Everest Medicines Expands Strategic Investment in I-MAB

Rhea-AI Summary

Everest Medicines has announced a strategic US$30.9 million equity investment in I-Mab (NASDAQ: IMAB), which will result in a 16.1% ownership stake. The investment is part of I-Mab's broader US$65 million underwritten offering of American Depositary Shares at $1.95 per ADS.

The investment strengthens the partnership between both companies, leveraging I-Mab's promising oncology pipeline, including givastomig, which showed an impressive 83% overall response rate in Phase 1b trials for first-line gastric cancer. The collaboration aims to combine Everest's mRNA cancer vaccines and CAR-T platform with I-Mab's 4-1BB bispecific antibody pipeline, while utilizing their complementary clinical development capabilities in Asia and the U.S.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Significant cash investment of US$30.9 million in a volatile biotech market
• Mark-to-market changes could affect comprehensive income through equity valuation

- Everest will invest US$30.9 million (equivalent to approximately HK$242.6 million) in cash in I-Mab. Inclusive of I-MAB shares already held by Everest, the pro forma ownership will be 16.1%.

- I-Mab's Claudin 18.2 x 4-1BB bispecific antibody, givastomig, demonstrated an impressive overall response rate (ORR) of 83% in combination with immunotherapy in a Phase 1b trial of first line gastric cancers.

- I-Mab's differentiated 4-1BB receptor targeting platform and bispecific antibody pipeline are highly complementary with the Company's existing mRNA cancer vaccines and in vivo CAR-T platform.

- Complementary and synergistic clinical development and business development platforms, especially I-Mab's unique clinical translational capabilities, particularly in the U.S., and Everest's clinical capabilities in Asia, could help accelerate the development and global expansion of pipeline products for both companies.

-  New investors in this offering also include Janus Henderson Investors, Adage Capital Partners LP, Woodline Partners, and Exome Asset Management

SHANGHAI, Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Everest Medicines (HKEX 1952.HK, "Everest", or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization of innovative therapeutics, today announced that it has made a strategic equity investment in I-Mab, (''I-Mab''), a company listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (''Nasdaq'') trading under the symbol ''IMAB".

"This strategic equity investment furthers our plan to be an active player in next-generation oncology programs across global markets. Everest and its Board of Directors believe this investment recognizes I-Mab's unique clinical translational capabilities in the U.S., which are complementary and synergistic with the Company's strong Asia presence," said Rogers Yongqing Luo, Chief Executive Officer of Everest Medicines. "As a biotech pioneer in China, Everest has built internally developed pipeline assets including mRNA therapeutic cancer vaccines and in vivo CAR-T therapies targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases. Our areas of focus meaningfully intersect with I-Mab's differentiated 4-1BB platform and bispecific antibody pipeline, including oncology candidates Givastomig (Claudin 18.2 x 4-1BB bispecific antibody) and Ragistomig (PD-L1 x 4-1BB bispecific antibody), both promising programs that we are closely watching. Furthermore, both companies may be able to leverage their combined expertise to run clinical programs in both China and the U.S. Everest is proud to develop innovative and valuable therapies that can benefit cancer patients globally."

Financial Terms and Corporate Updates:

I-Mab today announced an underwritten offering of 33,333,334 American Depositary Shares (the "ADSs") representing 76,666,668 ordinary shares at an offering price of $1.95 per ADS, for total gross proceeds of approximately US$65 million. Under the arrangement of this offering, Everest will subscribe for 15,846,154 ADSs (the "Subscription"), with an aggregate consideration of US$30.9 million. Upon completion of the Subscription, the Company shall hold an aggregate of 15,846,154 ADSs and 6,078,571 ordinary shares, representing approximately 16.1% of the total issued share capital of I-Mab, inclusive of 6,078,571 ordinary shares already held by Everest.

As all of the applicable percentage ratios of the Subscription are less than 5%, the Subscription is not subject to the announcement or shareholders' approval requirements under Chapter 14 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

The investment in I-Mab shares is expected to be booked as "investments" under non-current assets on Everest's balance sheet. Changes from "mark-to-market" are expected to be reflected in fair value through other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity and the investment has no impact on the Company's P/L statement and will not appear as an operating expense.

I-Mab is a U.S.-based, global biotech company, focused on the development of precision immuno-oncology agents for the treatment of cancer. There are three pipeline products of I-Mab in clinical stage, Givastomig (Claudin 18.2 x 4-1BB bispecific antibody), Ragistomig (PD-L1 x 4-1BB bispecific antibody) and Uliledlimab (CD73 antibody).

I-Mab recently presented positive Phase 1b dose escalation results for givastomig in combination with immunotherapy in first line gastric cancer (ORR of 83%) at the ESMO GI 2025 conference which are summarized here.

About Everest Medicines

Everest Medicines is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing and commercializing transformative pharmaceutical products and vaccines that address critical unmet medical needs for patients in Asian markets. The management team of Everest Medicines has deep expertise and an extensive track record from both leading global pharmaceutical companies and local Chinese pharmaceutical companies in high-quality discovery, clinical development, regulatory affairs, CMC, business development and operations. Everest Medicines has built a portfolio of potentially global first-in-class or best-in-class molecules in the company's core therapeutic areas of renal diseases, infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders.

For more information, please visit its website at www.everestmedicines.com.

About I-Mab

I-Mab (NASDAQ: IMAB) is a U.S.-based, global biotech company, focused on the development of precision immuno-oncology agents for the treatment of cancer. The Company's differentiated pipeline is led by givastomig, a potential best-in-class, bispecific antibody (Claudin 18.2 x 4-1BB) designed to treat Claudin 18.2-positive gastric cancers. Givastomig conditionally activates T cells via the 4-1BB signaling pathway in the tumor microenvironment where Claudin 18.2 is expressed. Givastomig is being developed for first line metastatic gastric cancers, with additional potential in other solid tumors. In ongoing Phase 1 trials, givastomig has been observed to maintain strong tumor-binding and anti-tumor activity, attributable to a potential synergistic effect of proximal interaction with Claudin 18.2 and 4-1BB, while minimizing toxicities commonly seen with other 4-1BB agents.

For more information, please visit www.i-mabbiopharma.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release may make statements that constitute forward-looking statements, including descriptions regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company or its officers with respect to the business operations and financial condition of the Company, which can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, or other factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Company and are unforeseeable. Therefore, the actual results may differ from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and assumptions, such as future changes and developments in our business, competitive environment, political, economic, legal and social conditions. The Company or any of its affiliates, directors, officers, advisors or representatives has no obligation and does not undertake to revise forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

 

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SOURCE Everest Medicines

FAQ

What is the size of Everest Medicines' investment in I-Mab (IMAB)?

Everest Medicines is investing US$30.9 million (HK$242.6 million) to acquire 15,846,154 ADSs of I-Mab, resulting in a 16.1% ownership stake when combined with previously held shares.

What were the Phase 1b trial results for I-Mab's givastomig in gastric cancer?

Givastomig demonstrated an impressive 83% overall response rate (ORR) in combination with immunotherapy in Phase 1b trials for first-line gastric cancer treatment.

How will the I-Mab investment affect Everest Medicines' financial statements?

The investment will be recorded as 'investments' under non-current assets, with mark-to-market changes reflected in fair value through other comprehensive income. It will not impact the P&L statement or appear as an operating expense.

Who are the other investors participating in I-Mab's offering?

Besides Everest Medicines, the offering includes notable investors such as Janus Henderson Investors, Adage Capital Partners LP, Woodline Partners, and Exome Asset Management.

What are the strategic benefits of Everest's investment in I-Mab?

The investment combines Everest's mRNA cancer vaccines and CAR-T platform with I-Mab's 4-1BB bispecific antibody pipeline, while leveraging complementary clinical development capabilities in Asia and the U.S.