iBio signed a license and collaboration agreement with Caliber Biotherapeutics for the development and production of recombinant plant-based biopharmaceuticals using iBioLaunch™ technology and Caliber’s plant-based manufacturing capabilities.

The new relationship establishes a turn-key plant-based biopharmaceutical development capability, from the earliest stage of product selection and optimization through large-scale production, according to Robert B. Kay, executive chairman and CEO of iBio. Caliber and iBio will use their combined capabilities for their own product portfolios, starting with an undisclosed monoclonal antibody for oncology indications, where Caliber and its affiliates have experience, continued Kay. The companies also will make their combined capabilities available to third parties through licensing and partnering arrangements for other recombinant plant-based biotherapeutics and vaccines.

iBioLaunch technology is focused on using common green plants to produce commercial quantities of targeted human proteins in proper form for use as the active pharmaceutical ingredients for the development and production of biopharmaceuticals. Caliber owns and operates a large cGMP commercial manufacturing facility for plant-made biopharmaceutical products.

Under the terms of the agreement, iBio will receive license and milestone fees for development of product targets selected by Caliber, which will be responsible for funding clinical development and commercialization of such collaboration products. iBio will receive royalties on product sales and other revenues.

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