LEADS BIOLABS-B (09887) has announced that Oblenio Bio, Inc. (NewCo) has officially exercised its option to retain the exclusive license for LBL-051, marking a significant step forward in their collaboration.

The announcement follows the completion of NewCo's Series B financing and the dosing of the first patients in the Phase Ia first-in-human clinical trial of LBL-051 in Europe. On November 5, 2024, the company entered into a collaboration, exclusive option, and license agreement with NewCo, a U.S.-based entity founded by Aditum Bio. Under the terms of this agreement, the company granted NewCo an exclusive global license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize LBL-051, with NewCo holding the right to exercise its option to retain the license after the applicable option period.

On August 19, 2026, the company's subsidiary, Leads Biolabs Inc. (Leads US), received written notice from NewCo confirming the exercise of this option. In accordance with the agreement, NewCo is required to make a one-time, non-refundable, and non-creditable payment of $10 million to Leads US upon exercising the option.

This milestone underscores the progress of the partnership and lays a solid foundation for the continued global clinical development and commercialization of LBL-051. More importantly, it reflects growing market confidence in the sustained clinical advancements of the company's TCE platform within the critical therapeutic area of autoimmune diseases.