Q32 Bio Inc (NASDAQ:QTTB) saw its stock skyrocket 94% in premarket trading on Monday after revealing that it has sold its Phase 2 complement inhibitor, ADX-097, to Akebia Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AKBA).
The deal delivers $12 million in upfront and guaranteed near-term milestone payments to Q32 Bio, including $7 million paid at signing. The company could ultimately receive as much as $592 million if various development, regulatory, and commercial milestones are achieved, along with tiered royalties reaching up to the mid-teens on annual net sales.
Q32 Bio said the divestiture significantly lengthens its cash runway into the second half of 2027, allowing it to concentrate resources on advancing bempikibart for alopecia areata. The firm expects to release topline results from Part B of the SIGNAL-AA Phase 2a study by mid-2026.
“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,” said Jodie Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of Q32 Bio.
Under the terms of the agreement, Akebia will assume full responsibility for the future development and commercialization of ADX-097. Q32 Bio will retain ownership of its entire tissue-targeted complement inhibitor platform—including ADX-096 and other early-stage candidates—and continues to evaluate strategic paths for these programs.
ADX-097 is a humanized anti-C3d Factor H monoclonal antibody fusion protein engineered to inhibit complement activation via a tissue-targeted approach, with potential therapeutic applications across kidney, autoimmune, vascular, and dermatological diseases.