Abogen Biosciences has entered into a licensing and option agreement with Novartis covering ABO2203 and additional potential programs based on Abogen’s proprietary RNA platform, with the deal carrying up to approximately $7.8 billion in upfront and potential milestone payments.
Under the agreement, Abogen will receive $575 million upfront and could receive up to approximately $7.2 billion in additional development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments if all options across all programs are exercised and the applicable milestones are achieved.
Abogen may also receive royalties on future product sales.
Novartis is receiving an exclusive worldwide license to ABO2203, Abogen’s lead mRNA-encoded CD19xCD3 T-cell engager, along with exclusive options to license several additional next-generation therapeutic assets developed through Abogen’s RNA platform.
ABO2203 is being developed for autoimmune diseases and is designed to reset B cells by using mRNA to direct the body’s own production of T-cell engagers in vivo.
Abogen said the approach could provide a differentiated method of B-cell depletion compared with traditional recombinant T-cell engagers.
The company described ABO2203 as the first mRNA-encoded T-cell engager to enter clinical evaluation for autoimmune diseases.
The agreement expands Abogen’s RNA technology beyond prophylactic vaccines and into therapeutic applications spanning autoimmune diseases and other potential targets.
Abogen has built an AI- and automation-driven mRNA and lipid nanoparticle platform covering mRNA design, formulation development and large-scale GMP manufacturing.
Its broader pipeline includes oncology, autoimmune and vaccine programs. The company’s lead vaccine candidate, ABO1108, is a lyophilized mRNA shingles vaccine undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials in China.
The Novartis transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including required regulatory clearances.
KEY QUOTES:
“This agreement marks an important milestone for Abogen, underscoring the broad potential of our RNA platform to expand beyond prophylactic vaccines. ABO2203 is the first mRNA-encoded T-cell engager to enter clinical evaluation for autoimmune diseases, reflecting our commitment to delivering differentiated, accessible and scalable therapies for patients with B-cell-mediated disorders. We are thrilled to be able to accelerate ABO2203 and unlock new therapeutic targets through this agreement with Novartis.”
Bo Ying, Chief Executive Officer of Abogen
“Achieving effective and durable immune reset remains an important goal across a number of autoimmune diseases. mRNA-encoded T-cell engagers represent an innovative approach that could complement existing therapeutic modalities by enabling in vivo production of these molecules. We look forward to further developing the potential of ABO2203 and additional possible applications of Abogen’s RNA platform.”
Fiona Marshall, President of Biomedical Research at Novartis
