BOSTON, July 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Arbele Limited, a Hong Kong-based biotech company, was awarded first place at the 4th Biomedical Pitch Competition, hosted by the Boston Capital Investment Club (BCIC). Selected from over 170 companies across the U.S. and Asia, Arbele stood out for its groundbreaking research in CDH17-targeted immunotherapy and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
Arbele is developing novel treatments for gastrointestinal cancers by targeting cadherin-17 (CDH17), a highly selective marker broadly expressed in digestive tract malignancies. Its lead candidate, Cabotamig (ARB202), is a novel “first-in-class” T-cell engager designed to bind CDH17 and CD3 for treating a large spectrum of GI cancers. The therapy has demonstrated high tumor target safety and survival outcomes in patients with heavily pretreated and drug-resistant tumors similar to other T-cell engagers in solid tumors in Phase I clinical study.
In addition to cabotamig, the company is advancing multiple ADC programs, including biparatopic and bispecific targets plus novel/dual payloads, with planned regulatory submissions in the U.S. and China. Arbele’s differentiated platform, balancing tumor specificity with minimized off-target toxicity, was commended by the judges panel for its clinical potential and translational readiness.
Keynote speakers at the event included Mr. Albert Wong, CEO of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), who spoke about Hong Kong’s growing biomedical ecosystem and cross-border innovation. Dr. Qiusong Tang, Head of the Roche Accelerator, also shared his insights on external innovation strategies from Roche and highlighted the importance of scalable, clinically viable startups.
Fierce Competition, Global Impact
The 2025 competition drew over 170 applications, with 17 finalists selected. Arbele’s win marks significant international recognition for its CDH17-targeting platform and adds momentum to its fundraising, regulatory, and commercialization efforts.
Since its launch in 2022, the competition has facilitated over $100 million in investment deals.
About Arbele
Arbele Limited is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing potential first-in-class and best-in-class immunotherapies for digestive tract cancers. With strategic focus on CDH17-targeted T-cell engagers and antibody-drug conjugates, Arbele’s mission is to improve survival outcomes for patients with limited treatment options. Learn more at www.arbelebio.com
About BCIC
The Boston Capital Investment Club (BCIC) connects early-stage companies with more than 300 institutional and angel investors globally. With deep expertise in business development, incubation, and strategic partnerships, BCIC has become one of North America’s most influential cross-border investment platforms. Learn more at www.bcicglobal.org
For Press Contact:
Dr. Diana Hay, diana.hay@arbelebio.com
For BD & Partnering Inquires:
Mr. Alex Wang, alex.wang@arbelebio.com
