Abogen Announces Licensing and Option Agreement with Novartis to Advance mRNA-Encoded T-Cell Engager and Other Potential RNA Programs
The deal gives Novartis an exclusive worldwide license to ABO2203 and options for additional RNA programs, with up to $7.2 billion in milestones.
- On Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, Swiss drugmaker 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 Abogen's experimental drug candidate ABO2203, which uses mRNA to instruct patients' cells to produce molecules that destroy disease-causing B cells.
- Abogen will receive $575 million upfront and is eligible for up to $7.2 billion in additional milestone payments if the therapy clears development, regulatory, and commercial hurdles, the company said.
- Novartis stock slipped 0.5% during Friday's session, though Gillian Hollenstein, lead manager at Point Capital Navigator Fund, told Reuters the front-loaded structure offers a better risk profile.
- This deal follows a September episode where two late-stage clinical failures cost the Swiss company roughly $30 billion in market capitalization, though Novartis defended its dealmaking philosophy.
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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
Novartis signs agreement of up to $7.8 billion with Chinese Abogen for mRNA therapy, in the middle of Big Pharma's race for innovation in China
The Swiss pharmaceutical company is investing in Abogen's technology. It acquires rights to an mRNA therapy aimed at treating autoimmune diseases, in a deal that could total $7.8 billion.
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