iBio Adds New Obesity Drug Candidate to Pipeline, Targets Fat Loss Without Muscle Loss

iBio Inc. (NASDAQ: IBIO) is stepping deeper into the high-growth obesity and metabolic disease space, announcing the addition of a new antibody drug candidate aimed at improving fat loss while preserving muscle. The company licensed the asset--developed with partner AstralBio--as part of its expanding portfolio of treatments for cardiometabolic conditions.

The new antibody targets a protein called Activin E, which plays a role in how the body stores and uses fat. In preclinical testing, the drug helped reduce abdominal fat in obese animal models, without affecting lean muscle. Notably, the treatment worked even better when combined with a GLP-1 agonist--like the drugs currently leading the weight-loss market.

iBio's CEO, Martin Brenner, stated that this addition supports the company's strategy of using advanced drug discovery tools to develop precision-targeted antibody therapies for major unmet medical needs like obesity and diabetes.

The deal also includes an expanded agreement with AstralBio, granting iBio rights to a fifth early-stage target in the cardiometabolic space. AstralBio stands to receive milestone payments of up to $28 million and a share of any sublicensing revenue from future deals.

The announcement comes as iBio continues its transition into a more focused, AI-enabled biopharma company. It is leveraging its antibody discovery platform and machine learning tools to move quickly into high-potential areas, with obesity and metabolic diseases among its top priorities.

Early data from the program will be presented at a scientific conference in May. The company expects this new asset to complement existing treatments while potentially addressing some of the key challenges in current weight-loss therapies.

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COMTEX_464805373/2927/2025-04-22T11:31:24