Biond Biologics Secures $8M Investment from GIBF to Advance Novel Immunotherapies in China
Key Insights
Biond Biologics (search) and Guangzhou-Israel Biotechnology Fund (search) announced an $8 million strategic investment and joint venture to advance first-in-class oncology programs in the Chinese market.
The partnership will focus on developing BND-22, a Phase 2 anti-ILT2 (search) checkpoint inhibitor showing efficacy in treatment-resistant cancers like MSS colorectal cancer.
BND-67, a first-in-class therapy targeting CD28 (search) shedding, represents a novel approach to T-cell modulation with a Phase 1 trial planned for Q2 2026.
Biond Biologics (search) Ltd., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class immunotherapies, has secured an $8 million strategic investment from the Guangzhou-Israel Biotechnology Fund (search) (GIBF) to establish a China-based joint venture focused on advancing innovative oncology programs. The partnership, announced on June 1, 2026, aims to accelerate development of Biond's lead therapeutic candidates while leveraging GIBF's expertise in the Chinese biotechnology ecosystem.
Strategic Partnership Details
The newly formed joint venture will concentrate on advancing Biond's differentiated oncology pipeline, including two key programs: BND-67, a first-in-class therapy targeting CD28 (search) shedding, and BND-22, a Phase 2 anti-ILT2 (search) antibody. The collaboration is designed to combine Biond's novel scientific approaches with GIBF's deep understanding of clinical development, regulatory strategy, and local collaborations within the Chinese market.
"Entering this strategic partnership with GIBF marks an important milestone in advancing our pipeline globally," said Ori Shilo, CFO and Co-Founder of Biond Biologics (search). "By combining our novel scientific approaches with GIBF's deep understanding of the Chinese biotech landscape, we are well-positioned to accelerate the development of our lead programs, BND-22 and BND-67, and expand their potential across key indications."
Lead Program: BND-22 Anti-ILT2 Therapy
BND-22 represents a Phase 2 anti-ILT2 (search) checkpoint inhibitor designed to restore anti-tumor immunity by targeting the ILT2–HLA-G (search) axis. The therapy has demonstrated efficacy in heavily treated cancer patients with indications that typically show poor response to immuno-oncology therapies, including microsatellite stable colorectal cancer (MSS-CRC). The program is currently being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 2 study at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The therapeutic approach addresses a significant unmet medical need in oncology, particularly for patients with treatment-resistant cancers that have limited response to existing immunotherapy options.
Novel CD28 Targeting Approach
BND-67 represents Biond's next-generation immunotherapy platform as a first-in-class asset targeting CD28 (search) shedding, a novel immune evasion mechanism. Given the central role of CD28 in T-cell activation, BND-67 introduces a fundamentally new approach to restoring immune responsiveness in cancer patients.
The mechanism of action involves preserving CD28 (search) signaling to enhance effector T-cell activity while selectively inhibiting regulatory T-cell function, potentially driving a sustained anti-tumor response. The program has reached IND-ready status, with a Phase 1 trial planned for the second quarter of 2026.
Market Expansion Strategy
GIBF Managing Partner Avner Lushi emphasized the strategic value of the partnership, stating: "We are pleased to partner with Biond Biologics (search), a company developing highly differentiated therapies targeting novel immune pathways. The Chinese biotech market has rapidly evolved into a leading source of innovation, supported by high-quality clinical development and strong translational science."
The collaboration aims to accelerate clinical execution, expand combination strategies, and maximize the value of Biond's pipeline within the Chinese market. Additionally, the partners are seeking additional collaborations across Asia to further expand Biond's capabilities and geographic footprint.
Company Background
Founded in 2016 by Tehila Ben Moshe, Ph.D., Ori Shilo, and a team of accomplished scientists, Biond Biologics (search) focuses on developing first-in-class immunotherapies targeting novel pathways across both innate and adaptive immune systems. The company's pipeline includes clinical-stage oncology programs alongside a growing portfolio of discovery and preclinical programs in immune-mediated diseases.