A new, still-in-stealth biotech is paying eight figures to acquire the rights to an experimental I&I drug out of China.
Vignette Bio — a company backed by Foresite Capital and Samsara BioCapital, and whose website is still private — is shelling out $60 million upfront to license the program from EpimAb Biotherapeutics outside of China, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan, the duo announced Wednesday. There is an additional $575 million in biobucks included in the deal.
The program in question is called EMB-06, a BCMA-targeting T cell engager that binds to CD3, according to a press release. Vignette intends to develop it and other programs for autoimmune diseases, Foresite managing director Michael Rome said in the release.
Chengbin WuEpimAb CEO Chengbin Wu also added that EMB-06 has been tested for multiple myeloma.
Foresite and Samsara did not immediately return Endpoints News’ requests for comment. Little else is known about Vignette Bio: The press release says it was founded in 2024 “to address immunology and inflammation associated diseases” and its website only reads, “Coming soon.”
In addition to Foresite and Samsara, Vignette was also backed by Qiming Venture Partners USA and Mirae Asset Capital Life Science. Mirae launched in January with $50 million for its first fund.
Immunology-focused biotechs have been very active this year, with companies like Mirador and AltruBio netting $400 million and $225 million funding rounds, respectively. A Paragon Therapeutics spinout also agreed to a reverse merger that included $275 million in private financing, while Blackstone helped launch Uniquity Bio with $300 million.
Foresite and Samsara have also been part of the movement, teaming up earlier this year on a $259 million Series C for Alumis (previously Esker Therapeutics). The company went public shortly afterward. In June, Foresite also closed a $900 million life sciences fund, one of the largest biotech funds this year.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include the names of additional investors in Vignette.