Helix BioPharma Corp. has announced the extension of its Research and Exclusive Option Agreement with metaShape Pharma AG covering LEUMUNA through December 31, 2028. The agreement, originally established in April 2023, grants metaShape an exclusive research license and an option to negotiate a commercial license for LEUMUNA within the field of adipose tissue-related and metabolic diseases.
Referred to internally at metaShape as MS 001, the compound is being developed as an orally administered, first-in-class co-therapy to GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide. The development aims to improve the selectivity of adipose tissue reduction and the durability of weight loss. In metaShape-led preclinical studies, MS 001 was shown to increase inosine and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels, supporting enhanced mitochondrial function, increased energy expenditure in adipose tissue, and broader metabolic efficiency.
Consistent with these effects, treatment with MS 001 in mice maintained on a highly obesogenic diet was associated with improved weight loss outcomes and attenuated weight regain following GLP-1 withdrawal. Following Helix's acquisition of Laevoroc Immunology AG's assets and related rights in November 2024, Helix became the successor licensor under the agreement. The extension provides additional runway to advance research activities and support the progression of the program toward clinical-stage development.
For Helix, the extension preserves long-term optionality in high-value metabolic indications while maintaining a clear strategic focus on unlocking the potential of its oncology assets in hard-to-treat cancers. The company's pipeline is led by Tumor Defense Breaker L-DOS47, a clinical-stage antibody-enzyme conjugate, as detailed in their corporate materials available at https://www.helixbiopharma.com/.
"The extension of this agreement aligns with a period of meaningful progress for metaShape," said Randall Riggs, MBA, CEO of metaShape. "We are excited about the developments underway around MS 001 and look forward to sharing more as the program continues to advance." Thomas Mehrling, MD, PhD, CEO of Helix BioPharma, added, "From Helix's perspective, the decision to extend this agreement is grounded in the quality of the emerging preclinical data around MS 001, particularly its effects on NAD⁺ biology and the reprogramming of fat metabolism."
This development represents a strategic move for Helix to maintain exposure to the rapidly growing metabolic disease therapeutics market while concentrating resources on its core oncology mission. The extension suggests confidence in the preclinical data generated for MS 001 and its potential to address limitations of current GLP-1-based obesity treatments, particularly regarding weight regain and tissue selectivity. For business leaders and investors, this news highlights how biopharmaceutical companies are leveraging strategic partnerships and option agreements to diversify therapeutic pipelines while managing research and development risk.
