Harbour BioMed and Kelun-Biotech have announced that the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China has approved the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for HBM7575/SKB575, a long-acting bispecific antibody therapy being developed for the treatment of Atopic Dermatitis.

HBM7575/SKB575 is designed to simultaneously target thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a key driver of type-2 inflammation, and another undisclosed target. The therapy is being jointly developed by Harbour BioMed and Kelun-Biotech as part of their collaboration to advance innovative antibody-based treatments.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterised by intense itching, redness and irritation. The condition affects nearly 20 percent of children and up to 10 percent of adults globally. Although not contagious, the disease significantly impacts patients’ quality of life due to recurring flare-ups and persistent symptoms.

Current treatment options—including topical corticosteroids, biologics and Janus kinase inhibitors—often provide symptom relief but may not ensure sustained disease control, particularly for patients with moderate-to-severe forms of the disease. The approval of the IND application marks a key step toward developing a potentially more durable and effective therapeutic option.

According to Harbour BioMed, the bispecific antibody is designed with a long-acting profile that could reduce dosing frequency while offering improved disease control by targeting upstream inflammatory pathways.

The companies plan to advance HBM7575/SKB575 into clinical development to evaluate its safety and efficacy in patients with atopic dermatitis. If successful, the therapy could provide a differentiated treatment option for individuals living with the chronic skin condition.