Swiss biotechnology company Windward Bio has entered into a significant licensing agreement with Chinese biotech Qyuns Therapeutics, securing rights outside China to a clinical stage immunology bispecific antibody known as WIN027, also referred to as QX027N. The agreement could be worth up to 700 million US dollars, including upfront and equity payments as well as development, regulatory and commercial milestones.
The licensed candidate is an IgG1 bispecific monoclonal antibody designed to target both thymic stromal lymphopoietin and interleukin 13, two cytokines that play central roles in inflammatory and immune mediated diseases. The programme is currently in a phase one clinical study and has been engineered with an extended half life that could enable less frequent dosing.
Windward Bio chief executive Luca Santarelli said the company is enthusiastic about adding WIN027 to its growing immunology pipeline, highlighting its dual potency and long acting profile. He noted that targeting both pathways simultaneously could offer improved disease control and greater convenience for patients with conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and atopic dermatitis.
Strategic expansion of Windward Bio’s immunology portfolio
The deal supports Windward Bio’s rapid expansion following its launch earlier this year with substantial backing from Novo Holdings. The company has been building a portfolio focused on long acting biologics for immunological diseases. Its lead asset, WIN378, a long acting anti thymic stromal lymphopoietin antibody, is already progressing towards phase two development in severe asthma and other respiratory indications.
By licensing WIN027, Windward is extending its platform to include bispecific antibodies that can address multiple disease mechanisms simultaneously. Such approaches are increasingly being pursued in immunology, where complex inflammatory pathways often limit the effectiveness of single target therapies.
The agreement also reflects broader interest in Qyuns Therapeutics’ multispecific antibody capabilities. Chinese biotech developers are playing a growing role in early stage biologics innovation, with Western companies increasingly turning to licensing and partnership deals to access differentiated assets.
Clinical and commercial implications
WIN027 is being developed for diseases with large patient populations and high unmet medical need. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, and while biologics have transformed care for some patients, limitations remain around dosing frequency, durability of response and breadth of efficacy.
Windward Bio’s strategy centres on long acting and multi pathway approaches designed to improve treatment outcomes and patient adherence. If clinical development is successful, WIN027 could strengthen the company’s competitive position in a crowded but fast growing immunology market.
The value of the deal is closely tied to future clinical milestones. As the programme advances through later stage trials, Windward will need to demonstrate clear safety, efficacy and differentiation relative to existing biologics and emerging competitors. Positive results would support regulatory submissions and potential commercialisation in major markets.
Broader trends in immunology and bispecific development
The Windward Qyuns agreement highlights several wider trends shaping the biopharmaceutical sector. Bispecific antibodies are gaining momentum as a way to tackle complex immune driven diseases more effectively. At the same time, cross border licensing between Western biotechs and Chinese innovators is becoming more common, reflecting the maturity and global relevance of China’s biotech ecosystem.
High value licensing deals for clinical stage assets also underline the premium being placed on programmes with strong biological rationale, validated targets and the potential for differentiated dosing or efficacy profiles.
Outlook
For Windward Bio, the addition of WIN027 marks an important step in its evolution from a newly founded company into a multi asset immunology developer. For Qyuns Therapeutics, the deal validates its bispecific antibody platform and strengthens its position as a partner of choice for global drug developers.
As WIN027 progresses through clinical development, its performance will be closely watched by investors and competitors alike. The agreement underscores the intensity of innovation and competition in immunology, and the growing role of global collaboration in bringing next generation biologics closer to patients.
