Connect Biopharma (CNTB) Cantor Global Healthcare Conference 2025 summary

Company evolution and strategic focus

• Leadership shifted focus to U.S.-centric operations, moving headquarters to San Diego and transitioning to ordinary share trading.

• Emphasis placed on developing rademikibart, an IL-4 receptor alpha antibody, for acute respiratory diseases, particularly asthma and COPD.

• Differentiation from competitors includes longer half-life, Q4 week dosing, and a favorable safety profile compared to Dupixent.

• Chronic studies show greater airway function improvement versus other biologics.

Clinical development and trial design

• Phase II trials target acute exacerbations in asthma and COPD, focusing on rapid onset of action and unique acute treatment indication.

• Market size estimated at nearly four million addressable patients annually for acute exacerbations.

• Trials use both ER-based and pre-enrollment pathways to recruit patients, with top-line data expected in the first half of next year.

• Primary endpoint is a 50% reduction in treatment failures; secondary endpoints include speed of airway improvement and symptom relief.

• Interim analysis will check study powering, not for futility, with minor adjustments possible.

Market opportunity and future plans

• No new drugs for acute exacerbations in over 30 years; current standard is prednisone and bronchodilators.

• Health economic benefit possible by reducing ER readmissions, which occur in 20%-30% of cases.

• Phase III plans include both acute and chronic indications, leveraging ongoing chronic studies in China.

• Acute phase III studies estimated at $12+ million each; chronic phase III at $50-$75 million.

• Dosing strategies will differentiate between hospital and outpatient settings, with cost-effective hospital vials and premium outpatient auto-injectors.