Hinge Bio, Inc. has announced the successful completion of a $30 million Series A financing round, spearheaded by Point72, to propel the development of its innovative GEM-DIMER platform and advance novel therapies for autoimmune diseases. The funding will primarily support the clinical advancement of Hinge Bio's lead candidate, HB2198, which is slated to enter Phase 1 clinical trials in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in 2025. This investment marks a significant step forward in addressing the unmet needs of patients suffering from intractable autoimmune conditions.
HB2198: A Novel Approach to B Cell Depletion
HB2198, Hinge Bio's foremost therapeutic candidate, leverages the GEM-DIMER platform to target both CD19 and CD20 on B cells, enhancing natural killer cell engagement. This dual-targeting mechanism is designed to induce a more profound and rapid depletion of B cells compared to existing antibody-based therapies. Preclinical in vivo studies have demonstrated promising results, suggesting that HB2198 could achieve a comprehensive reset of the immune system through the swift and thorough elimination of B cells in both peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues.
The therapeutic objective of HB2198 is to provide a convenient, accessible, and cost-effective off-the-shelf antibody-based treatment option for patients with B cell-mediated autoimmune disorders. By achieving deep and sustained B cell depletion, HB2198 aims to modify the course of these diseases and improve patient outcomes.
GEM-DIMER Platform: A Versatile Technology
The GEM-DIMER technology, invented by Hinge Bio's Chief Scientific Officer, Daniel Capon, Ph.D., allows for the creation of multivalent, multispecific antibody-based therapeutics. These therapeutics are engineered to bind their targets cooperatively, resulting in dramatically enhanced biological activity and unique functionality. The platform's versatility extends beyond autoimmune diseases, with potential applications in inflammatory and infectious diseases, as well as cancer.
According to Alex Silverstein, Portfolio Manager at Point72, "Hinge's GEM-DIMER technology has broad applicability across therapeutic areas and constructs, and we believe HB2198 only begins to show the promise of Hinge's platform. The talented team at Hinge is well positioned to develop exciting medicines that have the potential to both improve upon current standards of care and harness novel pathways."
Addressing Unmet Needs in Autoimmune Disease
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, the initial target indication for HB2198, is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting an estimated 5 million people worldwide. The condition is characterized by the production of autoantibodies that target the body's own tissues and organs, leading to inflammation and damage. Current treatments for SLE are limited, and there remains a significant unmet need for more effective and targeted therapies.
Dr. Wayne Holman, Founder & CEO of Ridgeback Capital, commented, "Hinge has developed a platform to create best in class medicines against known and novel targets. The lead program is a B-cell depleting medicine that we believe will be as efficacious as a CD19 CAR T in autoimmune disease with the safety and tolerability of a simple monoclonal antibody... This may transform autoimmune disease and leapfrog competing platforms such as CAR T and T-cell engagers in the B cell depletion field."
