iBio and AstralBio Provide Update on Myostatin Program for Obesity: Lead Molecule Identified with Potential for Extended Half-Life and Subcutaneous Dosing
iBio (NYSEA: IBIO), a company leveraging AI for precision antibody immunotherapies, announced an update on its myostatin program targeting obesity and cardiometabolic diseases in collaboration with AstralBio. The two companies have identified a lead molecule with the potential to treat muscle wasting and obesity, designed for subcutaneous dosing and with an extended half-life.
Leveraging iBio’s advanced technology, the myostatin program progressed rapidly from its inception to achieving in vitro proof-of-concept in human muscle cells. The next phase includes non-cGMP in vivo studies in rodents and non-human primates (NHP), with early NHP data expected in early 2025.
“Myostatin inhibitors hold great promise for treating obesity by increasing muscle mass and boosting metabolism,” said Martin Brenner, Ph.D., DVM, iBio’s CEO and Chief Scientific Officer. “We are optimistic our novel molecule could offer an alternative to intravenous administration with less frequent dosing.”
The partnership with AstralBio provides iBio with an exclusive option to license three cardiometabolic targets. Should iBio choose to in-license the myostatin program, they aim to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application by the end of 2025.
“iBio’s AI-powered platform is an innovative tool for advancing therapies that address conditions like obesity and muscle wasting,” said Patrick Crutcher, CEO of AstralBio. “We are thrilled with the progress made on this program and look forward to advancing it further.”
About iBio, Inc.
iBio is an AI-driven innovator that develops next-generation biopharmaceuticals using computational biology and 3D-modeling of subdominant and conformational epitopes, prospectively enabling the discovery of new antibody treatments for hard-to-target cancers, and other diseases. iBio’s mission is to decrease drug failures, shorten drug development timelines, and open up new frontiers against the most promising targets
