Calico Life Sciences announced a licensing deal with Mabwell Biosciences on Thursday for IL-11 directed therapeutics, including the Chinese firm's clinical asset. The ageing-focused biotech will receive exclusive, global rights to 9MW3811, an anti–IL-11 antibody, outside of China. Financial terms of the tie-up were not disclosed. According to Mabwell, it has explored the potential of 9MW3811 in preclinical studies for age-related diseases. The company has also run Phase I trials in China and Australia evaluating the antibody for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).At least two other companies have an IL-11 programme in development for IPF. Boehringer Ingelheim launched a Phase I study of BI 765423 in 2023 with partner Enleofen Bio, and Lassen Therapeutics is testing its LASN01 in patients with thyroid eye disease as well as IPF.Calico could move 9MW3811 quickly into the clinic, as the candidate has an open investigational new drug (IND) application for a US Phase I trial.