Alebund licenses kidney drug AP306 to R1 Therapeutics outside China

Alebund Pharmaceuticals has entered into licensing and equity agreements with R1 Therapeutics for AP306, a drug candidate for treating hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease patients receiving dialysis. The agreement grants R1 exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize AP306 outside Greater China.

The financial terms include potential milestone payments of up to low triple-digit millions of U.S. dollars and tiered royalties in the low double-digit percentage range based on net sales. Alebund will retain a substantial non-dilutive equity interest in R1 and participate in future commercial upside through dividends.

R1 Therapeutics recently completed a $77.5 million Series A financing round backed by major kidney care providers including DaVita (NYSE: DVA) and U.S. Renal Care, along with venture capital investors. R1 will fund and lead global clinical development of AP306, including a planned global Phase 2b multi-regional clinical trial in the U.S. and China set to initiate later this year.

AP306 is described as a first-in-class pan-phosphate transporter inhibitor that works by blocking active transport of phosphorus through three key phosphate transporters in the gastrointestinal tract. This represents a different mechanism compared to conventional phosphate binders. The compound was originally discovered by Chugai Pharmaceuticals and subsequently licensed to Alebund.

A completed Phase 2a study in hemodialysis patients showed significant reduction in serum phosphate levels with good safety and tolerability, with results published in Kidney International Reports. The data was also presented at the 61st European Renal Association Annual Congress.

The information is based on a press release statement from Alebund Pharmaceuticals.

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