Q32 Bio Sells Complement Inhibitor ADX-097

Rhea-AI Summary

Q32 Bio (NASDAQ:QTTB) sold its Phase 2 complement inhibitor ADX-097 to Akebia Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AKBA) for $12 million in upfront and near-term payments and is eligible for up to $592 million in total milestone payments plus tiered royalties.

Q32 received $7M at signing, $3M at six months, and $2M by end of 2026 or upon an earlier milestone. The company says proceeds and existing cash are expected to extend its runway into the second half of 2027 while it advances bempikibart and SIGNAL-AA Part B topline data is on track for mid-2026. Q32 retains its tissue-targeted complement platform, including ADX-096, and is evaluating strategic options for remaining programs.

Positive

• Upfront and near-term cash of $12 million
• Deal provides runway into the second half of 2027
• Eligibility for up to $592 million in milestone payments
• Q32 retains tissue-targeted platform including ADX-096

Negative

• Sold Phase 2 asset ADX-097, reducing Q32's late-stage pipeline
• Majority of $592 million is contingent on development, regulatory, commercial milestones

Key Figures

Upfront & near-term payments $12 million Cash consideration to Q32 Bio from ADX-097 sale

Total potential milestones $592 million Development, regulatory and commercial milestones including upfronts

Payment at signing $7 million Portion of upfront and near-term consideration

6‑month payment $3 million Due at 6‑month anniversary of signing

Additional milestone or 2026 payment $2 million Payable upon milestone or by end of 2026

Royalty range Low single-digit to mid-teen % Tiered royalties on potential future ADX-097 sales

Development stage Phase 2 ADX-097 development stage at time of sale

Cash runway guidance Into 2H 2027 Q32 Bio operations funded with deal proceeds

Market Reality Check

$2.96 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,494,918 vs 20-day average 4,106,782 (relative volume 0.61), indicating quieter trading ahead of the news. low

Technical Shares at $1.66 are trading below the 200-day MA of $2.71 and about 59.3% under the 52-week high of $4.0787.

Peers on Argus

Peers in Specialty & Generic drug makers showed mixed but mostly positive moves, with AQST up 1.44%, ORGO up 1.06%, SIGA up 3.49%, ESPR up 6.25%, and DVAX down 0.82%, suggesting company-specific drivers for AKBA rather than a unified sector move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 01	Inducement grants	Neutral	-2.6%	Small stock option inducement awards for two new employees.
Dec 01	Pipeline expansion	Positive	-4.4%	Established rare kidney pipeline including AKB-097 and praliciguat.
Nov 24	Conference appearance	Neutral	+2.6%	Participation in Piper Sandler healthcare conference fireside chat.
Nov 10	Q3 2025 earnings	Positive	-18.1%	Higher revenues, Vafseo launch, and return to quarterly profitability.
Nov 06	Clinical data update	Positive	-5.2%	Post‑hoc INNO2VATE analysis showed favorable mortality and hospitalization.

Pattern Detected

Recent history shows several instances where positive clinical or business updates, including Q3 earnings and kidney pipeline expansion, were followed by negative price reactions, while neutral items like conferences or small inducement grants saw relatively modest moves.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Akebia has focused on expanding and refining its kidney disease portfolio, while advancing Vafseo in dialysis-dependent CKD. A Q3 2025 earnings report showed revenue growing to $58.8M and a small profit, yet the stock fell. A post‑hoc INNO2VATE analysis reported statistically more favorable outcomes for vadadustat but was also followed by a decline. The rare kidney disease pipeline announcement on Dec 1, 2025 similarly coincided with a negative move, highlighting a pattern of cautious market responses to news.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock surged +74.4% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the strategic importance of acquiring a Phase 2 complement inhibitor and expanding the rare kidney disease pipeline. Prior news on pipeline progress and favorable Vafseo data sometimes met with weakness, so a sustained move would have contrasted with that pattern. Investors would have monitored future milestone obligations, the execution of planned Phase 2 trials, and overall balance sheet strength reflected in prior filings with revenues of $58.8M in Q3 2025.

Key Terms

monoclonal antibody medical

"a humanized anti-C3d Factor H monoclonal antibody ("mAb") fusion protein."

A monoclonal antibody is a laboratory-made protein designed to recognize and attach to a specific target in the body, such as a disease-causing substance or cell. It functions like a highly precise lock-and-key tool, helping to treat or detect illnesses. For investors, companies developing monoclonal antibodies can represent promising opportunities in the healthcare sector, especially as these treatments often address unmet medical needs.

mAb medical

"a humanized anti-C3d Factor H monoclonal antibody ("mAb") fusion protein."

A mAb (monoclonal antibody) is a lab-made protein designed to recognize and bind a specific target on cells or pathogens, like a custom-made key that fits one lock. Investors care because mAbs are often developed as therapies or diagnostic tools whose clinical trial results, regulatory approvals, production capacity, and patent status can drive significant revenue swings and affect a company’s valuation and risk profile.

fusion protein medical

"Factor H monoclonal antibody ("mAb") fusion protein. ADX-097 is designed"

A fusion protein is a single molecule created by joining parts of two different proteins so it can perform both functions or a new function, like combining two tools into one multitool. Investors should care because fusion proteins are often designed as medicines or diagnostics: they can offer clearer therapeutic effects, patent protection and pricing potential, but also bring higher development, manufacturing and regulatory risks that affect a company’s value.

complement activation medical

"ADX-097 is designed to inhibit complement activation—an integral part"

Complement activation is a chain reaction in the immune system where proteins rapidly tag and help remove microbes, damaged cells or foreign substances; imagine a row of falling dominos that amplifies an immune response. For investors, it matters because unwanted activation can cause inflammation, tissue damage or infusion reactions tied to drug safety, while controlled activation is a target mechanism for therapies and a potential biomarker for regulatory decisions and commercial value.

innate immune system medical

"inhibit complement activation—an integral part of the innate immune system—"

The innate immune system is the body's first line of defense made up of cells and proteins that respond quickly and broadly to infections or injury, like a neighborhood security team that reacts to any obvious threat. For investors, it matters because therapies or diagnostics that target or trigger this system can affect treatment effectiveness, safety profiles, clinical trial results and regulatory decisions, all of which influence a biotech or healthcare company's value.

Phase 2a medical

"topline data from Part B of the SIGNAL-AA Phase 2a trial, which remains"

Phase 2a is an early stage in testing a new medical treatment or drug, where the main goal is to assess its safety and find the right dosage. For investors, this stage indicates whether the treatment shows initial promise before moving on to larger, more definitive studies; progress here can influence expectations for future development and potential success.

royalties financial

"eligible to receive tiered royalties on potential future sales of ADX-097,"

Payments made to the owner of an asset or intellectual property each time that asset is used or a product is sold, often calculated as a percentage of sales or a set amount per unit. Royalties matter to investors because they create predictable, ongoing income streams and affect a company’s cash flow and valuation—like a landlord collecting rent or an author getting a steady cut whenever a book is sold.

tissue-targeted complement inhibitor medical

"Q32 Bio's tissue-targeted complement inhibitor platform, including ADX-096"

A tissue-targeted complement inhibitor is a type of drug that blocks part of the immune system called the complement pathway only in specific organs or tissues, so it calms harmful inflammation where it is needed without shutting down the whole body's defenses. For investors, this approach can mean a clearer safety profile and potentially broader use or faster regulatory approval compared with drugs that act throughout the body, influencing market potential and risk for related treatments.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

-- Asset sale further enables Company's strategic focus on advancing bempikibart for alopecia areata --

-- $12 million in upfront and guaranteed near-term milestone payments expected to extend cash runway into the second half of 2027 --

-- Eligible to receive up to a total of $592 million including the $12 million in upfront and near-term payments upon achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones and eligible for tiered royalties up to a mid-teen percent of annual net sales -- 

-- Q32 Bio retains wholly owned tissue-targeted complement inhibitor platform, including ADX-096 and other remaining early-stage assets; continuing to evaluate strategic options for these programs --

WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Q32 Bio Inc. (NASDAQ: QTTB) ("Q32 Bio"), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapies for alopecia areata (AA) and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, today announced that it has sold its Phase 2 complement inhibitor, ADX-097, to Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKBA) ("Akebia").

"This transaction strengthens our cash position through additional non-dilutive funding, extending our runway into the second half of 2027, as we remain focused on advancing bempikibart for patients with AA, an indication with significant unmet medical need. We believe bempikibart has tremendous potential to transform the AA treatment paradigm and we look forward to sharing topline data from Part B of the SIGNAL-AA Phase 2a trial, which remains on-track for mid-2026," said Jodie Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of Q32 Bio. "We are pleased to transition ownership and continued development of ADX-097 to Akebia, a company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for kidney disease."

ADX-097, the lead product candidate from Q32 Bio's tissue-targeted complement inhibitor platform, is a humanized anti-C3d Factor H monoclonal antibody ("mAb") fusion protein. ADX-097 is designed to inhibit complement activation—an integral part of the innate immune system—through a novel, tissue-targeted mechanism with potential in a range of indications associated with C3d deposition including kidney, autoimmune, vascular and skin diseases.  

Q32 Bio's tissue-targeted complement platform is designed to inhibit complement activation in the tissue while minimizing systemic complement blockade, a key differentiator versus current complement therapeutics.  The platform is proprietary to Q32 Bio and developed with foundational science from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Beyond ADX-097, discovery and earlier development efforts include ADX-096, a C3d mAb – CR1 fusion protein with preclinical data supportive of its use in ophthalmologic indications as well as potential utility in a broad range of other indications, and C3d mAb fusions and nanobodies designed for tissue-targeted complement inhibition. Q32 Bio retains the rights to its wholly owned tissue-targeted complement inhibitor platform, including ADX-096 and other remaining early-stage assets and is continuing to evaluate strategic options for these programs.

Akebia has acquired ADX-097 and will be responsible for future development and commercialization. Under the terms of the agreement, Q32 Bio will receive $12 million in upfront payments and a near-term milestone, which includes $7 million received at signing, $3 million at the 6-month anniversary of signing, and $2 million payable upon the earlier of the achievement of a milestone or the end of 2026. These payments as well as potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones total up to $592 million. Q32 Bio is also eligible to receive tiered royalties on potential future sales of ADX-097, ranging from low single-digit to mid-teen percentages.

Q32 Bio now expects its cash and cash equivalents, together with the upfront payments and near-term milestone from the sale of ADX-097, to fund operations into the second half of 2027, through the SIGNAL-AA Part A OLE and topline results of the SIGNAL-AA Part B trial expected in mid-2026.

About Q32 Bio

Q32 Bio is a clinical stage biotechnology company whose science targets potent regulators of the adaptive immune system to re-balance immunity and is focused on developing innovative therapies for alopecia areata and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. About 700,000 people in the United States live with alopecia areata¹, a disease which has a life-altering impact on patients and limited current treatment options. Q32 Bio is advancing bempikibart (ADX-914), a fully human anti-IL-7Rα antibody that re-regulates adaptive immune function, for the treatment of alopecia areata in an ongoing Phase 2 program. The IL-7 and TSLP pathways have been genetically and biologically implicated in driving several T cell-mediated pathological processes in numerous autoimmune diseases.

For more information, visit www.Q32Bio.com.

¹National Alopecia Areata Foundation

Availability of Other Information About Q32 Bio

Investors and others should note that Q32 Bio communicates with its investors and the public using its website www.Q32Bio.com, including, but not limited to, Q32 Bio's disclosures, investor presentations and FAQs, Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") filings, press releases, public conference call transcripts and webcast transcripts, as well as on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. The information that Q32 Bio posts on its website or on X or LinkedIn could be deemed to be material information. As a result, Q32 Bio encourages investors, the media and others interested to review the information that it posts there on a regular basis. The contents of Q32 Bio's website or social media shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Forward-Looking Statements 

This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and other federal securities laws. Any statements contained herein which do not describe historical facts are forward-looking statements, including, among others, Q32 Bio's beliefs, observations, expectations and assumptions regarding the sale of ADX-097 and potential for future milestone payments and royalties,  potential efficacy and potential benefits of bempikibart, the timing of results of the SIGNAL-AA Part A OLE and SIGNAL-AA Part B trials,  and the future of its business, future plans and strategies, including statements regarding the sufficiency of its cash and cash equivalents to provide financial runway through certain clinical milestones and into the second half of 2027; which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's current beliefs and assumptions, which are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risk that additional data, or the results of ongoing data analyses, may not support Q32 Bio's current beliefs and expectations for the sale of ADX-097 and potential for future milestone payments and royalties, its expected cash runway and clinical milestones, the potential for bempikibart to transform the AA treatment paradigm, the risk that ongoing and future clinical studies, including that the SIGNAL-AA Part A OLE and topline results of the SIGNAL-AA Part B trial  may not be completed by mid-2026 or at all, might be more costly than expected or might not yield anticipated results, that Q32 Bio may use its capital resources sooner than currently anticipated and such other risks and uncertainties identified in Q32 Bio's periodic, current and other filings with the SEC, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 and any subsequent filings with the SEC, which are available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Any such risks and uncertainties could materially and adversely affect Q32 Bio's results of operations and its cash flows, which would, in turn, have a significant and adverse impact on Q32 Bio's stock price. Q32 Bio cautions you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Q32 Bio disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Contacts:
Investors: Brendan Burns
Argot Partners
212.600.1902
Q32Bio@argotpartners.com

Media: David Rosen
Argot Partners
646.461.6387
david.rosen@argotpartners.com

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SOURCE Q32 Bio

FAQ

What did Q32 Bio (NASDAQ:QTTB) receive from selling ADX-097 to Akebia (NASDAQ:AKBA)?

Q32 received $12 million in upfront and near-term payments and is eligible for up to $592 million in milestone payments plus tiered royalties.

How are the $12 million payments to Q32 structured and timed?

Payments include $7M at signing, $3M at the six-month anniversary, and $2M payable upon a milestone or by the end of 2026.

How will the ADX-097 sale affect Q32 Bio's cash runway and milestones?

Q32 expects the proceeds and existing cash to fund operations into the second half of 2027, covering SIGNAL-AA Part A OLE and SIGNAL-AA Part B topline.

Who will develop and commercialize ADX-097 after the sale?

Akebia Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AKBA) acquired ADX-097 and will be responsible for future development and commercialization.

Does Q32 keep any complement inhibitor assets after the transaction?

Yes. Q32 retains its tissue-targeted complement inhibitor platform, including ADX-096 and other early-stage assets.

What is the timing for SIGNAL-AA Part B topline data tied to Q32's plans?

Q32 expects SIGNAL-AA Part B topline results in mid-2026.