SIHUAN PHARM (00460) announced that the group has formally entered into a collaboration agreement with U.S. biotech firm AbaloneBio (Abalone). Under the agreement, the two parties will collaborate globally to advance the development of next-generation innovative therapeutics for obesity treatment. The core objective of this R&D initiative is to safely and effectively enhance energy expenditure by targeting metabolic-related G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), while maintaining or increasing muscle mass. This aims to address the limitations of current weight-loss therapies, fulfill unmet clinical needs in the global obesity treatment market, and drive optimization and upgrades in therapeutic solutions. GPCRs belong to a vast and dynamic family of membrane proteins, requiring highly precise regulation of structural changes for activity modulation. Consequently, the development of agonist antibodies targeting such receptors has long been recognized as a technical challenge in the pharmaceutical industry. Leveraging its proprietary functional antibody screening platform, Abalone specializes in overcoming the regulatory challenges of difficult-to-drug membrane proteins (particularly GPCRs). The company possesses the capability to measure antibody functional activity data at scale and utilizes AI technology for agonist antibody discovery and design, demonstrating a clear technical roadmap and core competencies. The collaboration will strictly adhere to the principle of "complementary strengths and joint advancement": Abalone will contribute its core technology and platform expertise in GPCR antibody discovery, while SIHUAN PHARM will leverage its R&D experience in metabolic diseases, end-to-end industrial resources, and established business infrastructure in Greater China. This joint effort aims to accelerate project efficiency, mitigate R&D risks, and ensure compliance and feasibility from development to subsequent commercialization. The partnership builds on prior groundwork—SIHUAN PHARM completed a strategic investment in Abalone earlier this year. The signing of this agreement marks an expansion of collaboration from capital ties to operational execution, further solidifying the group’s innovative positioning in the weight-loss sector. By leveraging Abalone’s technological edge, SIHUAN PHARM aims to expedite the development of next-generation weight-loss and muscle-building therapies, supporting its long-term strategic growth. Additionally, this collaboration represents a key step in deepening the group’s GPCR target portfolio. Prior to this, SIHUAN PHARM participated in an investment in UK-based DJS Antibodies, a company focused on developing GPCR-targeting antibodies using its proprietary platform. DJS’s technological value and R&D capabilities have gained industry recognition, culminating in its acquisition by AbbVie for $255 million in cash in 2022. This investment experience also provides reference points for SIHUAN PHARM’s continued expansion in the GPCR field.