Company Description
Brii Biosciences Limited (BRIBY) is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies to address major public health challenges where patients face high unmet medical needs, limited treatment options and significant social stigmas. According to company disclosures, Brii Biosciences ("Brii Bio," stock code: 2137.HK) concentrates on infectious diseases and, in some descriptions, infectious and central nervous system diseases, with lead programs targeting chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
The company describes itself as advancing a broad pipeline of unique therapeutic candidates with a primary emphasis on achieving a functional cure for HBV. Brii Bio reports that it is progressing multiple late-stage clinical programs built around three differentiated HBV-directed modalities: BRII-179, elebsiran (also referred to as BRII-835 or VIR-2218), and tobevibart (also referred to as BRII-877). These candidates are being evaluated alone or in combination with pegylated interferon alpha (PEG‑IFNα) and other agents as part of combination regimens designed to increase the rate of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) loss and functional cure in people with chronic HBV infection.
Core therapeutic focus and HBV functional cure strategy
Brii Bio states that its lead programs are against HBV infection, one of the most significant infectious disease threats globally. The company highlights that chronic HBV infection is a leading cause of liver disease and that HBV is of particular concern in China, where tens of millions of people are chronically infected, citing World Health Organization data in its releases. Within this context, Brii Bio positions its HBV portfolio as a coordinated effort to improve functional cure rates in target patient populations.
Based on company communications, the HBV strategy centers on:
- BRII-179: a novel recombinant protein-based HBV immunotherapeutic candidate that expresses Pre‑S1, Pre‑S2 and S HBV surface antigens and is designed to induce enhanced and broad B‑cell and T‑cell immunity. Brii Bio reports that BRII‑179 has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and is being evaluated in multiple Phase 2b combination studies, including ENRICH and ENHANCE.
- Elebsiran (BRII‑835, VIR‑2218): an investigational subcutaneously administered HBV‑targeting small interfering RNA (siRNA) designed to degrade HBV RNA transcripts and limit production of HBsAg. The company notes that elebsiran incorporates Enhanced Stabilization Chemistry Plus technology and has shown direct antiviral activity against HBV and HDV in clinical studies. Brii Bio licensed exclusive rights to develop and commercialize elebsiran in the Greater China territory from Vir Biotechnology.
- Tobevibart (BRII‑877): an investigational broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody targeting HBV, designed to block entry of HBV and HDV into hepatocytes and to reduce circulating virions and subviral particles. Brii Bio reports that tobevibart, licensed from Vir Biotechnology for Greater China, has been evaluated in Phase 1 and 2 studies and has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the CDE.
Across multiple press releases, Brii Bio explains that these three modalities are being combined in different ways, often with PEG‑IFNα and nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) as background therapy, to identify optimized curative regimens for different HBV patient subsets. The company emphasizes a multi‑modal approach that integrates immunomodulation (BRII‑179 and tobevibart) with surface antigen reduction (elebsiran) to pursue higher functional cure rates.
Key clinical programs and study designs
Brii Bio provides detailed descriptions of several ongoing Phase 2 and Phase 2b studies in chronic HBV infection:
- ENSURE (Phase 2): a multicenter, open‑label, active‑controlled randomized study evaluating the contribution of elebsiran in combination with PEG‑IFNα in participants with chronic HBV infection and baseline HBsAg between 100 and 3,000 IU/mL. Company communications describe multiple cohorts, including patients naïve to BRII‑179 and a Cohort 4 of participants previously treated with BRII‑179 who then receive elebsiran plus PEG‑IFNα. Brii Bio reports that end‑of‑treatment and follow‑up data show higher HBsAg loss rates with elebsiran + PEG‑IFNα compared with PEG‑IFNα alone, and that prior BRII‑179 responders achieved faster and higher HBsAg seroclearance than non‑responders.
- ENRICH (Phase 2b): described as a large, prospective and confirmatory Phase 2b study evaluating sequential treatment with BRII‑179 followed by elebsiran and PEG‑IFNα. According to the company, ENRICH is designed to assess BRII‑179’s role in priming HBV‑specific immunity and in identifying immuno‑responsive patients with a higher probability of functional cure.
- ENHANCE (Phase 2b): a randomized, double‑blind study evaluating a triple combination of BRII‑179, elebsiran and PEG‑IFNα compared to PEG‑IFNα alone in adult participants with chronic HBV infection without cirrhosis who are receiving NRTIs as background therapy. Brii Bio notes that the protocol has been amended to evaluate a simplified triple regimen aimed at shortening PEG‑IFNα treatment duration.
In addition to its own trials, Brii Bio highlights that its partner Vir Biotechnology is conducting multiple studies that include elebsiran and tobevibart, including Phase 2 and Phase 3 programs in chronic HBV and chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection. The company notes that regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency and the CDE, have granted various designations to these combination regimens, such as Fast Track, Orphan Drug, Breakthrough Therapy and PRIME, as described in Brii Bio’s press releases.
Other pipeline areas and partnerships
Beyond HBV, Brii Bio reports additional programs in HIV, multidrug‑resistant and extensively drug‑resistant (MDR/XDR) gram‑negative infections, and central nervous system diseases. One highlighted anti‑infective candidate is BRII‑693, described as a novel synthetic lipopeptide (a polymyxin‑derived agent) in development for critically ill patients with MDR/XDR gram‑negative bacterial infections, particularly carbapenem‑resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacterales. Brii Bio states that BRII‑693 has shown favorable safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic profiles in Phase 1 studies and that it holds exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize this asset.
The company also discloses that it has entered into a license and technology transfer agreement with Joincare Pharmaceutical Group Industry Co., Ltd. Under this arrangement, Joincare Group assumes responsibility for research, development, regulatory approval and commercialization of BRII‑693 in the Greater China region, while Brii Bio retains rights outside Greater China and may receive upfront, milestone and royalty payments as described in the agreement.
Brii Bio further notes that it has secured or is in the process of acquiring full intellectual property rights to BRII‑179 and related assets from VBI Vaccines, Inc., eliminating future milestones and royalty obligations associated with that program and enabling technology transfer and manufacturing expansion for BRII‑179 and certain hepatitis B vaccines (PreHevbrio/PreHevbri). In some communications, the company also references rights to VBI‑1901, a glioblastoma immunotherapeutic candidate, in parts of the Asia‑Pacific region, subject to specified conditions.
Geographic footprint and listing
In its public statements, Brii Bio indicates that it has operations in key biotechnology hubs, including Raleigh‑Durham, the San Francisco Bay Area, Beijing and Shanghai. The company’s ordinary shares trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code 2137.HK. The BRIBY symbol represents an American Depositary Receipt (ADR) linked to Brii Biosciences Limited, as reflected in the Polygon description "BRII BIOSCIENCS LTD U/ADR."
Financial position and capital allocation (evergreen framing)
Brii Bio’s press releases emphasize that it maintains a significant cash position intended to support late‑stage development of its core HBV functional cure program and early discovery initiatives over a multi‑year horizon. The company also notes efforts in pipeline prioritization, resource optimization, internalization of certain clinical development activities and cost‑saving measures with third‑party contractors, all described as part of its approach to managing research and development and administrative expenses.
In addition, Brii Bio has disclosed board‑approved share repurchase programs on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which it characterizes as reflecting confidence in its long‑term prospects. These capital allocation decisions are presented alongside updates on clinical progress and partnership activity.
Positioning within biotechnology and public health
Across multiple communications, Brii Bio consistently frames its mission around major public health challenges where patients experience high unmet medical needs and limited treatment choice. The company highlights infectious diseases such as HBV and MDR/XDR bacterial infections as areas with substantial global disease burden and significant mortality, citing WHO data. Brii Bio’s HBV program, in particular, is presented as targeting a large population of people living with chronic HBV infection, including those in China.
The company also notes that it is "led by a visionary and experienced leadership team" and that it is expanding internal discovery capabilities following the appointment of a new chief scientific officer, with the goal of strengthening its "innovation engine" and broadening its early‑stage portfolio. These statements underscore Brii Bio’s intention, as articulated in its own releases, to combine internal research with external collaborations and licensing agreements.
FAQs
- What does Brii Biosciences Limited do?
Brii Biosciences Limited is a biotechnology company that describes itself as developing therapies to address major public health challenges where patients have high unmet medical needs, limited choice and significant social stigmas. Its stated focus is on infectious diseases and, in some disclosures, central nervous system diseases, with lead programs targeting chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. - What is Brii Bio’s main therapeutic focus?
According to the company, its main therapeutic focus is infectious diseases, particularly chronic HBV infection. Brii Bio reports that it is advancing a broad pipeline of therapeutic candidates with lead programs aimed at achieving a functional cure for HBV through combination regimens that integrate immunotherapeutic agents, siRNA and other modalities. - Which HBV candidates are central to Brii Bio’s strategy?
Brii Bio highlights three key HBV‑related candidates: BRII‑179, a recombinant protein‑based HBV immunotherapeutic; elebsiran (also called BRII‑835 or VIR‑2218), an HBV‑targeting siRNA; and tobevibart (BRII‑877), a broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody targeting HBV. These agents are being evaluated in multiple Phase 2 and Phase 2b studies, often in combination with pegylated interferon alpha. - What is distinctive about Brii Bio’s HBV functional cure approach?
Company materials describe a multi‑modal approach that combines immunomodulation and surface antigen reduction. BRII‑179 is designed to induce broad B‑cell and T‑cell immunity, elebsiran is designed to degrade HBV RNA transcripts and reduce HBsAg, and tobevibart targets viral entry and circulating particles. Brii Bio’s trials, such as ENSURE, ENRICH and ENHANCE, are structured to evaluate how these components can be sequenced or combined to increase functional cure rates in defined HBV patient populations. - What is BRII‑693 and how does it fit into Brii Bio’s pipeline?
BRII‑693 is described by the company as a novel synthetic lipopeptide derived from the polymyxin scaffold, in development for critically ill patients with multidrug‑ and extensively drug‑resistant gram‑negative bacterial infections. Brii Bio reports that it holds exclusive global rights to BRII‑693 and that it has entered into a license and technology transfer agreement granting Joincare Group rights to research, develop and commercialize BRII‑693 in the Greater China region. - How is Brii Bio collaborating with other companies?
Brii Bio’s disclosures reference several collaborations. It has licensed elebsiran and tobevibart from Vir Biotechnology for the Greater China territory and notes that Vir is conducting multiple clinical studies involving these agents. Brii Bio has also entered into agreements with VBI Vaccines, Inc. to acquire intellectual property and manufacturing assets related to BRII‑179 and certain hepatitis B vaccines, and it has licensed BRII‑693 to Joincare Group for Greater China. - Where does Brii Bio operate?
The company states that it has operations in key biotechnology hubs, including Raleigh‑Durham, the San Francisco Bay Area, Beijing and Shanghai. Its ordinary shares are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code 2137.HK, and BRIBY represents an ADR linked to Brii Biosciences Limited. - Does Brii Bio work on diseases beyond HBV?
Yes. In addition to HBV, Brii Bio mentions programs in HIV, multidrug‑resistant and extensively drug‑resistant infections and central nervous system diseases. It also references potential rights to VBI‑1901, a glioblastoma immunotherapeutic candidate, in parts of the Asia‑Pacific region, subject to specified conditions. - What regulatory designations have Brii Bio’s HBV assets received?
According to company press releases, the CDE of the NMPA has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to BRII‑179, elebsiran (BRII‑835) and tobevibart (BRII‑877). Brii Bio also notes that Vir‑led programs involving elebsiran and tobevibart have received Fast Track, Orphan Drug, Breakthrough Therapy and PRIME designations from U.S. and European regulators, as described in those releases. - How does Brii Bio describe its financial position?
Brii Bio states that it maintains a strong cash position intended to support late‑stage development of its core HBV functional cure program and early discovery initiatives over several years. The company also highlights measures such as pipeline prioritization, internalization of some clinical activities and cost control with third‑party contractors as part of its financial management approach.
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