Simcere and Boehringer Ingelheim sign a global licensing deal to develop SIM0709, a preclinical TL1A/IL-23 bispecific antibody for inflammatory bowel disease, with milestones up to EUR 1.058 billion.
Written By: Pharmacally Medical News Desk
Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. and Boehringer Ingelheim have announced a license and collaboration agreement to jointly develop SIM0709, a pre-clinical TL1A/IL-23p19 bispecific antibody for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
IBD affects more than three million people globally and remains a lifelong, progressive condition often leading to frequent hospitalizations, surgeries, and reduced quality of life. Despite existing anti-inflammatory therapies, many patients continue to experience disease progression, highlighting the need for more effective treatment options.
SIM0709 is a long-acting humanized bispecific antibody engineered using Simcere’s proprietary multi-specific antibody platform. It targets both TL1A and IL-23, blocking two central inflammatory pathways involved in the onset and progression of IBD.
In preclinical studies, including in vitro primary cell experiments and in vivo animal models, SIM0709 demonstrated synergistic efficacy and was reported to outperform the combination of the two corresponding monotherapies.
Carine Boustany, US Innovation Unit Site Head and Global Head of Immunology and Respiratory Diseases at Boehringer Ingelheim, stated that many IBD patients continue to face severe complications despite currently available therapies, and expressed optimism that the partnership could accelerate SIM0709 as a potential life-changing option.
Gaobo Zhou, Chief Investment Officer at Simcere, highlighted the first-in-class potential of SIM0709 and noted that Boehringer Ingelheim’s deep immunology expertise will support rigorous global development aimed at improving outcomes for patients worldwide.
Under the terms of the agreement, Boehringer Ingelheim receives global rights to SIM0709 outside Greater China. Simcere is eligible for an upfront payment, along with development, regulatory, and sales milestones of up to EUR 1.058 billion, plus royalties on net sales outside the region.
The deal represents Simcere’s second out-licensing transaction in the autoimmune field. As of January 2026, the company has completed five out-licensing agreements for self-developed novel drug technologies, with a total potential transaction value of approximately $4.6 billion.
Reference
Boehringer Ingelheim and Simcere partner to advance a dual-target antibody treatment to address unmet needs in inflammatory bowel disease, 27 January 2026, Simcere