Evommune has struck a licensing agreement with China-based Hinova Pharmaceuticals worth up to approximately $1.1 billion, giving the California biotechnology company rights to develop and commercialize an experimental oral autoimmune treatment outside Greater China.
The deal expands Evommune’s inflammation-focused pipeline and places it in a field where Novartis is advancing a competing approach.
The candidate, named EVO570, is a molecular glue degrader targeting VAV1, a signaling protein involved in activating T cells and B cells. These immune cells play central roles in inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Rather than simply blocking VAV1, the investigational drug is designed to direct the protein toward the cell’s disposal machinery, prompting its breakdown.
Evommune will pay Hinova $30 million upfront: $20 million in cash and $10 million in pre-funded warrants to purchase Evommune common stock. Hinova may also receive up to approximately $1.1 billion in development, legal and commercial milestone payments, plus tiered royalties on net sales in the licensed territories. Hinova retains rights in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
The agreement gives Evommune exclusive, sublicensable rights to the candidate throughout the licensed territories.
Developed by Hinova, the drug was previously known as HC118 and is called HP570 in Greater China. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted its investigational new drug application, and a Phase 1 study is expected to begin shortly. The initial trial will assess safety, drug exposure and biological activity. Evommune plans to advance the program into its first Phase 2 study in rheumatoid arthritis in 2027.
VAV1 has drawn interest because its activity is concentrated largely in immune cells. This could offer a more selective way to influence immune responses than targeting Janus kinase, or JAK, enzymes, which are found in a wider range of tissues.
Although JAK inhibitors can treat inflammatory diseases, some carry important safety warnings. Selective VAV1 degradation may offer a different balance of efficacy and tolerability, but clinical testing must establish whether that potential translates into patient benefit.
Jeegar Patel, Evommune’s chief scientific officer, characterized VAV1 as an attractive immunology target. He said EVO570’s design and optimization had delivered high selectivity and potency, alongside properties intended to support once-daily oral dosing. Patel said the company expects to report Phase 1 findings and move the candidate into a rheumatoid arthritis Phase 2 trial in 2027.
The program enters an increasingly competitive field. Novartis secured rights to Monte Rosa Therapeutics’ VAV1 degrader MRT-6160 in 2024, paying $150 million upfront in an agreement that included up to $2.1 billion in potential milestones. Novartis has since reported encouraging early clinical findings and advanced the drug into Phase 2 studies for psoriatic arthritis and Sjögren’s disease.
The Hinova license also broadens Evommune’s pipeline after setbacks. The company discontinued EVO756 following unsuccessful results in two Phase 2 studies, although its intravenous candidate EVO301 produced a positive mid-stage eczema result earlier this year.
EVO570 remains investigational. Its safety, clinical performance, regulatory pathway and commercial prospects have yet to be established. The agreement’s headline value is contingent on achieving specified milestones.
Evommune Expands Its Autoimmune Drug Development Strategy
Evommune has secured a significant deal with Hinova Pharmaceuticals to strengthen the development of a promising oral treatment for autoimmune diseases. The partnership highlights growing interest in innovative therapies that could provide patients with more convenient treatment options and address unmet medical needs.
A Major Partnership for Oral Medicine
The agreement gives Evommune an opportunity to advance its autoimmune drug ambitions through access to Hinova’s expertise and development capabilities. Oral medicines can offer an important alternative to injectable treatments, potentially making long-term therapy more convenient for patients managing chronic autoimmune conditions.
The partnership provides Evommune with an opportunity to expand its scientific reach and accelerate its development strategy. With continued investment and collaboration, the company could play a larger role in the future of autoimmune drug innovation.
