Biond Biologics, a private clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Misgav, Israel, and the Guangzhou-Israel Biotechnology Fund (GIBF) announced the closing of an USD 8 million strategic investment and the formation of a China-based joint venture to advance Biond’s oncology pipeline within the Chinese market. The transaction covers two lead programs — BND-22 and BND-67 — and gives GIBF a development role in China alongside the capital commitment. No additional equity stake percentages or JV ownership splits were disclosed.
BND-22 is a Phase II anti-ILT2 checkpoint inhibitor antibody targeting the ILT2–HLA-G axis, currently under evaluation in an ongoing Phase II study at MD Anderson Cancer Center in indications including microsatellite stable colorectal cancer, a tumor type with historically limited response to checkpoint immunotherapy. BND-67 is an IND-ready first-in-class asset targeting CD28 shedding, a mechanism the company characterizes as a novel immune evasion pathway; a Phase I trial is planned for Q2 2026. Both programs will be prioritized within the newly established joint venture for clinical execution and regulatory advancement in China.
The JV is described as China-focused, with GIBF contributing clinical development expertise, regulatory strategy, and local operational capabilities; Biond retains its broader global pipeline rights outside the JV’s geographic scope. GIBF’s managing partner noted the fund is also pursuing additional collaborations across Asia to extend Biond’s regional footprint beyond China, though no specific additional agreements were announced.
GIBF has applied a comparable invest-to-develop model in prior transactions, including a USD 10 million investment in Nectin Therapeutics in May 2024 to advance anti-PVR immunotherapies and ADC candidates in China. BND-22 itself carries prior partnering history: Biond previously out-licensed the asset to Sanofi in a deal carrying over USD 1 billion in potential milestones before reacquiring full global rights in early 2025 following Sanofi’s return of the program.