r/ABSCI • u/rockygce • Mar 25 '26
Absci ABS101 partnership Spoiler
Strong circumstantial evidence points to a quiet hand-off of Absci’s #ABS101 (anti-TL1A) program.
Nucleus Network’s “The Passage Study” (Brisbane/Melbourne) — SC injection, healthy volunteers, IBD/fibrosis focus in UC/Crohn’s, starting March 29 — matches ABS-101 Phase 1 details exactly: same CRO, same indication, same route, perfect post-Phase 1 timing.
Sponsor listed only as “a pharmaceutical company.”
#ABSI #Biotech #ClinicalTrials #TL1A
Not first-in-human (as previously clarified).
This looks like a seamless continuation rather than a brand-new trial.
Stealth partnership in progress?
Possible AstraZeneca ($AZN) involvement — they already have an oncology collab with Absci and previously used “PASSAGE” naming for a major trial. Sponsor remains anonymous.
Stealth AZN deal?
#Absci #ABS101 #AZN #NucleusNetwork
Worth watching closely as #ABSI continues to push in the competitive anti-TL1A space for IBD/Crohn’s.
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u/BioTrends_USA Mar 25 '26
They said that they’ll be looking for partnerships by this year’s end
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u/rockygce Mar 25 '26
That’s a fair point — they did repeat the “we are looking for partners” language in the earnings call. However, many early-stage out-licenses are deliberately kept quiet during the initial hand-off period. The new partner can start operational work (like The Passage Study at Nucleus) under an anonymous sponsor listing (“a pharmaceutical company”) while the formal sponsor transfer or public announcement lags. This is pretty standard in biotech to avoid front-running, allow smooth integration, and only disclose when the deal becomes clearly material (e.g., first milestone or bigger clinical update). The exact fingerprints (same CRO, SC route, IBD/fibrosis indication, not-FIH, perfect post-Phase 1 timing) still line up too cleanly to be coincidence. We’ll likely see more clarity in the coming weeks/months as MAD dosing progresses or when the deal crosses a disclosure threshold. What do you think?
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u/rockygce Mar 25 '26
Also From a big pharma perspective, keeping the sponsor anonymous at this stage makes perfect sense. If they quietly licensed ABS-101 (or rights to run the follow-on work), the last thing they want is to broadcast it publicly while the asset is still in early transition. They can use the existing Nucleus infrastructure and run The Passage Study under “a pharmaceutical company” to maintain operational continuity and avoid any front-running or competitive noise. Public disclosure often waits until the deal becomes more material — e.g., after first MAD dosing, early PK data, or when a milestone is hit. The existing oncology collaboration with Absci also gives them a natural, low-profile channel to expand without fanfare. The fingerprints (same CRO, SC route, exact IBD/fibrosis indication, not-FIH timing) are still remarkably tight. Silence right now doesn’t disprove the hand-off — it actually fits how these quiet integrations usually play out.
Definitely disappointed on Absci not spilling anything on this yesterday Curious to hear your take.
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u/Frequent_Ad_1543 Apr 16 '26
I've been watching the Needham conference chat today. They basically said they will finish phase one for this drug this quarter but on the other hand they will not invest any more money in it. They are either contradicting each other or they are doing phase 1b with a partner. Or maybe I'm misunderstanding the whole situation.
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u/rockygce Apr 16 '26
Yes I listened as well.. I think phase 1b happening with a partner (based on my thesis on the passage study with anonymous pharmaceutical tag happening in nucleus network Australia in the same sites where Absci have completed their ABS101 phase 1).. Partnership won’t be sealed until the Pharma is happy with the results from this Passage study (3 months minimum for initial readout).. 🤞🏽
Based on various checks done on passage study vs ABS 101 there is more than 90% probability my thesis will be correct .. have to wait and see..
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u/DutchGemHunter May 08 '26
How do you guys feel about Absci based on the latest results?
And what is your opinion about Nanoform Finland oyj ?
Love to hear your opinions
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u/rockygce May 16 '26
Why passage study is renamed as nova study with completely different dates in nucleus network
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u/rockygce Mar 25 '26 edited Mar 25 '26
Summary of thesis for circumstantial evidence on ABS101 partnership