Alebund Pharmaceuticals and R1 Therapeutics Partner to Advance Novel Hyperphosphatemia Treatment
SHANGHAI, March 17, 2026 – Alebund Pharmaceuticals, a renal-focused biopharmaceutical company, has entered into licensing and equity agreements with R1 Therapeutics, a newly launched clinical-stage biotechnology company, to develop and commercialize AP306, a first-in-class pan-phosphate transporter inhibitor, outside of Greater China. This collaboration aims to address hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) receiving dialysis.
AP306: A Novel Approach to Hyperphosphatemia
AP306 represents a new mechanism of action for managing hyperphosphatemia, inhibiting the active transport of phosphorus through three key phosphate transporters (NaPi-IIb, PiT-1, and PiT-2) in the gastrointestinal tract. Alebund originally discovered AP306 and has completed a Phase 2a study demonstrating significant reduction in serum phosphate levels with good safety and tolerability, with results published in Kidney International Reports.
Financial Details and Collaboration Terms
Under the agreement, Alebund will receive potential milestone payments totaling low triple-digit millions of U.S. Dollars, along with tiered royalty payments in the low double-digit percentage range based on net sales of AP306 in the licensed territory. Alebund similarly holds a substantial non-dilutive equity interest in R1 Therapeutics, allowing for potential future commercial upside through dividends. R1 Therapeutics will lead the global clinical development of AP306, including a planned Phase 2b multi-regional clinical trial (MRCT) in the U.S. And China.
R1 Therapeutics Launch and Funding
R1 Therapeutics launched with an oversubscribed $77.5 million Series A financing round, co-led by Abingworth, DaVita Venture Group, and F-Prime, with participation from Curie.Bio, SymBiosis, and U.S. Renal Care. The company is backed by leading global kidney care providers, including DaVita and U.S. Renal Care.
Statements from Leadership
“This collaboration validates the global potential of AP306 and represents an important milestone for Alebund,” said Gavin Xia, Co-Founder and CEO of Alebund Pharmaceuticals. “By partnering with R1, global kidney care providers, and financial investors, we can accelerate AP306’s global development.”
Krishna Polu, M.D., Co-Founder, President and CEO of R1 Therapeutics, commented, “AP306 represents a new mechanistic approach – blocking the active transport of phosphorus rather than relying on traditional phosphate binding – and the Phase 2a data published in Kidney International Reports demonstrate compelling efficacy and tolerability.”
About Alebund Pharmaceuticals
Alebund Pharmaceuticals is a global, renal-focused biopharmaceutical company with a vertically integrated platform. The company’s portfolio includes seven drug candidates and one commercialized product, Mircera®, targeting a broad range of renal indications.
About R1 Therapeutics
R1 Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing first-in-class therapies for kidney disease. Its lead program, AP306, targets hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis.