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Zenas BioPharma Licenses InnoCare’s Orelabrutinib in Autoimmune Deal Topping $2 Billion

Phase 3 testing in progressive multiple sclerosis is underway as Zenas prepares a second study in early 2026.

Overview

  • Zenas will pay up to $100 million in upfront and near‑term cash and issue up to 7 million shares, with total potential milestones and royalties across the programs exceeding $2 billion.
  • A global Phase 3 trial of orelabrutinib in primary progressive multiple sclerosis has started, and a second global Phase 3 in secondary progressive disease is slated to begin early next year.
  • The license grants Zenas exclusive rights to develop and commercialize orelabrutinib for multiple sclerosis and other non‑oncology uses outside Greater China and Southeast Asia, while InnoCare retains oncology rights.
  • Zenas also obtained two oral autoimmune candidates—a selective IL‑17AA/AF inhibitor and a brain‑penetrant TYK2 inhibitor—that are expected to enter Phase 1 testing in 2026.
  • The company raised about $120 million in a private placement, guiding cash runway into the fourth quarter of 2026 and potentially into early 2027 assuming a $75 million milestone from Royalty Pharma.