HCW Biologics and WY Biotech Launch Joint Venture Trimmune to Advance Cancer Immunotherapy HCW11-006
Key Insights
HCW Biologics and WY Biotech (search) have formed Beijing Trimmune Biotech (search), securing initial funding from CITIC Medical Fund (search) and TigerMed to develop the cancer (search) immunotherapy HCW11-006 (search).
The joint venture involves a $7 million deal structure, with Trimmune holding exclusive worldwide licensing rights for HCW11-006 (search) and planning Phase 1 trials in China for solid tumors (search) by first half 2027.
HCW Biologics retains a royalty-free option to reclaim development rights for the Americas territory after Phase 1 completion, while receiving milestone payments and double-digit royalties on future sales.
HCW Biologics Inc. and WY Biotech (search) Co., Ltd. have successfully launched their joint venture Beijing Trimmune Biotech (search) Co., Ltd., securing initial funding to advance the development of HCW11-006 (search), a promising cancer (search) immunotherapy derived from HCW Biologics' TRBC drug development platform. The partnership represents a $7 million transaction structure designed to accelerate clinical development of the preclinical molecule for solid tumor treatment.
Strategic Partnership Structure
The collaboration establishes Trimmune as the exclusive worldwide licensee for HCW11-006 (search)'s in vivo applications, with backing from major investors including the CITIC Medical Fund (search), a multi-billion-dollar investment fund focused on pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, and TigerYeah Capital Fund of TigerMed, a global leading Contract Research Organization. The deal also includes an option for exclusive Greater China rights to HCW9302, HCW Biologics' clinical-stage molecule currently in evaluation for autoimmune disorders.
HCW Biologics is receiving $3.5 million in upfront licensing fees, with $1.75 million paid immediately and the remainder due by March 6, 2026. Additionally, the company holds a minority co-founder equity position in Trimmune valued at approximately $3.5 million, bringing the total initial consideration to $7 million.
Clinical Development Timeline
Based on strong preclinical in-vitro and in-vivo study results, Trimmune expects to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial in China to evaluate HCW11-006 (search) in solid tumor treatment during the first half of 2027. Roger Lu, Chairman of Trimmune, stated that the company's strategy focuses on demonstrating clinical data that will provide significant medical benefits to a large patient population.
"With the expertise of HCW Biologics and TigerMed, and with the strong support of Chinese venture partners, we have the expertise and resource commitments to build a strong clinical development program to treat cancer (search)-related diseases in both the Chinese-NMPA and the US-FDA systems," Lu explained.
Innovative TRBC Platform Technology
HCW11-006 (search) represents the first high-potential molecule created using HCW Biologics' TRBC platform (search), a versatile drug discovery technology that constructs immunotherapeutics capable of both activating immune responses and targeting cancerous or infected cells. The platform enables creation of multiple immunotherapeutic classes, including Multi-Functional Immune Cell Stimulators, Second-Generation Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, and Multi-Specific Targeting Fusions.
Dr. Hing C. Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HCW Biologics, emphasized the molecule's potential: "HCW Biologics has already demonstrated that HCW11-006 (search) is a highly promising drug candidate as an injectable immunotherapeutic for cancer (search) and infectious diseases."
Unique Territorial Rights Structure
The partnership includes an innovative territorial rights arrangement that allows HCW Biologics to recapture development and commercialization rights for the Americas territory (United States, Canada, Central America, and South America) after Phase 1 trial completion in China. This option is payment-free, milestone-free, and royalty-free, providing HCW Biologics direct access to Phase 1 results without financial responsibility for the initial trial costs.
If exercised, both companies would become co-development partners, building unified clinical programs and collaborating on business development opportunities with multinational corporations. Each party would assume financial responsibility for development, manufacturing, and commercialization costs within their respective territories.
Financial Terms and Future Milestones
Beyond the upfront payments, HCW Biologics is eligible for significant development milestone payments, double-digit royalties on future product sales, and a portion of proceeds from future transactions involving the licensed molecule. The company has constructed over 50 molecules using the TRBC platform (search), with three additional TRBC-based molecules currently undergoing IND-enabling processes for clinical development programs in cancer (search) and age-related diseases.
The joint venture represents HCW Biologics' continued focus on developing immunotherapies that target chronic inflammation (search)'s link to disease, particularly age-related and senescence-associated conditions. The company's approach aims to fundamentally change treatment paradigms for cancer (search) and other chronic inflammation-promoted diseases while potentially extending patient longevity and improving quality of life.