Hinge Bio Reports Positive Results for HB2198 at ACR 2026

Hinge Bio, Inc., a clinical-stage biotech firm focusing on innovative antibody therapeutics, announced encouraging findings related to its leading drug candidate, HB2198. These results were shared at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2026 in Orlando, which took place from November 6 to 11.

Positive Early Findings from Clinical Trials

The company presented valuable clinical data showing early safety and pharmacodynamic activity of HB2198 in healthy volunteers. These insights were complemented by preclinical data, reinforcing the drug's potential effectiveness in treating B-cell-mediated autoimmune conditions.

HB2198 is designed to target the CD19 and CD20 proteins, utilizing advanced dual Fc domains for improved therapeutic outcomes. Hinge Bio is currently running two Phase 1 clinical trials: one involving patients with autoimmune diseases and another with healthy individuals.

Future Potential and Efficacy

Dr. Paul Brunetta, the Chief Medical Officer at Hinge Bio, expressed optimism about the preliminary results, stating that the observed safety and efficacy at low doses encourage ongoing research. The drug aims to provide rapid and thorough B-cell depletion, contributing to immunological remission for patients suffering from autoimmune conditions.

Dr. Brunetta emphasized that HB2198's unique mechanism allows for significant B-cell depletion without activating T-cells, thus reducing the risk of cytokine release and potentially leading to a safer treatment experience compared to existing therapies such as CAR-T or T-cell engagers.

About HB2198 and Its Development

HB2198 originates from Hinge Bio’s proprietary GEM-DIMER™ platform, which is engineered to enhance treatment efficacy and safety for autoimmune disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recent evidence suggests that achieving deeper B-cell depletion can lead to better treatment outcomes across various autoimmune diseases.

Preclinical studies have shown that HB2198 effectively depletes both peripheral and tissue-residing B cells, maintaining a promising safety profile in earlier assessments. The overarching goal is to induce immunological remission through effective and swift B-cell depletion.

Hinge Bio aims to ensure that HB2198 offers competitive advantages in safety, accessibility, and cost, positioning it favorably against T-cell-based therapies.

About Hinge Bio

Hinge Bio, Inc. is dedicated to advancing the next generation of therapeutics targeting immune-mediated diseases and cancer. By utilizing the GEM-DIMER™ platform, the company develops multivalent, multi-specific antibody therapeutics with optimized biological activity and functionality. With a primary focus on autoimmune diseases, Hinge Bio continues to expand its pipeline of innovative treatments.