US-based biotechnology company Kaigene, which specialises in next-generation antibody therapeutics for autoimmune disorders, has signed an exclusive global licensing agreement with South Korean biopharmaceutical giant Celltrion to develop and commercialise two of its nonclinical-stage antibody assets, KG006 and KG002.

Under the terms of the deal, Kaigene will receive an upfront payment of USD 8 million and up to USD 736 million in milestone payments, including USD 11 million in near-term milestones tied to the initiation of Phase 1 clinical trials. The company will also be entitled to tiered royalties on net sales if the product from the collaboration is commercialised.    

Celltrion will obtain exclusive rights to develop and commercialise KG006 worldwide except Greater China and Japan, and will hold worldwide rights for KG002.

Minjae Shin, CEO of Kaigene, said, "Kaigene is a discovery-driven biotech focused on creating innovative antibody therapeutics. Our business model is to provide non-clinical antibody candidates to partners through early partnerships that can accelerate development and commercialisation. We believe that Celltrion, with its world-class infrastructure and fully integrated capabilities across manufacturing, clinical development, regulatory approval and global commercialisation of antibody therapeutics, is the ideal partner to bring Kaigene's innovations to patients worldwide."   

Kaigene’s pipeline is built around its PDEG (Pathogenic Antibody Degrader) platform technology, which selectively targets and degrades pathogenic antibodies involved in autoimmune diseases.

KG006 is described as a next-generation FcRn inhibitor featuring a novel antibody structure that offers extended durability and best-in-class potential over existing therapies. Meanwhile, KG002 is a first-in-class, dual-acting antibody designed to both degrade disease-specific autoantibodies and suppress disease-specific B cells in certain autoimmune disorders.