Chinese biotech company Antengene Corporation Limited (SEHK:6996) announced on Monday that the company has received a USD60m upfront payment from UCB (Euronext Brussels:UCB) under the worldwide exclusive licence agreement for ATG-201, a CD19/CD3 bispecific T-cell engager (TCE) antibody.

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 licence to further develop, manufacture, and commercialise ATG-201, along with access to its associated manufacturing technology. Antengene is eligible for additional near-term milestone payments of USD20m 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.

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.