Spero licenses Innovent's experimental immune disease drug for up to $1.1 billion

Innovent Biologics

14/07/2026 11:43

July 14 (Reuters) - Spero Therapeutics SPRO.O has licensed rights outside Greater China to develop and commercialize Innovent Biologics' 1801.HK experimental autoimmune disease treatment in a deal worth up to about $1.1 billion, the companies said on Tuesday.
Spero will get exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and sell the treatment, IBI355, worldwide outside Greater China, while Innovent will retain rights in its home market.
The transaction gives Spero its first immunology asset as it expands beyond its infectious disease business.
Innovent will receive an upfront payment and is eligible for development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, totaling about $1.1 billion, as well as royalties on sales.
IBI355 targets CD40L, a protein involved in immune system signaling, and is being developed for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Spero plans to begin a mid-stage trial of the drug in IgG4-related disease in the second quarter of 2027, while Innovent plans a mid-stage China study in Sjögren's disease by early 2027.
IgG4-related disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting multiple organs, while Sjögren's disease is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects tear and salivary glands.
The drug has completed early-stage testing in healthy volunteers and has also been studied in patients with Sjögren's disease, the companies said. 

 (Reporting by Kunal Das in Bengaluru; Editing by Joyjeet Das)
 ((Kunal.Das2@thomsonreuters.com;))