[Edaily Reporter NA EUN-KYUNG ] NeoImmuneTech, Inc.(950220)announced on the 7th that its U.S. partner, Tolerance Bio, presented “NT-I7” (epineptakin alfa), a long-acting interleukin-7 (IL-7) candidate, as a key clinical pipeline for restoring thymus function at the “ARDD 2026” (Aging Research and Drug Discovery) conference.

Tolerance Bio is a U.S. biotech company that acquired exclusive rights from NeoImmuneTech, Inc. last August to develop and commercialize NT-I7 for indications related to thymic dysfunction in the Americas and Europe. Its primary R&D strategy is to treat immune disorders and extend healthy life expectancy by preserving, restoring, and regulating thymic function. With the acquisition of NT-I7, the company transitioned into a clinical-stage biotech firm and is currently preparing for Phase 2 clinical development.

Francisco León, CEO of Tolerance Bio, presented the rationale behind the acquisition of NT-I7 and the company’s new drug development strategy focused on restoring thymus function at ARDD 2026, held at Harvard University on the 3rd (local time). ARDD is an international academic conference dedicated to research on aging, healthy lifespan, and related new drug development. This year’s event featured speakers from global pharmaceutical companies such as Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Novartis, Takeda, and Roche, as well as representatives from academia and the investment community.

Tolerance Bio explained that, after reviewing approximately 200 thymus-related targets through AI-based analysis, it selected long-acting IL-7 and IL-33 inhibition as its primary development pillars, taking into account the feasibility of human administration and the clinical development potential of existing compounds.

The long-acting IL-7 candidate is NT-I7, which was licensed from NeoImmuneTech, Inc. Last month, Tolerance Bio further expanded its thymus-related clinical pipeline by licensing “TLB-33,” a clinical-stage IL-33-inhibiting antibody, from Tanabe Pharma in Japan. The company plans to develop NT-I7 under a “Regeneration” strategy aimed at restoring thymus function, and TLB-33 under a “Preservation” strategy aimed at inhibiting functional decline. While developing the two candidates separately, the company is also exploring the possibility of future combination therapy.

NT-I7 is a sustained-release fusion protein designed to extend the half-life of IL-7 in the body. IL-7 is a cytokine involved in the generation and survival of T cells, and it also plays a role in the process by which T cells are produced in the thymus. Based on existing clinical experience administering NT-I7 to patients with compromised immune function—such as those with cancer or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection—Tolerance Bio plans to proceed with a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate thymus function and immune recovery.

Tolerance Bio, a partner of NeoImmuneTech, Inc., has secured exclusive development and commercialization rights in the Americas and Europe for specific thymus-related indications, while NeoImmuneTech, Inc. retains development rights for indications not covered by the agreement, including the oncology field. This agreement marks the first technology transfer agreement NeoImmuneTech, Inc. has signed since its KOSDAQ listing in 2021.

Tolerance Bio’s management team has experience in new drug development and technology commercialization in the field of immune disorders. CEO Leon previously served as a co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at Provention Bio and participated in the development of “Tzield,” a treatment for delaying the onset of type 1 diabetes. ProGen was acquired by Sanofi in 2023. Cellymun, which CEO Leon co-founded earlier, was also acquired by Amgen in 2017.

Tolerance Bio plans to introduce its thymus-based pipeline at a series of events related to aging and advanced therapies taking place in the U.S. through next month, starting with ARDD. CEO Leon will participate as a speaker on the longevity panel at the “Medical Innovation Olympics” in New York on the 16th of this month and at Harvard University’s “Future of Aging Research” event on the 12th of next month. At “Advanced Therapy USA 2026,” taking place in Boston on the 4th and 5th of next month, Tolerance Bio is scheduled to present its thymus-based cell therapy program.

Kim Tae-kyung, CEO of NeoImmuneTech, Inc., “Since the technology transfer, Tolerance Bio has established a thymus platform, including NT-I7, and has begun announcing its development strategy at global academic conferences,” he said. “As our partner’s clinical development progresses, we can receive milestone payments in accordance with the contract terms, and we can also expect an increase in value through NeoImmuneTech, Inc.’s stake in Tolerance Bio.”