AbbVie and China‑based RemeGen have entered into a licensing agreement that could be worth up to $4.95 billion, including a $650 million upfront payment, milestone‑based payments, and royalties. AbbVie will receive exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize RC148 outside Greater China, while RemeGen retains rights within China and in other territories where it has a presence.
RC148 is a PD‑1/VEGF bispecific antibody that targets advanced solid tumors such as non‑small‑cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer. The candidate is currently in Phase II clinical trials in the United States and has shown early evidence of antitumor activity when combined with antibody‑drug conjugates (ADCs). The bispecific design seeks to enhance immune checkpoint inhibition while simultaneously blocking angiogenesis, a strategy that may overcome resistance seen with single‑target checkpoint inhibitors.
The partnership aligns with AbbVie’s strategy to diversify beyond its core immunology business and accelerate growth in high‑margin oncology markets. By adding RC148 to its portfolio, AbbVie gains a novel therapeutic that can be combined with its existing ADC programs, such as telisotuzumab adizutecan, potentially creating a new class of combination therapies for solid tumors.
From RemeGen’s perspective, the deal provides significant financial resources and access to AbbVie’s global commercialization expertise. The collaboration is expected to accelerate RC148’s development and market entry outside China, while RemeGen benefits from AbbVie’s scale and experience in oncology marketing.
The announcement was made during the 2026 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, a key venue for deal‑making in the biopharmaceutical industry. The PD‑1/VEGF bispecific space is increasingly competitive, with other major companies investing in similar modalities, but RC148’s early clinical data and RemeGen’s proprietary platform give the partnership a distinct positioning.
"By combining the immune checkpoint inhibition and anti‑angiogenic activity of RC148 together with the targeted cytotoxic activity of ADCs, we have the potential to identify meaningful options for patients across a range of solid tumors," said Daejin Abidoye, M.D., Vice President and Therapeutic Area Head of Oncology at AbbVie. "This collaboration is a significant milestone for RemeGen and underscores our commitment to bringing cutting‑edge therapies to patients worldwide," added Dr. Jianmin Fang, CEO of RemeGen.
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