Biond Biologics and Guangzhou-Israel Biotechnology Fund invest $8 M to advance oncology programmes in China

Biond Biologics, a private clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class immunotherapies for cancer and immune-mediated diseases, and the Guangzhou-Israel Biotechnology Fund (GIBF), a leading life science investment fund, have announced a strategic $8 million investment together with the formation of a China-based joint venture to advance Biond’s innovative oncology pipeline.

The newly established joint venture will focus on accelerating the development of Biond’s lead programmes, including BND-67, a first-in-class therapy targeting CD28 shedding, as well as BND-22, a Phase 2 anti-ILT2 antibody and additional pipeline assets.

The collaboration is designed to leverage Biond’s differentiated oncology science together with GIBF’s deep expertise in the Chinese biotechnology ecosystem, including clinical development, regulatory strategy, and local collaborations.

Through this partnership, Biond and GIBF aim to accelerate clinical execution, expand combination strategies, and maximise the value of Biond’s pipeline within the Chinese market.

BND-22 is a Phase 2 anti-ILT2 checkpoint inhibitor designed to restore anti-tumour immunity by targeting the ILT2–HLA-G axis. BND-22 has demonstrated efficacy in heavily treated cancer patients in indications that hardly respond to Immuno-Oncology (IO) therapies, such as Microsatellite Stable (MSS) colorectal cancer, and is currently being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 2 study at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

BND-67 is Biond’s next-generation immunotherapy and a first-in-class asset targeting CD28 shedding, a novel immune evasion mechanism with the potential to redefine T-cell modulation in cancer. Given the central role of CD28 in T-cell activation, BND-67 introduces a fundamentally new approach to restoring immune responsiveness. By preserving CD28 signaling, it enhances effector T-cell activity while selectively inhibiting regulatory T-cell function, driving a potent and sustained anti-tumour response. The programme is IND-ready, with a Phase 1 trial planned for Q2 2026.