South Korean pharmaceutical company HanAll Biopharma has entered a strategic collaboration and licence agreement with China-based Harbour BioMed for the development, production and commercialisation of two new biologic therapies in Greater China, including Hong Kong, S.A.R., China, Macau, S.A.R., China and Taiwan, China.

The deal includes HanAll Biopharma’s anti-Fc receptor (FcRn) monoclonal antibody, HL161, and anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) ophthalmic solution, HL036.

HL161 is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) that rescues IgGs from intracellular degradation and maintains the high serum levels, even pathogenic auto-IgGs.

The biologic therapy is used for the treatment of pathogenic IgG-mediated autoimmune diseases.

HL036 is a TNF receptor fragment that has been molecularly engineered to improve tissue penetration efficiency and TNF-neutralising potency for the best topical anti-TNF peptide.

It is used to treat patients suffering from dry eye and other inflammatory diseases.

Harbour BioMed CEO Dr Jingsong Wang said: "There are great unmet medical needs that these two innovative compounds can address for Chinese patients.

"We are looking forward to collaborating with HanAll Biopharma to develop them in Greater China. This collaboration is aligned with our strategy to leverage our global and regional clinical development expertise by in-licensing clinical stage compounds that are complementary to the internal portfolio we are building through our industry leading, transgenic mouse platforms for generating fully human antibodies."

Under the deal, HanAll Biopharma will be entitled to receive a payment of up to $81m in total upfront, development, registration and sales milestones, in addition to royalties on net sales.

It is reported that HanAll has reserved the rights to commercialise the products outside of Greater China.