HBM Alpha Therapeutics (HBMAT) Inc., a biotechnology company incubated by Harbour BioMed, has entered a strategic collaboration and license agreement with a business partner to advance novel therapies targeting corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) for various disorders.

Under the agreement, the partner gains exclusive global rights, excluding Greater China (mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau), to develop and commercialize HAT001 (designated as HBM9013 by Harbour BioMed), a potent and selective anti-CRH-neutralizing antibody. In return, HBMAT is eligible to receive up to $395 million, including upfront, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties on future net product sales. Additionally, HBMAT is also entitled to a warrant to receive minority interest in the partner.

HAT001/HBM9013 is designed to treat congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a group of autosomal recessive diseases caused by gene mutations affecting adrenal hormone synthesis. Despite the introduction of the current standard of care therapy over 70 years ago, significant unmet medical needs remain. HAT001/HBM9013 has shown strong preclinical efficacy in reducing CRH-induced ACTH production and is advancing toward clinical development.

“This collaboration represents a pivotal step for HBMAT in our mission to deliver innovative solutions for patients facing challenging endocrine disorders. The completion of this transaction also marks Harbour BioMed’s partial exit from the first global NewCo we incubated,” said Dr. Jingsong Wang, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Harbour BioMed, and Chairman of BOD of HBMAT. “HAT001/HBM9013 has the potential to be a transformative therapy. With their expertise in drug development, our partner is well-positioned to help bring this therapy to patients worldwide.”