I-Mab, a U.S.-based biotech company focused on precision immuno-oncology for cancer, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Bridge Health Biotech.
This acquisition allows I-Mab to develop bispecific and multi-specific applications, including antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) based on the Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) parental antibody used in their bispecific antibody, givastomig. This antibody demonstrates a higher affinity for human CLDN18.2 than existing therapies and shows stronger binding to cell lines with varying CLDN18.2 expression, positioning it as a potential best-in-class option for treating Claudin 18.2-positive cancers.
Givastomig is being developed for the first-line treatment of metastatic gastric cancer, with plans to expand into other solid tumors. A Phase 1b dose-escalation study showed an 83% objective response rate and favorable tolerability. I-Mab intends to present topline results in the first quarter of 2026.
Under the agreement, I-Mab will pay Bridge Health shareholders an upfront payment of $1.8 million, plus an additional $1.2 million through 2027. Future milestone payments could total up to $3.875 million, depending on specific development and regulatory achievements.
Advisor/support: Sidley Austin served as legal advisor to I-Mab in connection with the transaction.
KEY QUOTES:
“Advancing givastomig is I-Mab’s top priority. The strategic acquisition of Bridge Health emphasizes I-Mab’s focus on enhancing the value of givastomig. With this transaction, I-Mab has further enriched the potential value of givastomig by strengthening upstream intellectual property rights, reducing future milestone payments, and unencumbering givastomig of future royalties. Positive Phase 1b dose escalation data recently presented at ESMO GI 2025 has enhanced our confidence that givastomig has the potential to be a best-in-class CLDN18.2-directed therapy for gastric cancers and beyond. Continued clinical trial momentum has enabled faster than expected enrollment in the Phase 1b dose expansion cohorts, and we now expect to provide a topline readout in Q1 of 2026.”
Sean Fu, PhD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of I-Mab
