TLDR: Harbour BioMed has launched its first fully human Generative AI HCAb (Heavy Chain-Only Antibody) Model, powered by its Hu-mAtrIx™ AI platform. This innovation, announced at the Global R&D Day 2025, aims to revolutionize biologics discovery by integrating AI design, intelligent screening, and wet-lab validation, significantly boosting efficiency, accuracy, and candidate generation for next-generation therapeutics.
Shanghai, China – October 28, 2025 – Harbour BioMed (HKEX: 02142), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel antibody therapeutics, today announced a significant leap forward in drug discovery with the launch of its first fully human Generative AI HCAb (Heavy Chain-Only Antibody) Model. This pioneering model is powered by the company’s proprietary Hu-mAtrIx™ AI platform, which is built upon the foundational Harbour Mice® platform.
The announcement was made during Harbour BioMed’s Global R&D Day 2025 event held in Shanghai. The new Generative AI HCAb Model establishes a sophisticated closed-loop process that seamlessly integrates AI-driven design, intelligent screening, and rigorous wet-lab validation. This end-to-end workflow marks a transformative shift in antibody discovery, moving from traditional blind screening methods to an AI-driven intelligent selection process, thereby dramatically enhancing both efficiency and accuracy.
Heavy Chain-Only Antibodies (HCAbs) are recognized for their unique simple structure and low molecular weight, making them highly promising for advanced therapeutic applications. These include multi-specific antibodies, Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs), CAR-T therapies, mRNA treatments, XDCs, in vivo CAR-T, and inhaled or oral large-molecule drugs. Historically, a challenge with conventional human VH domains has been maintaining stability without VL pairing. The Harbour Mice® platform, distinguished as the world’s first transgenic mouse platform capable of producing fully human functional HCAbs, laid the crucial groundwork for overcoming this hurdle.
Early results from the AI HCAb Model are highly encouraging, demonstrating a tenfold increase in candidate generation and significantly improved success rates. Data presented revealed that out of 107 de novo generated binder sequences, an impressive 78.5% successfully engaged their intended targets. Furthermore, 20 molecules underwent subsequent wet-lab validation, exhibiting high activity, purity, yield, and specificity, with validated molecules showing nanomolar-level binding affinity and average yields exceeding 700 mg/L.
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In addition to the model launch, Harbour BioMed also officially established the Global AI + Pharmaceutical Ecosystem Alliance during the event. This alliance is designed to bring together leading expertise, cutting-edge technologies, and vital resources from various sectors. Its overarching goal is to systematically reshape the entire drug research and development process through advanced artificial intelligence technologies, ultimately accelerating the development of innovative therapies to benefit patients worldwide.
