HOOKIPA Advances Development of HB-200 and HB-700 Oncology Programs Through Strategic Asset Transfer

HOOKIPA Pharma Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in immunotherapeutics, has completed an asset purchase agreement to transfer its oncology pipeline to NeoTrail Therapeutics, Inc. The transaction, signed on January 28, 2026, marks a strategic shift in the company’s development focus and is expected to close during the second quarter of 2026. The financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, though industry observers view the move as a vote of confidence in the therapeutic potential of HOOKIPA’s immunooncology candidates.

HB-200 Shows Strong Clinical Momentum in HPV16-Positive Cancers

The lead asset in the transferred portfolio, HB-200 (Eseba-vec), represents a significant advancement in cancer immunotherapy. Developed using HOOKIPA’s proprietary arenavirus platform, this investigational therapeutic has garnered substantial regulatory support. The compound received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and was granted PRIME designation by the European Medicines Agency, both recognizing the potential to address unmet medical needs in oncology.

Clinical development has progressed favorably, with Phase 2 trial results presented at the November 2024 Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Conference demonstrating encouraging efficacy when combined with pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent or metastatic HPV16-positive head and neck cancers in the first-line setting. By the end of 2025, trial close-out activities had been completed, positioning the program for continuation under NeoTrail’s development framework.

HB-700 Enters Clinical Phase with KRAS-Mutation Focus

Another key component of the transferred assets, HB-700, represents an innovative approach to treating multiple malignancies driven by KRAS mutations. This arenaviral immunotherapy candidate targets lung cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and related malignancies where KRAS mutations drive disease progression. The program achieved a significant milestone in April 2024 when it received Investigational New Drug (IND) application clearance from the FDA, positioning it as Phase 1-ready with clinical trial material manufacturing already completed.

Broader HB Pipeline Remains Part of HOOKIPA’s Portfolio

Beyond the transferred programs, HOOKIPA continues to advance a diverse immunooncology pipeline. The company maintains development programs including HB-300 for prostate cancer, HB-400 for Hepatitis B treatment, and HB-500 for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). These candidates leverage the same proprietary arenavirus platform technology, demonstrating the versatility of HOOKIPA’s approach to infectious disease and oncology.

Strategic Rationale and Market Response

According to Mark Winderlich, Chief R&D Officer at HOOKIPA, “We are delighted that the clinical development of these promising therapeutics will continue at NeoTrail with an opportunity to deliver patient benefit in multiple major market indications.” The transfer allows NeoTrail, a privately held biopharmaceutical firm, to advance HB-200 and HB-700 through later-stage development while HOOKIPA potentially focuses resources on other strategic priorities.

The market has shown interest in HOOKIPA’s transition strategy. Over the past 12 months, the company’s stock has fluctuated between $0.72 and $1.96, reflecting the inherent volatility in clinical-stage biotech companies. Recent trading activity demonstrates investor engagement with the company’s portfolio decisions and future direction.