HiFiBiO bags immuno-oncology specialist H-Immune

HiFiBiO Therapeutics specialises in the discovery of therapeutic antibodies through single-cell screening and analysis. It aims at mobilising the human immune system to combat disease. “The acquisition strengthens HiFiBiO Therapeutics’ strategic focus on identifying first-in-class targets for multiple immune cell types, as well as applying industry-leading technologies to develop diverse antibody therapeutics,” HiFiBiO stated. The company did not disclose financial details.

Established in late 2016 as a spin-out of the French Atomic Energy Commission, H-Immune was founded by Luc Boblet – former cofounder and CEO of Institute Pasteur spin-out PathoQuest – and immunologist Michel Léonetti. H-Immune has pioneered a unique in vitro immunisation-based fully human antibody generation platform, which complements HiFiBiO’s world-leading single-cell platform. Following the acquisition, Boblet joined the HiFiBiO Therapeutics’ leadership team as Executive Vice President, Business Development.

“HiFiBiO Therapeutics is well known for its expertise with immune modulation antibody therapies and unprecedented drug discovery engine,” said Boblet. “My team and I are excited to join this group of experienced, enthusiastic drug hunters. Together, with our synergies, we will be able to bring innovative immuno-oncology drugs to patients in need, faster and more effectively than before.”

“Over the past several months, we have made significant strides in our evolution as a biotherapeutics pioneer with this acquisition of H-Immune Therapeutics, collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies including Takeda and Kite, and fast progression of our own internal projects through our open innovation model,” said Liang Schweizer, President and CEO of HiFiBiO Therapeutics. “This acquisition not only adds a pipeline of promising novel therapeutics, but also strengthens our team of world-class immunologists and immune assay scientists. Together, we will accelerate the development of a full repertoire of innovative antibody drugs that will soon transform patient care.”