Chemomab and Scipher merge to form Scipher Medicine Corporation (Nasdaq: SCIP), advancing nebokitug, a first-in-class anti-CCL24 antibody, into AI-guided Phase 2 rheumatoid arthritis trials with topline data expected in 2028
Written By: Fariha Sameen, PharmD
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Chemomab Therapeutics and Scipher Medicine have signed a definitive merger agreement that will create a precision medicine-focused biotechnology company centered on advancing nebokitug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Following the transaction, the combined company will operate as Scipher Medicine Corporation and trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol SCIP. Supported by a concurrent $30 million private financing, the company expects to initiate a Phase 2 trial of nebokitug in RA, with topline data anticipated in the first half of 2028.
Merger Brings Together AI Precision Medicine and First-in-Class Anti-CCL24 Therapy
Nebokitug is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that neutralizes the chemokine CCL24, a signaling protein implicated in both inflammation and fibrosis. Unlike many existing RA therapies that primarily target inflammatory pathways, CCL24 inhibition may address inflammatory and fibrotic mechanisms simultaneously. Scipher’s AI Network Medicine platform independently ranked CCL24 among the highest-priority therapeutic targets in RA and identified a molecular response signature intended to help select patients most likely to benefit from treatment. The planned trial will incorporate the company’s PrismRA® multi-omic precision medicine test to guide patient enrollment.
Persistent Unmet Need in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 20 million people worldwide, including approximately 1.3 million individuals in the United States. Although multiple disease-modifying therapies are available, many patients fail to achieve sustained disease control, and therapeutic innovation has slowed, with no novel FDA-approved mechanism introduced since 2012. Current leading treatment classes also carry boxed safety warnings, highlighting the need for new therapeutic approaches.
Phase 2 Trial to Use AI-Guided Patient Selection
The planned Phase 2 study will evaluate nebokitug in patients with RA using standard 12-week FDA efficacy endpoints while applying AI-enabled precision medicine to enrich enrollment. Nebokitug previously demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile across five clinical trials. In the Phase 2 SPRING study in primary sclerosing cholangitis, the antibody met its primary safety endpoint and showed improvements across multiple immune- and fibrosis-related biomarkers, including dose-dependent reductions in pathways relevant to RA. Preclinical and translational studies have also linked elevated CCL24 expression with greater RA disease severity and treatment resistance.
Executives Highlight Scientific and Strategic Rationale
Scipher Chief Executive Officer Dr. Reginald Seeto said the merger combines an established precision medicine platform with a therapeutic candidate supported by both clinical evidence and AI-based target validation. He noted that integrating PrismRA® into the Phase 2 study could improve the probability of clinical success by identifying patients most likely to respond to treatment.
Chemomab Chief Executive Officer Dr. Adi Mor said the transaction expands nebokitug’s development beyond fibrotic diseases into a large immunology indication while preserving opportunities to pursue future partnerships, including potential Phase 3 development in primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Transaction Expected to Close in Fourth Quarter of 2026
The combined company is valued at approximately $150 million before the private financing. Under the merger terms, existing Scipher shareholders are expected to own about 68% of the combined company, while Chemomab shareholders will hold roughly 32% and receive contingent value rights tied to future nebokitug milestones. Subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, providing funding through the second half of 2028 and positioning the company to advance precision medicine development in autoimmune disease.
Reference
About the Writer
Fariha Sameen, PharmD (LinkedIn), is a clinical pharmacy professional with hands-on experience in patient counselling, medication review, therapeutic monitoring, and clinical documentation across multiple departments. She has experience identifying and assessing drug-related problems and supporting medication safety practices. Her interests include pharmacovigilance, ADR reporting, clinical research, and medical writing focused on clear, evidence-based communication.