These collaborations will allow I-Mab to access platforms to create next-generation drug candidates, including cell penetrating alphabodies (CPAB) for otherwise intractable, intracellular drug targets and masked antibodies for targeted tumor-site activation.

Complix's Alphabody platform is used to develop "membrane crossing" therapeutics. These alphabodies have the potential to cross the blood-brain barrier to address central nervous system diseases and (when delivered orally) have the ability to cross the gut wall.

Affinity has developed its tumor microenvironment-activated (TMEA) platform for the development of TMEA drugs that solve the on-target toxicity of antitumor drugs. The platform allows selective unleashing of the drug in the tumor microenvironment locally; reduces "on target, off tumor toxicity;" and improves the therapeutic index of many types of drug candidates.

The new assets will complement I-Mab's existing clinical programs of monoclonal and bispecific antibodies that are advancing toward late-stage clinical development and biologics license application, the company said.