Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. announced that it entered into an exclusive global license agreement with U-mab Biopharma (Lianyungang) for the rights to a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting Interleukin-1 Receptor Accessory Protein (IL-1RAP), holding best-in-class(BIC) potential.¹

The licensing agreement was revealed during the 2026 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference where Dr. Jason Zhu, executive director and chief executive officer of Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. delivered his keynote presentation outlining Henlius' "Globalization 2.0" strategy, plans to diversife its innovation pipeline, and the company’s mid-to-long-term development blueprint.²

"With multiple products approved successively in Europe and the United States, and an increasingly mature integrated global operating model, our international business has maintained strong growth momentum. Leveraging our integrated R&D, regulatory and manufacturing capabilities, together with an increasingly mature global clinical and commercialization network, we have established a systematic capacity to continuously deliver innovative assets worldwide,” said Dr. Zhu.

What is the Anti-IL-1RAP mAb?

The anti-IL-1RAP monoclonal antibody was developed by U-mab using its high-efficiency antibody discovery platform and is a long-acting, multi-pathway inhibitory agent, with U-mab currently possessing full intellectual property rights.¹

According to preliminary drugability evaluation data, the anti-IL-1RAP mAb exhibits excellent efficacy spanning several animal models, including in spontaneous disease models, with pharmacokinetic studies in animals demonstrating an extended half-life and supporting a less frequent dosing regimen in the clinic, which can potentially achieve the umet needs of autoimmune patients for higher efficacy and better compliance.¹

The IL-1 cytokine family and its signaling pathways are a principal mediator in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, with current therapeutic approaches predominantly targeting individual downstream cytokines within this pathway, resulting in limited clinical efficacy.¹

IL-1RAP, is a key shared co-receptor in the IL-1 receptor family and represents a novel upstream target.¹ Through inhibiting IL-1RAP, it can simultaneously block signals from multiple inflammatory pathways, including IL-1, IL-33, and IL-36, resulting in the activation of more comprehensive regulations of the inflammatory cascade at its source, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases with significant unmet medical needs.¹

As of January 19, 2026, no IL-1RAP-targeting therapies have received regulatory approvals worldwide.¹

Why did Henlius want the Anti-IL-1RAP mAb?

As mentioned in Dr. Zhu’s presentation at this year’s J.P. Morgan conference, Henlius is building a diverse and integrated product pipeline centered on oncology with expected expansions into autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.¹

The company has begun commercialization efforts for several products, including rituximab and adalimumab, enabling a rapid entry into autoimmune markets including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.¹

In order to expand its efforts, Henlius is also advancing a series of innovative candidates, such as the novel GARP/TGF‑β1 mAb HLX6018 and the human sialidase fusion protein HLX79, alongside other early-stage molecules to expand its pipeline combining broad therapeutic reaches with focused modality expertise.¹

The license agreement with U-mab builds upon Henlius’ core expertise in tumor immunotherapy and also marks an expansion of Henlius’ efforts into immune-inflammatory diseases.

“Over the next five years, stable cash flows from our biosimilar portfolio will further support innovation investment, enabling the advancement of more differentiated molecules, including ADCs, multi-Abs and TCEs, into global markets and building a sustainable, replicable globalization growth model," said Dr. Zhu

Sources

1. Henlius Strengthens Autoimmune-Inflammation Portfolio by In-Licensing a Novel, Best-in-Class Potential Anti-IL-1RAP mAb Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc January 14, 2026 https://www.henlius.com/en/NewsDetails-5717-26.html
2. Henlius Showcases "Globalisation 2.0" Strategy and Mid-to-Long-Term Innovation Blueprint at JPM 2026 Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc Janurary 16, 2026 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/henlius-showcases-globalisation-2-0-strategy-and-mid-to-long-term-innovation-blueprint-at-jpm-2026--302663316.html