Business
Helix Biopharma Corp. Extends LEUMUNA Option with metaShape Pharma for Adipose Tissue-Related and Metabolic Diseases
(TheNewswire) (Toronto, Ontario; February 5, 2026) – TheNewswire - Helix BioPharma...
About this update from Helix Biopharma Corp.
[{"type":"text","content":"Helix Biopharma Corp. Extends LEUMUNA Option with metaShape Pharma for Adipose Tissue-Related and Metabolic Diseases\n(TheNewswire)\n\n\n(Toronto, Ontario; February 5, 2026) – TheNewswire - Helix BioPharma Corp.\n(TSX: “HBP”, OTC PINK: “HBPCD”, FRANKFURT: “HBP0”)\n(“Helix” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage oncology\ncompany shaping a near future where today’s hard-to-treat cancers\nare vincible, today announced the extension of its Research and\nExclusive Option Agreement (the “Agreement”) with metaShape Pharma AG\n(“metaShape”) covering LEUMUNA™ through December 31, 2028.\n\n\n \n\n\nThe Agreement was originally entered into in April 2023\nbetween metaShape and Laevoroc Immunology AG, providing metaShape with\nan exclusive research license and an option to negotiate a commercial\nlicense for LEUMUNA within the field of adipose tissue-related and\nmetabolic diseases. Referred to internally at metaShape as “MS\n001”, the compound is being developed as an orally administered,\nfirst-in-class co-therapy to GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as\nsemaglutide, aimed at improving the selectivity of adipose tissue\nreduction and the durability of weight loss. \n\n\n \n\n\nIn metaShape-led preclinical studies, MS 001 was shown\nto increase inosine and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)\nlevels, supporting enhanced mitochondrial function, increased energy\nexpenditure in adipose tissue, and broader metabolic efficiency.\nConsistent with these effects, treatment with MS 001 in mice\nmaintained on a highly obesogenic diet was associated with improved\nweight loss outcomes and attenuated weight regain following GLP-1\nwithdrawal.   \n\n\n \n\n\n\nFollowing Helix’s acquisition of Laevoroc Immunology\nAG’s assets and related rights in November 2024, as amended, Helix\nbecame the successor licensor under the Agreement.1 In accordance with\npreviously agreed terms, the parties have extended the option period\nthrough December 31, 2028, providing additional runway to advance\nresearch activities and support the progression of the program toward\nclinical-stage development. For Helix, the extension preserves\nlong-term optionality in high-value metabolic indications, while\nmainta...