HCW Biologics Sinks on Alliance with WY Biotech

HCW Biologics Inc., (NASDAQ: HCWB) began Wednesday trading deep in the red. The Miramar, Fla.-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel immunotherapies to lengthen healthspan by disrupting the link between inflammation and age-related diseases, and WY Biotech Co., Ltd., a China-based company specializing in the early-stage development of recombinant protein drugs and gene/cell therapies, announced today that WY Biotech has completed its due diligence related to HCWB’s technology transfer report, including the characterization of the cell line, delivered last month. In addition, WY Biotech confirmed its commitment to proceed with the development and commercialization of the licensed molecule, HCW11-006, for in vivo therapeutic applications. The Agreement is now fully binding and HCW Biologics has earned the $7-million upfront license fee under the terms of the Agreement, as amended.In addition to the $7.0 million upfront payment, HCWB is eligible to receive additional significant development milestone payments and double-digit royalties on future product sales. Furthermore, HCWB will share a substantial portion of the proceeds from a future transaction(s) involving the molecule, if such a transaction occurs. HCWB also has a payment-free, milestone-free, and royalty-free option to recapture the development and commercialization rights of this molecule for the United States, Canada, Central America, and South America (Opt-in Territory) after the conclusion of the Phase 1 clinical trial.HCWB shares dipped 31 cents, or 4.7%, to $6.38.