Numab Therapeutics' spin-off, Yellow Jersey Therapeutics, gets acquired by Johnson & Johnson for USD 1.25 billion
Numab Therapeutics has agreed to sell Yellow Jersey Therapeutics (YJT) — a subsidiary set to be spun off to Numab's shareholders — to Johnson & Johnson. YJT includes all assets related to NM26, an innovative bi-specific antibody for atopic dermatitis, now advancing to Phase 2 clinical trials.
Numab Therapeutics, based in Horgen (ZH), develops multi-specific antibody-based immunotherapies for inflammation and cancer. Johnson & Johnson will acquire global rights to Numab's lead molecule NM26, a Phase 2-ready bispecific antibody targeting two pathways in atopic dermatitis (AD), for USD 1.25 billion. Yellow Jersey Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Numab, holds the rights to NM26, which targets IL-4Rα and IL-31 for AD treatment and will enter Phase 2 trials. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2024.Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a chronic skin condition causing inflammation, redness, and irritation, commonly beginning in childhood but possible at any age. Numab’s proprietary platforms enable the development of new medicines in oncology, immunology, and inflammatory diseases. Their diverse pipeline includes several antibody candidates developed with biopharma partners. Investors include Novo Holdings, HBM Partners, Forbion, BVF Partners L.P., and RTW Investments L.P.
Numab’s lead oncology molecule, NM32, is a tri-specific antibody in Phase 1 trials for treating solid tumors. It targets ROR1, which is overexpressed in tumors like chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), lung cancer, and ovarian cancer.
Numab Therapeutics was ranked among the TOP 100 Swiss Startups in 2013, 2014, and 2021.
“This transaction validates the power of our discovery and engineering platform and its potential to bring multiple novel multi-specific antibodies to large, underserved patient populations. Our partnering strategy engaging biopharma partners such as Kaken, Eisai, Boehringer Ingelheim and Ono from early on, has been instrumental in realizing the value of our platform and will continue to be key to advancing our potentially transformative immunology and oncology programs,” commented David Urech, Co-Founder and CEO of Numab.
David Urech, CEO and Co-Founder of Numab Therapeutics
Numab Therapeutics AG: Innovates and develops antibody-based therapeutics
Our proprietary platforms Lambda-Cap™ and MATCH™ are designed to create differentiated therapeutics on a repeatable basis. Using a novel, rational process, our discovery and engineering technology yie... Read more
