I-Mab Biologics will present three research studies on IMB-101, a bispecific antibody being developed as a treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa, at one of Europe’s largest dermatology conferences.
The company said it will present three studies on IMB-101 (NAV-240/NAV-242) with its partner Navigator Medicines at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV 2026), held in Vienna, Austria, from September 30 to October 3.
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by recurring painful inflammatory nodules and abscesses, commonly affecting areas such as the underarms and groin.
IMB-101 was developed by I-Mab Biologics and licensed to Navigator Medicines in 2024. Navigator subsequently raised $100 million in Series A financing and began development of NAV-240.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared an Investigational New Drug application for a Phase 2a trial of NAV-240 in hidradenitis suppurativa, with the first patient dosed in March.
Two formulations are currently being developed: NAV-240, an intravenous formulation, and NAV-242, a next-generation formulation designed to extend the drug’s half-life and enable subcutaneous administration.
At the conference, researchers presented Phase 1 results for NAV-240 and preclinical data for NAV-242 in poster sessions. A study analyzing tissue samples from patients with hidradenitis suppurativa was also presented orally during a late-breaking session.
The NAV-240 Phase 1 trial enrolled 64 healthy adults and evaluated the drug using single ascending-dose and multiple ascending-dose designs.
According to the company, the study demonstrated generally favorable safety and tolerability, while pharmacokinetic characteristics were predictable. No serious treatment-emergent adverse events were observed.
Preclinical findings for NAV-242 were also presented. Like NAV-240, NAV-242 simultaneously blocks OX40L and TNF-alpha while being engineered to remain in the body longer and allow subcutaneous administration.
I-Mab Biologics also presented research using actual skin tissue from patients with hidradenitis suppurativa to investigate the mechanism of action of IMB-101. Researchers analyzed the inflammatory environment in skin lesions, including the involvement of OX40L and TNF-alpha, providing additional support for the rationale behind simultaneously targeting both pathways.
NAV-240 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2a trial involving approximately 150 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa across 41 clinical trial sites in eight countries, including the United States, Canada and European countries. Navigator has said patient enrollment is progressing faster than initially planned.
NAV-242 is also being evaluated in a Phase 1 trial in Australia involving healthy participants. Early dosing cohorts have shown an extended drug half-life, while full Phase 1 results are expected in 2027.
Park Ji-hye, Chief Development Officer at I-Mab Biologics, said, “These three presentations are significant because they provide clinical safety and pharmacokinetic data for NAV-240 along with preclinical findings supporting the potential of NAV-242, the next-generation subcutaneous formulation. The findings suggest that IMB-101’s dual inhibition of TNF and OX40L could have potential as a treatment option for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.”
