Respien taps Sage to seek global partner for Phase 3-ready COPD drug

Respien has hired Sage Healthcare to run a global partnering process for HI-164, a late-stage oral biologic aimed at reducing bacterial exacerbations and hospitalizations in COPD. The move comes as Respien seeks a partner outside Australia and New Zealand to advance Phase 3 development and commercialization.

Why it matters: - COPD affects an estimated 390 million people worldwide and more than 30 million in the United States. - Recurrent exacerbations and hospital admissions drive major patient and healthcare costs. - HI-164 is positioned as an adjunctive therapy for patients with chronic bacterial colonization, a key cause of disease worsening.

What happened: - Respien Pty Ltd appointed Sage Healthcare Ltd and The Sage Group Inc. to lead a global partnering process for HI-164. - The process is aimed at finding global or regional partners outside Australia and New Zealand. - Sage will manage discussions with selected pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. - The announcement was made June 8, 2026.

The details: - HI-164 is an oral biologic designed to prevent bacterial exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and related chronic airways diseases, including non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. - The therapy targets persistent bacterial colonisation, which Respien identifies as a major driver of COPD exacerbations, hospital admissions, healthcare costs and disease progression. - HI-164 has completed two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 studies with more than 500 patients with COPD and chronic airways disease. - The studies showed clinically meaningful reductions in exacerbations and hospital admissions when added to standard of care. - Respien reported reductions of 50% to 73% in hospital admissions across studies and patient subgroups. - The studies also showed improvements in patient quality of life. - Respien believes HI-164 is ready for Phase 3 development. - The proposed Phase 3 program is expected to use established respiratory endpoints, including moderate and severe exacerbations, hospital admissions, microbiology measures and quality-of-life outcomes. - Respien is focusing first on patients with moderate-to-severe airways disease and chronic bacterial colonization.

Between the lines: - The partnering move signals that Respien is shifting from midstage clinical validation toward late-stage financing, development and eventual commercialization support. - The reported Phase 2 results give HI-164 a clinical story built around outcomes that matter to payers and health systems, especially hospital avoidance. - A drug that addresses recurrent infective exacerbations could stand out in a market where COPD remains under-treated and expensive to manage.

What’s next: - Respien will continue seeking a strategic partner to advance HI-164 globally. - Any future partner is expected to help fund and support Phase 3 development and commercialization. - Sage will coordinate negotiations with prospective partners and help shape the transaction process.

The bottom line: - Respien is trying to turn HI-164’s Phase 2 data into a global partnering deal that can carry the drug into Phase 3 and beyond.