Ono and Mediar Partner to Develop Novel Antibody Therapies for Fibrosis

Ono Pharmaceutical has signed a collaboration and option agreement with clinical-stage biotechnology company Mediar Therapeutics to develop novel antibody therapeutics for fibro-inflammatory diseases characterized by excessive scarring, chronic inflammation, and tissue remodeling. The collaboration expands efforts to address fibrosis, a major cause of progressive organ dysfunction across multiple diseases where treatment options remain limited.

Under the agreement, Ono will work with Mediar to identify and develop antibody-based therapies using the company’s fibrosis discovery platform and expertise in myofibroblast biology. Ono receives an exclusive option to license worldwide development and commercialization rights for the partnered programs. Mediar will receive an upfront payment, while Ono will fund research and development activities under the collaboration. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Targeting Myofibroblasts to Treat Fibrosis

Fibrosis develops when activated myofibroblasts produce excessive extracellular matrix proteins, leading to irreversible scar tissue formation and progressive loss of organ function. This process contributes to diseases affecting the lungs, kidneys, skin, heart, and other organs, yet few therapies directly target the underlying biology responsible for fibrotic progression.

The collaboration focuses on discovering antibody therapeutics that interrupt pathways driving myofibroblast activation. Mediar’s discovery platform combines antibody engineering with insights into fibrosis biology, while Ono contributes expertise in immunology and inflammatory disease research. Together, the companies aim to develop multimodal biologic therapies capable of modifying disease progression across multiple fibro-inflammatory conditions.

 Strategic Collaboration Builds on Existing Relationship

Rahul Ballal, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Mediar Therapeutics, said the agreement reflects increasing industry recognition that directly targeting myofibroblasts could open new therapeutic opportunities in fibrotic diseases. He added that the collaboration builds on a longstanding relationship with Ono Venture Investment, which has supported Mediar since becoming an investor in 2021.

Seishi Katsumata, Corporate Officer and Executive Vice President of Discovery & Research at Ono Pharmaceutical, said fibro-inflammatory diseases continue to represent a significant unmet medical need. He noted that combining Mediar’s expertise in fibrosis biology and antibody discovery with Ono’s immunology capabilities could generate new treatment options for patients.

Mediar Continues to Advance Three Clinical Programs

Mediar’s broader fibrosis pipeline includes three clinical-stage antibody programs: MTX-474 in Phase 2 for systemic sclerosis, MTX-463 in Phase 2 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in collaboration with Eli Lilly, and MTX-439 in Phase 1 for kidney fibrosis. While these assets are not part of the announced collaboration, they demonstrate the company’s broader strategy of developing first-in-class antibody therapies targeting key fibrotic pathways.

Path Forward

The collaboration provides Ono with access to Mediar’s fibrosis discovery platform while strengthening Mediar’s ability to expand its antibody pipeline beyond its existing clinical programs. As fibrosis remains a major contributor to chronic organ failure across multiple diseases, successful development of therapies that directly inhibit myofibroblast activity could offer a new treatment approach where current options primarily slow disease progression rather than reverse tissue damage.

 Reference

Mediar_Ono-Collab-Release_FINAL.pdf

Ono Pharma Enters into a Drug Discovery Partnership with Mediar Therapeutics to Create Novel Antibody Therapeutics for Fibro-inflammatory Diseases | ONO CORPORATE