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From left to right: Fred Craves, CEO; Sara Marsal, CMO; Sandy Zweifach, CBO; and Daniel Pérez, CDO of IMIDomics.
 30.07.2025

Pharmaceutical company Formation Bio obtains the global license for IMIDomics’ anti-CD226 antibody for autoimmune diseases

The American company Formation Bio, a pharmaceutical firm native to artificial intelligence, has acquired the global licence for the first-in-class anti-CD226 monoclonal antibody from the biotechnology company IMIDomics, located in the Barcelona Science Park. IMIDomics is dedicated to the development of new precision medicine therapies for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, a diverse group of conditions characterized by immune system dysregulation and the development of systemic chronic inflammation. The clinical program, which has received Investigational New Drug (IND) authorization from the FDA, will be developed by Formation Bio for autoimmune indications, initially for ulcerative colitis.

The antibody targets CD226 (DNAM-1), a key immune checkpoint involved in regulating several key immune cells, thereby affecting both innate and acquired immune responses. By blocking the interaction between CD226 and its ligands CD112 and CD155, the antibody aims to suppress immune overactivation, offering a novel approach for treating patients with autoimmune conditions.

These diseases affect millions globally and are often characterized by high rates of treatment failure, loss of response, and limited options after first- and second-line therapies. A mechanistically distinct agent like anti-CD226 has the potential to reach patients underserved by current therapies.

Under the terms of the agreement, IMIDomics, a spinoff from Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR) will receive an upfront payment, and is eligible for future development and commercial milestones, as well as royalties on potential sales.

“This is a high-potential program that fits squarely within Formation Bio’s model,” says David Steinberg, Chief Business Officer at Formation Bio. “It highlights how our hub-and-spoke approach—combining structured partnerships with fully integrated execution—can unlock value beyond traditional paths. We provide the capital, scale, and trial infrastructure to accelerate development, while partners retain meaningful upside through our shared-equity structure.”

The development strategy for the anti-CD226 mAb program was supported by IMIDomics’ Immune Mediated Inflammatory Diseases Consortium in Spain, which was established twenty years ago in collaboration with a number of academic institutions. This deep, longitudinal dataset provided potential mechanistic validation, laying a robust and differentiated foundation for clinical advancement.

“We’re excited to collaborate with Formation Bio to combine their development capabilities with IMIDomics’ deep understanding of complex autoimmune diseases,” said Sandy Zweifach, President and Chief Business Officer at IMIDomics. “Advancing our anti-CD226 monoclonal antibody into clinical development is just one example of how our patient insights platform and scientific research, led by our co-founder Dr. Sara Marsal, MD, Ph.D, are translating into meaningful progress. The IND approval of this program, under the direction of our Chief Development Officer Dr. Daniel Perez, MD, marked the first in a pipeline of potential novel therapies targeting these debilitating diseases.”

» Link to the news: IMIDomics website [+]