AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) secured exclusive global rights to a novel cancer-fighting antibody from RemeGen Co. on Monday, marking one of the year’s largest oncology licensing agreements as the pharmaceutical giant moves to integrate next-generation bispecifics with its expanding "ADC" platform.
Under the terms of the deal, AbbVie will pay the Chinese biotech $650 million upfront for RC148, a bispecific antibody designed to simultaneously target PD-1 and VEGF pathways.
RemeGen stands to receive as much as $4.95 billion in additional milestone payments if the drug meets certain development, regulatory, and commercial hurdles, alongside tiered double-digit royalties on sales outside of Greater China.
The partnership centers on RC148’s potential to overcome tumor resistance by both unmasking cancer cells to the immune system (PD-1) and cutting off their blood supply (VEGF).
This dual mechanism is increasingly seen as a "backbone" therapy that could enhance the effectiveness of other treatments, particularly antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
AbbVie confirmed it plans to immediately begin exploring RC148 in combination with its own internal ADC assets, including telisotuzumab adizutecan (Temab-A), which targets c-Met overexpressing tumors in lung and colorectal cancers.
RC148 has already shown "favorable antitumor activity" in early Chinese clinical trials when used in combination with ADCs.
By securing rights outside of Greater China, AbbVie is positioning itself to lead the global development of these combination regimens, which analysts believe could eventually replace current standards of care in first-line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).