Shares of Connect Biopharma Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:CNTB) rose 11% after the company disclosed positive findings from several clinical studies of rademikibart, its anti-interleukin-4-receptor alpha antibody.
In preliminary data from a Phase 1 clinical pharmacology study, a single 300 mg dose of intravenous rademikibart given as a 2-minute IV push produced rapid improvements in lung function for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Many study participants experienced increases in forced expiratory volume in one second, or FEV1, of at least 200 mL as soon as 15 minutes after dosing. Mean FEV1 improvements of roughly 200-400 mL were maintained through Day 29, according to the company.
Separately, Connect Biopharma reported results from a 52-week Phase 3 trial of rademikibart in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis conducted by its partner Simcere Pharmaceutical in China. The RADIANT-AD trial showed high response rates at Week 52: 96.6% of patients achieved EASI-75, 87.1% reached IGA 0/1, and 85.3% achieved EASI-90. The company said the therapy was well tolerated, with a safety profile comparable to placebo.
Connect Biopharma indicated it expects topline results from the ongoing Phase 2 Seabreeze STAT studies evaluating rademikibart for acute exacerbations in asthma and COPD in mid-2026.
In a separate corporate development, the company announced a private placement of 6,130,000 ordinary shares at $3.25 per share, expected to generate gross proceeds of approximately $20.2 million before fees and expenses. The placement was led by Panacea Venture, identified as the company’s largest current investor, and is expected to close on or about March 31, 2026.
Context and implications
The company’s announcements covered both early-stage pharmacology signals in respiratory disease and longer-term efficacy measures in dermatology from a partner-run study. The Phase 1 pharmacology data describe rapid onset of lung function improvement following a brief IV administration, with reported mean gains sustained to Day 29. The Phase 3 data from RADIANT-AD report high percentages of patients achieving standard clinical endpoints at one year, and safety comparable to placebo was noted.
The financing move is intended to provide additional capital, with the private placement led by an existing large investor and scheduled to close around the end of March 2026.