Key Takeaways:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, instigated by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has precipitated a worldwide public health crisis over the past 4 years. Vaccines and treatments…
Kirkland & Ellis advised CBC Group-backed NovaBridge Biosciences (Nasdaq: NBP, formally known as I-Mab) on its acquisition of VIS-101, a novel bifunctional biologic targeting VEGF-A and ANG2. This transaction was closed on October 20, 2025, representing another successful practice of leading biotech companies using the NewCo model to acquire high-potential drug assets.
NovaBridge Biosciences was rebranded from I-Mab, following the launch of its new model business model reflecting strategic transition to a global biotech platform. Leveraging CBC Group’s rich resources and global capabilities, NovaBridge Biosciences collaborates with world-leading innovators to select high-potential drug assets and accelerate their access to global patients. NovaBridge Biosciences advances the most promising innovative drugs across multiple therapeutic fields by establishing satellite subsidiaries focused on specific therapeutic areas or assets.
VIS-101 is a novel bispecific molecule targeting VEGF-A and ANG2. It is a more potent molecule that could potentially provide more durable treatment benefits for patients with wet AMD, DME and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) than current standard of care. VIS-101 has completed initial safety and dose-escalation studies in both the US and China, and is currently undergoing a Phase 2 study in China. VIS-101 is anticipated to enter into a Phase 3 study in 2026.
The acquisition was completed by a newly formed subsidiary Visara, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development of best-in-class ophthalmic therapeutics, launched with an approximately $37M capital infusion from NovaBridge Biosciences and the contribution by AffaMed Therapeutics (HK) Limited of its rights to develop, commercialize and otherwise exploit VIS-101. Upon completion, NovaBridge Biosciences is the majority shareholder of Visara, and Visara controls global rights to VS-101. NovaBridge Biosciences has also signed a separate assignment agreement with Everest Medicines (HKEX: 1952) pursuant to which Visara has assigned Everest the right to develop, commercialize and otherwise exploit VIS-101 in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Korea and India.
The Kirkland team included corporate lawyers Mengyu Lu, Jiayi Wang, Justin Zhou, Ryan Choi, Yuchen Han, Louis Zhou and Rock Liu.
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