Alphabet’s Calico inks $596M deal for anti-aging antibody

Calico Life Sciences will pay up to $596 million to license China-based Mabwell Bioscience’s investigational IL-11-targeting antibody, 9MW3811, aimed at treating age-related diseases.

Backstory: Calico, founded by Google’s parent Alphabet and biotech veteran Arthur Levinson, focuses on aging biology. Mabwell has been testing 9MW3811 in Phase 1 trials in China and Australia, and holds an active FDA application to begin U.S. trials.

Why it matters: IL-11 is a cytokine linked to fibrosis and inflammation, making it a promising target in aging-related therapies.

Big picture: As global populations age, biotech investment in longevity science is surging. Calico’s growing pipeline and partnerships (e.g., AbbVie, Broad Institute) reflect a broader race to delay or prevent age-related diseases.

The deal: Calico will pay $25M upfront, with up to $571M in milestone payments to get global exclusivity except in China, where Mabwell retains rights.

What’s next: Calico will first focus on the development of 9MW3811 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with U.S. trials pending FDA approval.