HanchorBio Taps WuXi Biologics to Fast-Track Cancer Therapies

SHANGHAI, TAIPEI and SAN FRANCISCO – January 26, 2026 – In a significant move to accelerate the development of next-generation immunotherapies, clinical-stage biotechnology firm HanchorBio has entered into a strategic partnership with WuXi Biologics, a global leader in contract research, development, and manufacturing. The collaboration, announced today, will leverage WuXi Biologics' extensive capabilities to advance HanchorBio's pipeline of innovative bi- and multi-functional fusion proteins designed to treat complex cancers and autoimmune diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, WuXi Biologics will provide a comprehensive suite of end-to-end services for multiple programs derived from HanchorBio's proprietary Fc-Based Designer Biologics (FBDB™) platform. This includes critical stages of drug development such as cell line and process development, bioassay creation, formulation, and GMP-compliant manufacturing, positioning HanchorBio to rapidly move its promising candidates from the laboratory toward global clinical trials.

Beyond Single Targets: A Multi-Pronged Attack on Disease

The partnership centers on HanchorBio's novel approach to immunotherapy, which seeks to overcome the limitations of current treatments, including the widely used anti-PD-1/L1 checkpoint inhibitors. Many cancers develop resistance to therapies that target a single immune pathway. HanchorBio’s FBDB™ platform addresses this challenge by rationally designing complex biologics that can engage multiple therapeutic mechanisms simultaneously within a single molecule.

This strategy aims to orchestrate a more powerful and coordinated attack against tumors by modulating both the innate and adaptive immune systems. The company's pipeline showcases this advanced approach:

• HCB101: A flagship candidate described as a 3.5th-generation SIRPα drug. This affinity-optimized SIRPα-Fc fusion protein targets the CD47-"don't eat me" signal on cancer cells. Unlike first-generation anti-CD47 therapies that often cause significant anemia and other blood-related toxicities, HCB101 is engineered for a superior safety profile, specifically designed to minimize binding to red blood cells. Currently in Phase 1b/2a clinical trials in the U.S. and China, HCB101 has already shown preliminary signs of anti-tumor activity in patients with advanced solid tumors and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

• HCB301 and HCB303: These candidates represent an even greater leap in complexity and potential efficacy. They are tri-functional biologics, a class of molecules that remains rare in the global drug development landscape. HCB301, for instance, is engineered to concurrently block the CD47-SIRPα and PD-1 pathways while also suppressing the immunosuppressive TGF-β signal. This three-in-one mechanism is intended to activate macrophages, reinvigorate exhausted T-cells, and remodel the tumor microenvironment to make it more susceptible to an immune assault. HCB303 follows a similar multi-targeting principle and is advancing through late-stage preclinical development.

By pursuing these multi-functional assets, HanchorBio is positioning itself at the forefront of immuno-oncology innovation, tackling the core mechanisms of tumor immune evasion with a level of sophistication that single-target drugs cannot match.

A Strategic Blueprint for Biotech Growth

For a clinical-stage company like HanchorBio, translating such sophisticated scientific concepts into manufacturable, clinical-grade medicines is a monumental task fraught with technical and financial hurdles. The decision to partner with a Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) like WuXi Biologics represents a widely adopted and highly effective strategic playbook for emerging biotechs.

This collaboration allows HanchorBio to achieve several critical objectives simultaneously. It provides immediate access to world-class manufacturing infrastructure without the immense capital expenditure and time required to build it in-house. This capital efficiency is paramount for a biotech firm focused on deploying its resources toward discovery and clinical research. Furthermore, it de-risks the complex Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) process by entrusting it to a partner with a proven track record.

Scott Liu, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of HanchorBio, emphasized the strategic importance of the alliance. "This partnership with WuXi Biologics strengthens our ability to translate platform-driven innovation into high-quality clinical and commercial assets," he stated. "As we advance multiple next-generation fusion protein programs, execution speed, manufacturing reliability, and scalability are critical. WuXi Biologics' proven expertise in complex biologics and global development makes them a strong strategic partner as we build a differentiated, multi-asset immunotherapy pipeline."

The CRDMO Powerhouse Enabling Complex Biologics

The partnership also underscores the indispensable role of specialized CRDMOs in the modern biopharmaceutical ecosystem. As therapeutic modalities grow more complex, moving beyond simple monoclonal antibodies to bi-specifics, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and multi-functional fusion proteins, the technical expertise required for development and manufacturing has become highly specialized.

WuXi Biologics has established itself as a global leader in this domain. As of 2025, the company was supporting 945 client projects, with approximately 60% involving these advanced, complex biologics. Its integrated technology platforms, such as the WuXia™ cell line platform and WuXiHigh™ formulation platform, are designed to accelerate timelines while ensuring quality and scalability. With a global network of facilities across Asia, Europe, and North America, including an EMA-authorized site in Ireland, WuXi Biologics offers the global reach necessary for late-stage clinical trials and commercial supply.

Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, commented on the collaboration, saying, "We are excited to embark on this collaboration with HanchorBio, which underscores the strong trust they placed in WuXi Biologics' comprehensive, end-to-end capabilities for developing next-generation biologics, especially complex molecules." He added, "By leveraging our industry-leading technology platforms, proven expertise, and unwavering commitment to quality, we strive to accelerate the development of HanchorBio's innovative bi-/multi fusion proteins and help bring transformative therapies to patients worldwide."

This alliance is not merely a transactional service agreement but a strategic alignment of HanchorBio’s innovation with WuXi Biologics' industrial-scale execution. It provides HanchorBio a clear and robust path forward, enabling it to focus on its core competency—designing novel therapeutics—while ensuring its creations can be reliably produced at the scale and quality required to make a global impact. In a fiercely competitive field, this ability to execute efficiently can be as decisive as the initial scientific breakthrough.