Catalyst Biosciences, Inc. and Isu Abxis announced the companies have formed a strategic collaboration to develop Catalyst's next-generation Factor IX development candidate FIX-NG (CB 2679d) for the prevention and treatment of bleeding in hemophilia B patients. The collaboration will advance FIX-NG through IND-enabling preclinical studies, manufacturing and the completion of Phase 1 clinical studies designed to establish proof-of-mechanism for the molecule in hemophilia B patients. Under the terms of the collaboration, Isu Abxis will use its biologics manufacturing and development expertise to advance FIX-NG through preclinical and Phase 1 studies and Catalyst and Isu will collaborate and share in profits on the development and commercialization of FIX-NG worldwide.

Isu will pay Catalyst an upfront licensing fee and milestone payments through the end of the Phase 1 clinical trial and holds an option to exclusively commercialize FIX-NG in Korea. Catalyst retains development and commercial ownership rights of the program outside of Korea.