Helix Biopharma Corp. Extends LEUMUNA Option with metaShape Pharma for Adipose Tissue-Related and Metabolic Diseases
(TheNewswire)
(Toronto, Ontario; February 5, 2026) – TheNewswire - Helix BioPharma Corp.(TSX: “HBP”, OTC PINK: “HBPCD”, FRANKFURT: “HBP0”)(“Helix” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage oncologycompany shaping a near future where today’s hard-to-treat cancersare vincible, today announced the extension of its Research andExclusive Option Agreement (the “Agreement”) with metaShape Pharma AG(“metaShape”) covering LEUMUNA™ through December 31, 2028.
The Agreement was originally entered into in April 2023between metaShape and Laevoroc Immunology AG, providing metaShape withan exclusive research license and an option to negotiate a commerciallicense for LEUMUNA within the field of adipose tissue-related andmetabolic diseases. Referred to internally at metaShape as “MS001”, the compound is being developed as an orally administered,first-in-class co-therapy to GLP-1 receptor agonists, such assemaglutide, aimed at improving the selectivity of adipose tissuereduction and the durability of weight loss.
In metaShape-led preclinical studies, MS 001 was shownto increase inosine and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)levels, supporting enhanced mitochondrial function, increased energyexpenditure in adipose tissue, and broader metabolic efficiency.Consistent with these effects, treatment with MS 001 in micemaintained on a highly obesogenic diet was associated with improvedweight loss outcomes and attenuated weight regain following GLP-1withdrawal.
Following Helix’s acquisition of Laevoroc ImmunologyAG’s assets and related rights in November 2024, as amended, Helixbecame the successor licensor under the Agreement.1 In accordance withpreviously agreed terms, the parties have extended the option periodthrough December 31, 2028, providing additional runway to advanceresearch activities and support the progression of the program towardclinical-stage development. For Helix, the extension preserveslong-term optionality in high-value metabolic indications, whilemaintaining a clear strategic focus on unlocking the potential of itsoncology assets in hard-to-treat cancers.
“The extension of this agreement aligns with a periodof meaningful progress for metaShape,” said Randall Riggs, MBA, CEO ofmetaShape. “We are excited about thedevelopments underway around MS 001 and look forward to sharing moreas the program continues to advance.”
“From Helix’s perspective, the decision to extendthis agreement is grounded in the quality of the emerging preclinicaldata around MS 001, particularly its effects on NAD? biology and the reprogramming offat metabolism,” said ThomasMehrling, MD, PhD, CEO of Helix BioPharma. “Weare excited by the potential of this compound to benefit patientsacross distinct disease settings, with dosing and developmentapproaches designed to reflect the unique needs of each indication.This program also reinforces the breadth of Helix’s science and itsability to generate value beyond oncology.”
About MetaShape Pharma
MetaShape Pharma is a privately owned biopharmaceuticalcompany founded in 2023 on a bold premise: metabolic dysfunction is asolvable problem, if we treat it at its root. The Company isdeveloping first-in-class metabolic therapiesdesigned to overcome the limitations of today’s GLP-1-basedtreatments. Its lead program, MS 001 (ulodesine hemiglutarate), is apreclinical-stage, oral small-molecule co-therapy designed toreprogram fat metabolism to enhance fat-selective weight loss,preserve muscle mass, and reduce weight regain, supporting moredurable outcomes in obesity and cardiometabolic disease. Learn more atwww.metashapepharma.com.
About Helix BioPharma
Helix BioPharma is an oncology company that innovatesfrom strength to bring near-term solutions for today’shardest-to-treat cancers. The Company’s pipeline is led by TumorDefense Breaker™ L-DOS47, a clinical-stage antibody-enzyme conjugatedesigned to prime CEACAM6-expressing tumors for increased sensitivityto therapy and augment the effectiveness of today’s front-runninganti-cancer treatments. L-DOS47 has completed Phase Ib studies innon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and shares its CEACAM6-targetingfoundation with Helix’s next-generation bi-specific antibody-drugconjugates (ADCs), currently in discovery. The Company also advancestwo pre-IND candidates: (i) LEUMUNA™, an oral immune checkpointmodulator aimed at achieving durable remission in post-transplantleukemia relapse, and (ii) GEMCEDA™, a first-in-class oralgemcitabine prodrug with bioavailability on a par with IV, designed toexpand treatment options for advanced cancers.
Helix is listed on TSX (HBP), OTC PINK (HBPCD), and FWB(HBP0). For more information, pleasevisit: https://www.helixbiopharma.com/
For more information, pleasecontact:
Helix BioPharma Corp.
Bay Adelaide Centre - North Tower
40 Temperance Street, Suite 2700
Toronto, ON M5H 0B4
Tel: +1 857 208 7687
Jacek Antas, Director
Forward-Looking Statements and Risksand Uncertainties
This news release containsforward-looking statements and information (collectively,“forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicableCanadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statementsand information that are not historical facts but instead includefinancial projections and estimates, statements regarding plans,goals, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to theCompany’s future business, operations, research and development,including the Company’s activities relating to DOS47, LEUMUNA™ andGEMCEDA™. Forward-looking statements can further be identified bythe use of forward-looking terminology such as “ongoing”,“estimates”, “expects”, or the negative thereof or any othervariations thereon or comparable terminology referring to futureevents or results, or that events or conditions “will”, “may”,“could”, or “should” occur or be achieved, or comparableterminology referring to future events or results.
Forward-looking statements arenecessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that theCompany considered appropriate and reasonable as of the date suchinformation is given, including but not limited to the assumptionsregarding the implied benefits of the transactions. Forward-lookingstatements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, andother factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, thatmay cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materiallydifferent from those expressed or implied by such forward-lookingstatements, including but not limited to the risk that theCompany's assumptions on which its forward-looking statements arebased may not be accurate; the ability of the Company to capitalize onthe potential benefits of the transactions; and the risk factorsdisclosed in the Company's periodic reports publicly filed andavailable on its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. No assurance can be given that any ofthe events anticipated by the forward-looking statements willtranspire or occur. There is no assurance that the proposedtransactions will be completed in accordance with its terms or at all.The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are madeas of the date of this announcement and the Company does not assumeany obligation to update any forward-looking statement or informationshould those beliefs, assumptions, opinions or expectations, or othercircumstances change, except as required by law.
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