Mabwell (Shanghai) Bioscience Co., Ltd. and Aditum Bio announced the formation of Kalexo Bio, a new company established through an exclusive global licensing agreement to advance 2MW7141, a novel dual-target siRNA candidate targeting lipid management in patients with dyslipidemia and prevention of high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events.
Strategic Partnership Structure
Aditum Bio will provide funding for Kalexo Bio while both companies collaborate to advance 2MW7141 into clinical development. The partnership leverages Aditum Bio's incubator model, which focuses on the translational phase of drug development through a nimble start-up platform supported by dedicated management teams and in-house development professionals.
Under the licensing agreement, Mabwell granted Kalexo Bio exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize 2MW7141. The deal structure includes potential payments to Mabwell of up to $1 billion through upfront and milestone payments, plus tiered royalties on global sales. The immediate financial terms include $12 million in non-refundable upfront and near-term cash payments, with Mabwell also receiving an equity stake in Kalexo Bio.
Preclinical Performance
In preclinical studies, 2MW7141 demonstrated potent and sustained suppression of target genes with low risk of off-target effects, supporting its potential as a best-in-class therapy. The dual-target siRNA approach represents a novel mechanism for addressing cardiovascular risk through lipid management.
Clinical Significance and Market Need
"Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and 2MW7141 represents a novel approach with the potential to change the standard of care in lipid management," said Joe Jimenez, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Aditum Bio. "We are excited to partner with Mabwell and to launch Kalexo Bio as a dedicated company to advance this promising siRNA therapy into the clinic."
Dr. Datao Liu, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Mabwell, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership: "The formation of Kalexo Bio marks an important milestone for Mabwell as we expand the global reach of our innovative pipeline. 2MW7141 has shown compelling preclinical results, and we believe that through our partnership with Aditum's experienced team, we can accelerate its development and ultimately deliver a much-needed therapy to patients at risk of cardiovascular disease worldwide."
Company Backgrounds
Mabwell Bioscience is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company with capabilities spanning the entire pharmaceutical value chain, focusing on oncology and aging-related diseases. The company operates under the mission "Explore Life, Benefit Health" with a vision of "Innovation, from Ideas to Reality."
Aditum Bio operates as a biotech venture firm committed to accelerating drug development in disease areas with high unmet medical need. The company in-licenses promising drug candidates and creates dedicated spin-out companies to advance each candidate through early clinical trials, focusing on areas where medical innovation can deliver significant patient impact.
