South Korean biopharmaceutical company Celltrion has acquired exclusive global development and commercialisation rights to Kaigene’s investigational monoclonal antibody, KG013, in a deal worth up to Won769bn ($580m).
The financial package includes an upfront payment alongside milestone payments tied to specific development, regulatory, and commercial targets.
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Royalties on net sales remain separate from the package. Kaigene also retains an option to co-market the candidate in South Korea under the contract.
KG013 is a fully human antibody designed with femtomolar binding affinity and an extended half-life for long-acting subcutaneous delivery.
It targets A Proliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL), a signalling protein that sustains plasma cell survival and immunoglobulin production, to suppress harmful IgA and IgM antibodies.
Researchers are formulating the candidate to provide durable target inhibition at lower doses and across extended intervals, aiming to reduce the administrative burden for patients facing prolonged treatment.
The primary target indication is immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), a progressive renal disorder characterised by the accumulation of damaging IgA-containing immune complexes that provoke kidney inflammation and tissue damage.
Through KG013, Kaigene is broadening its pipeline into IgA- and IgM-mediated autoimmune conditions following its earlier efforts in IgG-mediated disorders.
Kaigene CEO Minjae Shin said: “Kaigene is building a comprehensive portfolio of therapies for pathogenic antibody-mediated diseases, and we believe KG013 has the potential to become a best-in-class treatment for IgA- and IgM-mediated diseases.
“IgAN, our first planned indication, affects approximately 160,000 diagnosed patients in the US alone and is particularly common in Asian populations. Patients, including approximately 30,000 in South Korea, need highly effective treatments with durable benefits.
“By working with Celltrion, a partner with comprehensive infrastructure for the global manufacturing, development and commercialisation of antibody therapeutics, we aim to bring KG013 to patients worldwide and make a meaningful contribution to care in South Korea.”
Kaigene is a US-based biotechnology company which develops autoimmune therapeutics using multiple technology platforms, including NanoBx (Nanobody-based Brain Shuttle), oral peptide therapeutics, multispecific monoclonal antibodies, and PDEGs [pathogenic antibody degraders].
Celltrion is expanding beyond its core biosimilar operations into new drug pipelines through in-house research and external licensing agreements.
