Abogen Announces Licensing and Option Agreement with Novartis to Advance mRNA-Encoded T-Cell Engager and other potential RNA programs
The agreement gives Novartis an exclusive worldwide license to ABO2203 and options on other RNA programs, with up to $7.2 billion in milestones.
- On Friday, October 2, 2026, Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis signed a licensing agreement with Chinese biotech Abogen Biosciences to develop mRNA-encoded therapies for autoimmune diseases, with total deal value reaching up to $7.8 billion.
- The agreement centers on ABO2203, an experimental CD19xCD3 T-cell engager designed to treat B-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases; the therapy uses mRNA to instruct patients' own cells to destroy disease-causing B-cells.
- Abogen Chief Executive Officer Bo Ying said the pact underscores the "broad potential of our RNA platform," while Novartis President of Biomedical Research Fiona Marshall added that mRNA-encoded T-cell engagers could "complement existing therapeutic modalities."
- Novartis stock slipped 0.5% during Friday's session, though Gillian Hollenstein, lead manager at Point Capital Navigator Fund, noted the deal carries a "better risk profile" due to its front-loaded structure.
- Securing exclusive options for additional programs, Novartis also agreed to potential milestone payments of up to $7.2 billion if the therapy clears development and commercial hurdles.
35 Articles
35 Articles
Novartis (NYSE: NVS), Sanofi (NASDAQ: SNY) And Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) Lead Pharma's Biggest Deals Of The Week
Drugmakers closed out the week by deploying billions across autoimmune treatments, next-generation obesity pills, and cancer drug combinations. Novartis secured the week’s largest headline figure, inking a deal with China’s Abogen worth up to $7.8 billion for an experimental RNA-based immune therapy. Sanofi committed the week’s largest single cash payment, spending $1 billion upfront to […]
Novartis has concluded an agreement valued at up to $7.8 billion to license a candidate for Chinese medicine from Abogen Biosciences and obtain options on future therapies, in the latest partnership between a large Western pharmaceutical company and an emerging Chinese company. Exclusive material for subscribers. To have full access, access the link of the subject and register.
Novartis strikes about $7.8 billion mRNA deal with China’s Abogen
Oct 2 (Reuters) - Chinese biotech company Abogen said on Friday it signed a licensing and option agreement worth about $7.8 billion with Swiss drug maker Novartis to advance RNA-based therapy. (Reporting by Ruchika Khanna in Bengalu...
InsideNoVA.com
Abogen Announces Licensing and Option Agreement with Novartis to Advance mRNA-Encoded T-Cell Engager and other potential RNA programs
Includes worldwide license to ABO2203, Abogen's mRNA-encoded CD19xCD3 T-Cell Engager
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
