Harbour BioMed (HKEX: 02142), a global biopharmaceutical company, announced on Friday that it has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the Centre for Drug Evaluation of China's National Medical Products Administration for HBM9378/SKB378, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD is a progressive respiratory condition that leads to significant healthcare burdens and worsens patients' quality of life. Harbour BioMed aims to address the unmet need for new therapeutic options. HBM9378/SKB378, developed in partnership with Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical Co, Ltd (6990.HK), offers enhanced bioavailability, reduced immunogenicity risks, and optimized long half-life properties, providing advantages in dosing and formulation.

The drug has already completed a Phase I trial in China for moderate-to-severe asthma. Harbour BioMed believes HBM9378/SKB378's novel mechanism, which inhibits the TSLP signaling pathway, has strong potential to meet the needs of COPD patients.

Harbour BioMed focuses on advancing innovative antibody therapeutics in oncology and immunology, leveraging its proprietary Harbour Mice and HBICE bispecific antibody platforms for next-generation drug development.