ProBio and AbTis Partner to Develop Next-Generation Cancer ADC

ProBio has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with South Korean biotechnology company AbTis to develop a new antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) for cancer treatment. The agreement will combine ProBio’s antibody discovery expertise with AbTis’ specialised technology to advance a new cancer drug candidate.

Announced on November 10, 2026, the agreement gives AbTis exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise an early-stage therapeutic antibody asset discovered through ProBio’s biologics research and development capabilities. The antibody targets a cancer-related target, although the companies have not disclosed further details about the target or the potential drug.

Under the agreement, AbTis plans to use its proprietary AbClick® site-specific conjugation platform to develop the antibody into a next-generation ADC. The company also aims to expand its pipeline of bispecific antibody-drug conjugates through this programme.

ADC drugs are designed to deliver cancer-killing medicines directly to cancer cells. They combine an antibody that recognises a specific target on cancer cells with a powerful drug that can destroy those cells. This approach aims to limit damage to healthy tissues while improving the treatment’s effectiveness.

AbTis’ AbClick® platform is designed to attach drug molecules to specific locations on antibodies. Unlike conventional methods, which can result in drug molecules attaching at different positions, site-specific conjugation allows greater control over the process.

This approach may help produce more consistent ADC products and improve their overall characteristics, including stability and drug delivery.

Financial Terms of the Agreement

As part of the licensing deal, ProBio will receive an upfront payment from AbTis. The agreement also includes potential payments based on development and commercial milestones, along with royalties on future product sales. The companies have not disclosed the financial value of the transaction.

Allen Guo, CEO of ProBio, said the agreement demonstrates the company’s strategy of creating differentiated biologics assets that can move into innovative drug development. He added that combining ProBio’s antibody discovery capabilities with AbTis’ site-specific ADC technology could help accelerate the development of the cancer programme.

Dr. Hyungsuk Choi, CEO of AbTis, described the agreement as an important step in advancing the antibody asset towards ADC development. He said the company plans to use its AbClick® platform and work closely with ProBio to move the programme forward.

Strengthening ADC Development

AbTis is a South Korean biotechnology company and a subsidiary of Dong-A ST. It focuses on developing antibody-drug conjugates and other bioconjugate therapies using its proprietary linker technology.

ProBio is a global contract research, development and manufacturing organisation (CRDMO) that supports pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with drug discovery, development and manufacturing. Its capabilities cover biologics, antibodies, mRNA, plasmid DNA, viral vectors and cell and gene therapies.

The latest agreement highlights the growing interest in next-generation ADC technologies, particularly approaches that offer better control over how drugs are attached to antibodies.

By combining ProBio’s discovery capabilities with AbTis’ conjugation platform, the companies aim to advance a new cancer treatment candidate and strengthen their position in the growing ADC development market.