Introduction:
Viela Bio, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, engages in the research and development of treatments for severe inflammation and autoimmune diseases in the United States. The company's lead product candidate is inebilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder; and which is in Phase III trials for patients with myasthenia gravis and IgG4-related diseases, as well as in Phase II trial for kidney transplant desensitization. It is also developing VIB4920 that is in Phase II trial for kidney transplantation rejection and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as in Phase IIb trial for sjögren's syndrome; and VIB7734, which is in Phase Ib trial for cutaneous lupus erythematosus, in Phase I trial for COVID-19-related acute lung injury, and a planned Phase II tria for systemic lupus erythematosus. The company's pre-clinical research and development product candidates include VIB1116 to decrease the number and function of antigen-presenting dendritic cells; and a mAb cytokine fusion protein to inhibit inflammatory responses. Viela Bio, Inc. has a strategic collaboration with Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Company Limited and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation to develop and commercialize inebilizumab for autoimmune diseases in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland.