On June 1, 2026 Biond Biologics Ltd., a private clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class immunotherapies for cancer and immune-mediated diseases, and the Guangzhou-Israel Biotechnology Fund (GIBF), a leading life science investment fund, reported a strategic $8 million investment together with the formation of a China-based joint venture to advance Biond’s innovative oncology pipeline.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The newly established joint venture will focus on accelerating the development of Biond’s lead programs, including BND-67, a first-in-class therapy targeting CD28 shedding, as well as BND-22, a Phase 2 anti-ILT2 antibody and additional pipeline assets. The collaboration is designed to leverage Biond’s differentiated oncology science together with GIBF’s deep expertise in the Chinese biotechnology ecosystem, including clinical development, regulatory strategy, and local collaborations. Through this partnership, Biond and GIBF aim to accelerate clinical execution, expand combination strategies, and maximize the value of Biond’s pipeline within the Chinese market.

Biond’s pipeline

BND-22 is a Phase 2 anti-ILT2 checkpoint inhibitor designed to restore anti-tumor immunity by targeting the ILT2–HLA-G axis. BND-22 has demonstrated efficacy in heavily treated cancer patients in indications that hardly respond to Immuno-Oncology (IO) therapies, such as MSS-CRC, and is currently being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 2 study at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

BND-67 is Biond’s next-generation immunotherapy and a first-in-class asset targeting CD28 shedding, a novel immune evasion mechanism with the potential to redefine T-cell modulation in cancer. Given the central role of CD28 in T-cell activation, BND-67 introduces a fundamentally new approach to restoring immune responsiveness. By preserving CD28 signaling, it enhances effector T-cell activity while selectively inhibiting regulatory T-cell function, driving a potent and sustained anti-tumor response. The program is IND-ready, with a Phase 1 trial planned for Q2 2026.

"Entering this strategic partnership with GIBF marks an important milestone in advancing our pipeline globally," said Ori Shilo, CFO and Co-Founder of Biond Biologics. "By combining our novel scientific approaches with GIBF’s deep understanding of the Chinese biotech landscape, we are well-positioned to accelerate the development of our lead programs, BND-22 and BND-67, and expand their potential across key indications, leveraging both our clinical and business capabilities and the scale of the Chinese market."

"We are pleased to partner with Biond Biologics, a company developing highly differentiated therapies targeting novel immune pathways," said Avner Lushi, Managing Partner of GIBF. "The Chinese biotech market has rapidly evolved into a leading source of innovation, supported by high-quality clinical development and strong translational science. We believe that leveraging GIBF’s unique investment model will enable the efficient advancement of Biond’s assets and create meaningful value for both patients and stakeholders in the coming years. Together with Biond, we are also seeking additional collaborations across Asia to further expand Biond’s capabilities and geographic footprint."

(Press release, Biond Biologics, JUN 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234666333])