Celltrion licenses Kaigene anti-APRIL antibody KG013 for up to $580.5 million
Celltrion has licensed Kaigene's next-generation anti-APRIL antibody KG013 in a global agreement worth up to $580.5 million plus royalties.
The agreement grants Celltrion worldwide development and commercialisation rights to KG013, a preclinical fully human monoclonal antibody engineered for an extended half-life and long-acting subcutaneous administration, initially targeting IgA nephropathy.
Kaigene is eligible for up to $580.5 million in aggregate upfront and development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments plus net-sales royalties, while retaining an option to participate in South Korean co-marketing.
Field | Content |
Article Type | Deals |
Companies | Celltrion; Kaigene |
Deal Type | Exclusive global licensing agreement |
Licensor | Kaigene |
Licensee | Celltrion |
Licensed Asset | KG013 |
Therapeutic Area | Nephrology; autoimmune diseases |
Initial Target Indication | Immunoglobulin A nephropathy |
Therapeutic Modality | Fully human monoclonal antibody |
Molecular Target | APRIL |
Asset Characteristics | Half-life-extended anti-APRIL antibody |
Intended Administration | Long-acting subcutaneous administration |
Development Stage | Preclinical |
Licensed Rights | Worldwide development and commercialisation |
Territory | Global |
Total Potential Payments | Up to $580.5 million in aggregate upfront and milestone payments |
Upfront Payment | Amount not disclosed |
Milestone Categories | Development, regulatory and commercial |
Royalties | Additional net-sales royalties; rates not disclosed |
South Korean Rights | Kaigene retains an option to participate in co-marketing in South Korea |
Announcement Date | 22 October 2026 |
What Happened | Celltrion secured exclusive global rights to Kaigene's investigational anti-APRIL antibody KG013. |
Why It Matters | The agreement expands Celltrion's investigational autoimmune and kidney disease portfolio with a long-acting antibody programme targeting APRIL. |
Strategic Rationale | Celltrion gains access to an early-stage antibody candidate while Kaigene receives potential licensing revenue and retains a South Korean co-marketing option. |
Previous Collaboration Context | This KG013 agreement is a distinct asset-specific transaction rather than a repeat of earlier Celltrion-Kaigene collaborations. |
Key Takeaway | Kaigene may receive up to $580.5 million in combined upfront and milestone payments plus royalties; the upfront amount is undisclosed and KG013 remains preclinical. |
What to Watch | Preclinical development, clinical trial applications, first-in-human studies, IgA nephropathy efficacy and safety data, and licensing milestones. |
Primary Source | Kaigene via PR Newswire |
Primary Source URL | https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kaigene-enters-into-exclusive-global-licensing-agreement-with-celltrion-for-next-generation-anti-april-antibody-kg013-302916925.html |
Relevant Date | 22 October 2026 |
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