SHANGHAI and HONG KONG, July 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene", SEHK: 6996.HK), a leading innovative, commercial-stage global biotech company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class and/or best-in-class medicines for autoimmune diseases, solid tumors and hematological malignancies, today announced that the company has received a USD 60 million upfront payment from UCB. This payment is made pursuant to the worldwide exclusive license agreement for ATG-201, a CD19/CD3 bispecific T-cell engager (TCE) antibody, entered into between the parties in March 2026.
ATG-201 is a CD19 targeting bispecific TCE incorporating steric hindrance masking technology, designed to eliminate CD19-expressing B cells. This bispecific interaction with T and B cells through CD3 and CD19 has demonstrated potential in treating B cell-driven diseases by leveraging the body's own immune system for precise and potent action.
Under the agreement, Antengene grants UCB a worldwide exclusive license to further develop, manufacture, and commercialize ATG-201, along with access to its associated manufacturing technology.
China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved in June this year the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the Phase I ATTRACT study of ATG-201 for the treatment of B cell related autoimmune diseases. Antengene is progressing the Phase I study of ATG-201 in China and concurrently preparing for its clinical development in Australia.
The receipt of the upfront payment from this license agreement with UCB has further strengthened Antengene's cash position, providing robust financial support for the advancement of our innovative drug pipeline and accelerating benefits to more patients.
Under the terms of the global exclusive license agreement Antengene is eligible for additional near-term milestone payments of USD 20 million subject to certain conditions. The agreement also includes the potential for future success-based development and commercial milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties on future net sales.
About Antengene
Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene", SEHK: 6996.HK) is a global, R&D-driven, commercial-stage biotech company focused on developing first-in-class/best-in-class therapeutics for diseases with significant unmet medical needs. Its pipeline spans from preclinical to commercial stages, with key investigational candidates including ATG-022 (CLDN18.2 ADC), ATG-037 (oral CD73 inhibitor), ATG-101 (PD-L1 x 4-1BB bispecific antibody), ATG-125 (B7-H3 × PD-L1 bispecific ADC), ATG-207 (αCD3-TGF-β bifunctional fusion protein), as well as T cell engager (TCE) programs developed using Antengene's proprietary AnTenGager® platform.