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Kaigene Inc., a US-based biotechnology startup pioneering next-generation antibody therapeutics for autoimmune disorders, has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement withSouth Korea-based Celltrion Inc., a leading global biopharmaceutical company, for two of Kaigene's nonclinical-stage assets, KG006 and KG002.
Under the terms of the agreement, Kaigene will receive $8 million upfront payment and up to $736 million in total milestone payments, including $11 million in near-term milestones through the initiation of Phase 1 clinical trials. Kaigene is also eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales if the product from the collaboration is commercialised. Celltrion will obtain exclusive rights to develop and commercialize KG006 worldwide except Greater China and Japan, and will hold worldwide rights for KG002.
Kaigene's pipeline leverages its PDEG™ (Pathogenic Antibody Degrader) platform technology to selectively degrade pathogenic antibodies that mainly exacerbate various autoimmune diseases. KG006 is a next-generation FcRn inhibitor with a novel antibody structure, offering extended durability and best-in-class potential compared with existing therapies. KG002 is a first-in-class, dual-acting antibody that selectively degrades disease-specific autoantibodies and simultaneously suppresses disease-specific B cells in certain autoimmune disorders.
