ABION, Inc.

- Accelerating preclinical development toward IND submission in H1 next year, positioning ABN202 as a potential game changer in oncology SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #AACR2026 -- ABION (KOSDAQ, 203400), a precision oncology therapeutics developer, announced that its next-generation immuno-oncology candidate, ABN202, demonstrated a superior anti-cancer mechanism compared with TROP2-targeting antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in preclinical studies. The findings will be presented as a poster at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR 2026), to be held April 17–22 in San Diego, USA. ABN202 is a next-generation immuno-oncology drug candidate based on the company’s proprietary iRAC (Interferon-β Antibody Conjugate) platform, designed to enable both direct tumor cell killing and robust immune activation. In the study, ABN202 demonstrated a superior anti-cancer mechanism compared with currently approved TROP2-targeting ADCs. Notably, ABN202 overcame resistance to TROP2-targeting ADCs and showed superior anti-tumor efficacy compared with ADCs combined with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors in preclinical models. In addition, ABN202 induced sustained and systemic CD8-positive T cell-mediated immune responses, suggesting the potential for durable anti-tumor immunity. These findings suggest that ABN202 represents a novel immuno-oncology strategy capable of overcoming resistance associated with existing ADC therapies, highlighting its strong potential as a new treatment option for patients with solid tumors who have failed prior ADC-based therapies. ABION’s first-in-class iRAC platform can be applied not only to TROP2-targeting antibodies but also to a broad range of solid tumor targets. This platform's versatility positions iRAC as a promising next-generation immuno-oncology approach with potential pipeline expansion opportunities. Dr. Young Kee Shin, CEO/CTO of ABION, said, “These results highlight the potential of a differentiated IFN-β-based immuno-oncology strategy to overcome resistance to current ADC therapies. Based on these encouraging preclinical findings, we are also actively exploring strategic partnership opportunities for ABN202, including collaborations at the preclinical stage.” Contacts ABION Jay Chung jhchung@abionbio.com

Vor Bio and RemeGen's market-dividing licensing deal, Otsuka and Harbour BioMed's BCMA T-cell engager pact, and Datroway's second FDA nod made our news this week. A potential $4 billion licensing deal with Vor Bio triggered a slide in RemeGen's stock price. Otsuka obtained a BCMAXCD3 bispecific from Harbour BioMed to develop against autoimmune diseases. AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo's Datroway secured a lung cancer approval from the FDA. And more.1. Vor Bio's surprise $4B revival deal for RemeGen's autoimmune drug triggers divergent stock reactionsOn the brink of shutting down, Vor Bio has been revived by a licensing deal with China’s RemeGen. For $45 million upfront and up to $4.1 billion in milestones, the Massachusetts biotech is gaining ex-China rights to RemeGen’s BLyS/APRIL dual-target fusion protein telitacicept, which is approved in China to treat several autoimmune diseases. However, RemeGen’s stock price dropped sharply after the news.2. Otsuka pens $670M pact to point Harbour's preclinical T-cell engager toward autoimmune diseaseIn another autoimmune-focused deal involving a Chinese biotech, Otsuka agreed to pay Harbour BioMed $47 million upfront for ex-China rights to a preclinical BCMAxCD3 bispecific candidate. While Harbour got the Chinese green light to test the asset in cancer patients, Otsuka plans to test the drug, HBM7020, against autoimmune conditions.3. AZ, Daiichi's Datroway scores its 2nd FDA approval—this time in lung cancer subsetAstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s TROP2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate Datroway has picked up its second FDA nod after a refile. Datroway secured the EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer indication after the companies had withdrawn an earlier application in nonsquamous NSCLC following a phase 3 overall survival miss.4. Corxel, Sciwind post GLP-1 data as China's obesity push gathers paceGLP-1 assets from China are showing their power at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions. Sciwind’s phase 3 data linked its injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist ecnoglutide to a mean weight loss of 15.4% after 48 weeks. Phase 2 data on Corxel and Vincentage’s small-molecule GLP-1 candidate showed a 9.7% weight reduction in 16 weeks when given at a fast titration to the highest dose.5. BrightGene tops Novo drug in diabetes ahead of Zepbound showdownAlso at ADA, China’s BrightGene reported that its GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist BGM0504 topped Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic in Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes in a midstage trial. The drug saw dose-dependent reductions in HbA1c of up to 2.48% after 12 weeks, versus 1.43% for Ozempic and 0.28% for placebo. The biotech also shared phase 2 obesity data comparing BGM0504 against placebo, and the company is pitting the drug against Eli Lilly’s Zepbound in another phase 2 study.6. FDA moves to block Olympus endoscope imports over manufacturing issuesThe FDA warned healthcare providers that it’s shutting down imports of 58 models of aparoscopes, bronchoscopes, nasopharyngoscopes and ureteroscopes, as well as automated cleaners and reprocessing accessories, made by Olympus. The agency cited concerns around quality requirements at a production site in Japan.Other News of Note:7. GSK, Bharat Biotech to slash the price of first malaria vaccine to less than $5 per dose by 20288. Hummingbird uses VISTA buzz to secure $290M pact for phase 2-ready tumor drug9. Arbutus regains China rights to potential functional hep B cure as part of strategic rethink10. Korea’s Abion Bio inks $1.3B deal over CLDN3, other cancer targets (Korea Biomedical Review)

Plus Phase II data on ABION’s MET tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals giving up on repurposing its antimalarial drug for Covid-19. Harmony Biosciences’ drug failed the primary goal in a Phase III study and investors reacted by shedding the biotech’s share price $HRMY by about 30% Friday morning. The Pennsylvania drugmaker said its treatment candidate pitolisant did not achieve statistical significance on excessive daytime sleepiness in the randomized withdrawal phase of the INTUNE study, which includes patients with the rare and chronic disease idiopathic hypersomnia. The FDA approved the tablets, sold as Wakix, in 2019 to treat excessive daytime sleepiness in adults with narcolepsy. — Kyle LaHucik