I-Mab Biopharma (I-Mab), a China-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical company exclusively focused on the development of innovative biologics in immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hong Kong-based Bio-Cancer Treatment International Limited (BCT) to jointly explore and investigate new therapeutic potentials for BCT's arginine depletion therapy in autoimmune diseases and cancers.

Under the terms of the MOU, I-Mab and BCT will work together to explore the potential of arginine depletion therapy in autoimmune diseases, as well as biomarkers in arginine and other immunologic targets in the tumor microenvironment for experimental cancer immunotherapy.

In conjunction with this development collaboration, I-Mab also plans to establish a translational medicine lab in Hong Kong to conduct exploratory biomarker work on BCT's lead drug candidate, BCT-100, as well as a number of important assets in I-Mab's own pipeline. Over the longer term, I-Mab will consider expanding the lab into a full-functioning R&D center in Hong Kong, taking advantage of the local scientific talent pool, clinical resources and government initiatives to encourage life sciences development.