By Connor Hart

Q32 Bio said it sold the lead product candidate from its tissue-targeted complement inhibitor platform to Akebia Therapeutics.

The Waltham, Mass., biotech company said Monday it will receive $12 million in upfront payments and a near-term milestone. Q32 Bio said it will be eligible to receive a total of up to $592 million, pending the achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones, in addition to tiered royalties of up to a mid-teen percent of annual net sales.

The transaction will strengthen the company's cash position, extending its runway into the second half of 2027, while also enabling it to focus on the advancement of bempikibart, its treatment for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, Q32 Bio said.

Shares of Q32 jumped 78% in premarket trading, to $3.90, while Akebia's stock was roughly flat.

Akebia said the product candidate, AKB-097, is believed to have applicability across a wide range of complement-mediated rare kidney diseases.

"While our commercial and medical teams continue to build on the momentum of our Vafseo launch, we are excited to take an important step forward as a company with the establishment of our rare kidney disease development pipeline," Akebia Chief Executive John Butler said.

Write to Connor Hart at connor.hart@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 01, 2025 07:46 ET (12:46 GMT)

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