UCB and Antengene enter global license agreement for ATG-201, a B cell-depleting bispecific antibody

• UCB obtains worldwide exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize ATG-201, a CD19/CD3 bispecific T-cell engager (TCE) antibody, targeting B cell-related autoimmune diseases
• Deal strengthens UCB’s leadership in immunology and expands capabilities in next‑generation biologics

Brussels (Belgium) and Hong Kong, 3 March 2026 – 23:00 CET – UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, and Antengene Corporation Limited (Antengene), an innovative, commercial-stage global biotech company today announced that they have entered into an agreement that grants UCB a worldwide exclusive license to further develop, manufacture and commercialize ATG-201 and access to its associated manufacturing technology in relation to ATG-201.

T-cell engager’s (TCE’s) targeting B cell depletion, are a class of therapeutic agents designed to selectively target and eliminate B cells, which play a role in various diseases, including autoimmune disorders and certain haematological cancers. Specifically, ATG-201 is a CD19 targeting bispecific TCE 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.

Antengene plans to submit clinical trial applications for ATG‑201 in China and Australia in the first quarter of 2026. Antengene will complete first-in-human phase 1 studies in these two jurisdictions and thereafter transfer further ATG-201 clinical and other development to UCB.

“UCB is pleased to partner with Antengene on ATG-201, a novel B cell-depleting immune cell engager designed to provide a targeted, durable, and scalable treatment option. As a class, T-cell engagers are emerging as an exciting and potentially disruptive therapeutic modality for immunological diseases,” said Alistair Henry, Chief Scientific Officer, UCB. He added, “Access to Antengene’s cutting-edge T-cell engager platform technology enhances our ambition to lead in immunology. It complements our expertise in monoclonal antibodies and novel biologics, demonstrates our inorganic innovation strategy in action, and brings transformational new capabilities that take UCB into the advancing field of bispecific T-cell engagers."

Antengene’s AnTenGager™ platform offers a differentiated T-cell engager approach, where binding of the TCE arm (CD3) is sterically masked in the absence of target antigen binding, providing better tolerability and potent activity.

“We are delighted to partner with UCB, combining our innovative discovery platform and clinical execution capabilities with UCB’s deep expertise and experience in immunology to accelerate ATG-201’s development efficiently and on a global scale,” said Dr. Jay Mei, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Antengene.  “ATG-201, specifically designed for autoimmune diseases, incorporates bivalent CD19 binding, steric hindrance-based masking technology and proprietary CD3 sequence, a strategy designed to enable effective B cell depletion and reduce the risk of cytokine release syndrome (CRS). This collaboration further underscores AnTenGager^TM platform’s unique capability in developing next generation novel TCEs with broad applicability in different therapeutic areas.” 

In return of the license rights granted to UCB, Antengene will receive upfront and near-term milestone payments of USD 80 million and would be eligible to receive future success-based development and commercial milestone payments of up to approximately USD 1.1 billion, as well as tiered royalties on future net sales. Further financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.