BioAge Labs Reenters Weight Loss Arena with Chinese Biotech Partnership

BioAge Labs, a Bay Area biotech company, has announced a new strategic move in the competitive weight loss market, signaling its commitment to obesity treatment despite recent setbacks. The company has entered into an option agreement with Chinese firm JiKang Therapeutics for a novel apelin receptor (APJ) agonist nanobody, potentially expanding its portfolio of obesity-fighting compounds.

New Collaboration and Internal Development

Under the agreement, BioAge and JiKang will collaborate to advance the nanobody to the cusp of investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies. BioAge retains the exclusive option to license the program and, if exercised, will spearhead global development and commercialization efforts.

Simultaneously, BioAge has filed a provisional patent application for a new class of internally developed APJ agonist molecules, demonstrating a two-pronged approach to bolster its presence in the obesity treatment space.

Dr. Kristen Fortney, BioAge's co-founder and CEO, emphasized the significance of apelin as a key target in metabolic aging. "Our preclinical data show that APJ agonism can amplify GLP-1–driven weight loss," Fortney stated, highlighting the potential for enhanced efficacy in weight management.

Strategic Pivot and Development Timeline

This move comes in the wake of BioAge's decision to discontinue its previous lead obesity candidate, azelaprag, due to liver toxicity concerns observed in a phase 2 trial. The company has since pivoted to focus on neuroinflammation prospect BGE-102, an NLRP3 inhibitor, as its lead candidate.

BioAge's ambitious development timeline includes plans to file an IND application for one of its new APJ program candidates in 2026. The company is pursuing both oral and subcutaneous formulations to cater to diverse patient preferences and potentially improve treatment outcomes.

Financial Implications and Industry Trends

While specific financial terms were not disclosed, the agreement includes an upfront payment and research funding to JiKang, with the potential for milestone payments and tiered royalties based on development, regulatory, and sales achievements.

This partnership aligns with a growing trend of American biotechs licensing assets from Chinese companies, reflecting the increasingly global nature of pharmaceutical research and development.

As BioAge navigates the challenging landscape of obesity treatment, its latest moves underscore the industry's continued focus on developing innovative therapies for metabolic disorders, despite the inherent risks and setbacks often encountered in drug development.