Oblenio Bio, the Massachusetts-based spinout formed by Aditum Bio around a trispecific T-cell engager (TCE) licensed from China-based Nanjing Leads Biolabs Co., Ltd. (HKEX: 09887), has exercised its option to retain the exclusive worldwide license for LBL-051, triggering a USD 10 million fee payable to Leads Biolabs' US subsidiary. The exercise comes two weeks after Oblenio dosed the first patients in a Phase Ia first-in-human trial in Europe, converting the original option structure into a full exclusive license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the asset globally.
LBL-051 is described by the company as a trispecific antibody simultaneously targeting BCMA, CD19, and CD3, designed to deplete both pathogenic B cells and plasma cells via T-cell redirection. Preclinical non-human primate data presented at the 2026 European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR 2026) showed complete depletion of peripheral and tissue B cells and plasma cells following step-up dosing, with emergence of immature, non-memory B cells upon recovery — a profile the company associates with drug-free remission in autoimmune patients. The company reported no cytokine release syndrome (CRS) at any dose level tested, including high-exposure conditions.
The USD 10 million option exercise fee is part of up to USD 35 million in upfront and near-term payments under the original agreement signed in November 2024, with up to USD 579 million in development, regulatory, and commercialization milestones on top. The original collaboration, option, and license agreement was announced by Aditum Bio and Leads Biolabs when Oblenio was formed specifically to develop the asset — a structure in which Aditum creates a purpose-built US entity around a Chinese-originator asset. Oblenio went on to close an oversubscribed USD 62 million Series B in June 2026, led by Pfizer Venture Investments alongside Deep Track Capital.
Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article