Celltrion Secures Global Rights to Kaigene’s KG013, Expanding Autoimmune Drug Pipeline
Celltrion is strengthening its next-generation drug development portfolio by securing global rights to KG013, an investigational antibody therapy for autoimmune diseases developed by U.S.-based biotechnology company Kaigene.Celltrion announced on October 22 that it had signed a global licensing agreement with Kaigene for KG013, an anti-APRIL antibody candidate designed to target key immune…
Celltrion has strengthened its drug development portfolio by securing global rights to KG013, an experimental antibody therapy for autoimmune diseases developed by U.S.-based biotech company Kaigene. The agreement, signed on October 22, grants Celltrion exclusive rights to develop and market KG013 worldwide. Kaigene retains the option to participate in co-commercialization efforts in South Korea.
The deal is valued at up to $580.5 million, with additional milestone payments contingent on development, regulatory, and commercial milestones.
KG013 is a next-generation antibody designed to target APRIL, a signaling protein involved in the survival and function of antibody-producing B cells. It aims to treat immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), a chronic kidney disease, and potentially other immune-mediated conditions. By focusing on APRIL, KG013 seeks to reduce pathogenic IgA production, a key mechanism in disease development.
Celltrion plans to enhance KG013's potency and prolonged activity compared to first-generation APRIL-targeted therapies, potentially improving treatment convenience and adherence through lower doses and longer administration intervals.
The KG013 partnership adds to Celltrion's growing portfolio of autoimmune drug candidates. Last year, the company acquired rights to two more Kaigene therapies, including KG006, an FcRn inhibitor. These compounds target different immune pathways, offering Celltrion the potential to address a broader range of autoimmune indications. Kaigene specializes in multispecific antibody therapeutics using its Pathogenic Antibody Degrader (PDEG™) platform, designed to break down disease-causing antibodies.
Celltrion aims to leverage its existing global infrastructure and commercial expertise in autoimmune therapies, including biosimilars targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukins (ILs). By combining its innovative drug pipeline with Kaigene's external partnerships, the company plans to strengthen its position in the autoimmune therapeutics market. Success of KG013 will depend on clinical outcomes, long-term safety, dosing convenience, and commercial positioning.
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