilizing a proprietary arenavirus platform [3]. - Positive preliminary data from a Phase 2 trial in combination with pembrolizumab for recurrent/metastatic HPV16 positive head and neck cancers was presented in November 2024 [3]. - HB-200 has received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. FDA and PRIME designation from the European Medicines Agency [3]. Group 3: HB-700 Overview - HB-700 is designed to treat KRAS-mutated cancers, including lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers, and targets prevalent KRAS mutations [4]. - It is a replicating 2-vector therapy that has the potential to benefit more patients than single mutation inhibitors [4]. - HB-700 received Investigational New Drug application clearance from the FDA in April 2024 and is ready for Phase 1 trials [4].