HCW Biologics Completes Key Deliverable, Finalizes License Agreement With WY Biotech

HCW Biologics Inc., a U.S.-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel immunotherapies to extend healthspan by targeting inflammation and age-related diseases, and WY Biotech Co., Ltd., a China-based company specializing in early-stage development of recombinant protein drugs and gene/cell therapies, have announced the successful completion of WY Biotech’s due diligence on HCWB’s technology transfer report. 

This report, which included detailed characterization of the cell line, was delivered on May 13, 2025. Following this review, WY Biotech has confirmed its commitment to move forward with the development and commercialization of the licensed molecule, HCW11-006, intended for in vivo therapeutic use. With this confirmation, the agreement between the two companies is now fully binding, and HCW Biologics has received a $7 million upfront license fee as outlined in the amended terms of the agreement.

Beyond the initial upfront payment, HCW Biologics stands to gain additional significant milestone payments related to the molecule’s development, as well as double-digit royalties from future product sales. The agreement also includes provisions for HCWB to share substantially in proceeds from any future transactions involving the molecule. 

Additionally, HCWB retains a payment-free, milestone-free, and royalty-free option to regain the development and commercialization rights for the molecule in the United States, Canada, Central America, and South America referred to as the Opt-in Territory after the completion of the molecule’s Phase 1 clinical trial. Under the terms of the partnership, WY Biotech will cover all expenses related to research and development, manufacturing, clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and commercialization outside the Opt-in Territory. 

Dr. Hing C. Wong, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of HCW Biologics, said in a statement, “We have a strategic focus to establish commercialization partnerships for our novel protein and antibody therapies with innovative leaders in the immunotherapy field. HCW11-006, the product candidate subject to the license with WY Biotech, combines several different immune functional domains on HCW Biologics’ TRBC drug discovery and development platform as part of a group of compounds characterized as Multi-Functional Immune Cell Stimulators. Preclinical studies demonstrated that HCW11-006 is highly effective at inducing anti-tumor CD8+ T cell and NK cell responses without triggering unwanted side effects in relevant solid tumor animal models.”

If HCWB chooses to exercise its opt-in rights, it will assume responsibility for clinical development, regulatory approval, and commercialization within the Opt-in Territory. Both companies will collaborate closely during the development phase, focusing on a global approach to clinical development and potential partnering opportunities. This partnership represents a strategic step forward in advancing HCW11-006 toward therapeutic applications addressing inflammation and age-related diseases.