Novartis Pays Abogen $575M Upfront for mRNA T-Cell Engager Rights
Suzhou – October 02, 2026 -- Novartis has agreed to pay Abogen Biosciences an upfront fee of USD 575 million to secure worldwide rights to ABO2203, an mRNA-encoded CD19xCD3 T-cell engager for autoimmune diseases, with total deal value reaching up to approximately USD 7.2 billion if all milestones and options are exercised.
Novartis secures exclusive worldwide license to Abogen's lead autoimmune asset ABO2203
The licensing and option agreement grants Novartis an exclusive global license to ABO2203, which Abogen describes as the first mRNA-encoded T-cell engager to enter clinical evaluation for autoimmune diseases. The molecule uses mRNA to direct endogenous production of T-cell engagers in vivo, targeting B-cell depletion through a mechanism the companies say differs from traditional recombinant T-cell engagers.