Spero Therapeutics has licensed an investigational autoimmune disease therapy from China-based Innovent Biologics, according to a July 14 news release. The total deal value could reach up to $1.1 billion, which includes Spero’s upfront commitment as well as research and development, regulatory, and commercial milestones. The companies did not provide a detailed breakdown of the financial terms. Innovent will also be eligible for tiered royalties on net sales.
The agreement centers on SP001, a therapeutic antibody targeting CD40L, described by the partners as “a key protein positioned upstream in several immune signaling paths.” In their announcement, Spero and Innovent said SP001 “has the potential to redefine treatment paradigms across a range of immune-mediated diseases.”
Under the terms of the deal, Spero will have exclusive rights to develop SP001 globally outside Greater China—a region that includes mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Spero plans to begin a mid-stage trial of SP001 in IgG4-related disease during the second quarter of 2027.
Innovent will retain control over SP001—referred to as IBI355 by the company—in Greater China. There, it has already completed two early-stage healthy volunteer studies and a Phase 1b trial in patients with Sjögren’s disease. A Phase 2 trial for Sjögren’s is expected to start in early 2027.
To support development costs for SP001, Spero has entered into a financing agreement with Healthcare Royalty. In exchange for $105 million from Healthcare Royalty, Spero agreed to share an undisclosed portion of future sales-based milestones and royalty payments related to its GSK-partnered antibiotic Utebzi.
Utebzi received approval last month from the Food and Drug Administration for complicated urinary tract infection.
