Alentis Therapeutics, launched and built by BaseLaunch in close collaboration with scientific founder Professor Thomas Baumert, has entered a global partnership with CSL. The agreement includes US$355 million upfront and up to US$1.2 billion in additional commercial milestone payments.
BaseLaunch portfolio company Alentis Therapeutics has entered an exclusive global agreement with CSL, a BaseLaunch partner, to co-develop and co-promote lixudebart for rare kidney and liver diseases. The collaboration marks a major milestone in Alentis’s journey from academic discovery to the development of potential new medicines for patients.
Under the agreement, Alentis will receive US$355 million upfront and is eligible for up to US$1.2 billion in additional commercial milestone payments. Following commercialisation, global profits will be shared, with 55% going to CSL and 45% to Alentis.
CSL will also fully fund completion of the ongoing Phase 2 RENAL trial, the planned Phase 3 trial in ANCA-associated vasculitis with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, and Phase 2 trials in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, together with supporting development activities.
Advancing a new approach to organ damage
Lixudebart is an investigational antibody that selectively targets exposed claudin-1. It is designed to address both inflammation and fibrosis—two key drivers of progressive organ damage.
The ongoing Phase 2 RENAL trial is evaluating lixudebart in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, a rare and potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease with severe kidney involvement. Planned studies in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a kidney disease, and primary sclerosing cholangitis, a liver disease, will explore its potential across additional indications.
Building Alentis from the outset
BaseLaunch worked closely with Professor Thomas Baumert to translate his research into a biotech company. Our role went well beyond early financing: we were actively involved in launching Alentis, licensing the foundational patents from the University of Strasbourg and assembling the initial team. We also contributed to shaping the company’s initial indication strategy and securing its Series A financing.
Seeing Alentis reach this milestone is a proud moment for BaseLaunch. The partnership brings together a company we helped build from the outset and one of our own industry partners, making it particularly meaningful. It demonstrates what can be achieved when outstanding academic science is combined with hands-on company building and early financial backing.
Congratulations to Mark Pruzanski, Thomas Baumert, the entire Alentis team, and our partners at CSL. We look forward to the next chapter – and the progress it could bring for patients in need.
