[Edaily Reporter Shin Min-jun] #Abion is seeking to transform itself from a new drug development company into an antibody platform company. While Abion has previously focused on developing new small-molecule drugs, it is now upgrading its business to center on its antibody platform. Having already achieved success in technology transfers, Abion is also aiming for additional technology transfers.

Securing a Foundation as a Platform Company Through the Technology Transfer of a 1.8 Trillion Won Antibody Drug

ABN is shifting from small-molecule drug development to an antibody-based platform business model. Previously, in June of last year, ABN laid the foundation for its business by licensing ABN501, an antibody therapy targeting claudin-3 (CLDN3), for up to $1.315 billion (approximately 1.8 trillion won at the time).

ABN501 is a CLDN3-targeting antibody therapy that completed preclinical trials in April of last year. CLDN3 is a protein that is overexpressed in solid tumors. ABN501 selectively targets CLDN3, which forms tight junctions between cancer cells in various solid tumors, including small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

CLDN3 can be developed into a therapeutic agent for various cancer types using diverse platform technologies, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies. Based on the development status disclosed to date, ABN501 is also the world’s first CLDN3 monoclonal antibody-based pipeline to enter the new drug development phase.

At the time, Abion disclosed the contracting party as an undisclosed company. Abion included four antibodies targeting proteins other than Claudin 3 (CLDN3) in the technology transfer agreement. The counterparty is expected to develop the antibodies transferred from Abion into various drug modalities, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and T-cell engagers (TCEs), based on strategic considerations.

In particular, Abion has granted the counterparty exclusive negotiation rights for monoclonal and bispecific antibodies targeting three other proteins not included in this agreement, leaving the door open for future additional technology transfers.

The reason Abion is attracting attention is the limitless potential for expansion of its antibody platform. When negotiating deals, Abion is considering a strategy of conducting additional technology transfers each time a specific antibody is swapped and combined, rather than selling the platform itself.

In fact, Avion is also pursuing the technology transfer of ABN202, which is regarded as the “next-generation ADC.” ABN202 refers to a platform that combines an antibody with interferon-beta (IFN-β), an immunomodulatory cytokine. While existing ADCs are second-generation anticancer drugs that attach a payload (chemotherapy) to an antibody that targets cancer cells, ABN202 attaches a third-generation anticancer drug—an immunotherapy—to the antibody.

Since ADCs utilize chemotherapy, they carry the side effect of toxicity. However, since immunotherapy activates the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells, it can minimize the side effects associated with toxicity. ABN202 can also expand its indications by changing the antibody attached to the platform. ABN202 is currently being developed as a treatment for breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer by combining it with an antibody that targets TROP2. However, ABN202 has also shown significant efficacy when targeting other antigens such as EGFR, HER2, and B7-H3.

Abion believes that issues such as immune overreactions—which have been cited as drawbacks of interferon-beta—can be adequately controlled. Through glycoengineering, Abion has also improved the productivity and yield of interferon-beta, which had previously been a major challenge. Abion aims to begin Phase 1 clinical trials for ABN202 in the first half of next year.

Pursuing Commercialization of New Small-Molecule Drugs

Abion is

also pursuing the commercialization

of

new small-molecule drugs

. Abion is conducting a global Phase 2 clinical trial of Babamekip (ABN401), a precision-targeted anticancer drug that targets the hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-MET). According to Phase 2 clinical trial results recently presented by Abion at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2026, Babamekip demonstrated excellent efficacy and safety.

Babamekip recorded an objective response rate (ORR) of 55%. The median duration of response (DoR), which indicates the drug’s sustained efficacy, was 14.5 months across the entire patient population. Notably, in the treatment-naïve (first-line) patient group, it reached 19.9 months, raising the potential for long-term therapeutic benefits.

Progression-free survival (PFS), which refers to the period during which the cancer does not progress, was also 10.2 months in the treatment-naïve patient group, leading to assessments that the drug has demonstrated differentiated clinical value compared to existing global competitors. The drug also demonstrated excellent tolerability regarding side effects, a chronic issue with anticancer agents. During the clinical trial, the incidence of treatment-related adverse events of Grade 3 or higher was only 11%. Not a single case of severe side effects (Grade 4 or higher) was reported.

An Avion official stated, “These clinical results objectively demonstrate that Babamekip possesses unrivaled global competitiveness as a next-generation c-MET targeted therapy that simultaneously achieves high response rates, drug persistence, and safety.”

Abion anticipates commercializing Babamekip as early as next year. This is because Babamekip has been designated as an orphan drug, making it eligible for conditional approval. Abion is also pursuing technology transfers for Babamekip.

An Abion official said, “Abion will use ASCO and Bio USA as opportunities to expand discussions on global partnerships and accelerate the technology transfer of our key pipeline,” adding, “Through this, we will leap forward as a global antibody platform company.”