AbbVie to Pay $700 Million for Immuno-Oncology License from IGI Therapeutics

AbbVie has entered an immuno-oncology licensing agreement with IGI Therapeutics potentially worth over $1.9 billion. AbbVie will pay $700 million upfront for exclusive rights to IGI's ISB 2001, a trispecific T-cell engager, for oncology and autoimmune diseases. IGI is eligible to receive up to $1.225 billion in milestone payments and royalties on sales. ISB 2001 is currently in Phase 1 studies for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) has entered an immuno-oncology licensing agreement with IGI Therapeutics, potentially worth over $1.9 billion. The deal involves an upfront payment of $700 million for exclusive rights to IGI's ISB 2001, a trispecific T-cell engager developed using IGI's proprietary BEAT protein platform. The agreement covers oncology and autoimmune diseases, with IGI eligible to receive up to $1.225 billion in milestone payments and royalties on sales [1].

ISB 2001 is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. The trispecific T-cell engager targets BCMA and CD38 on myeloma cells and CD3 on T cells. Early data presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting showed a sustained overall response rate (ORR) of 79% and a high complete/stringent complete response (CR/sCR) rate of 30% at active doses ≥ 50 µg/kg in heavily pretreated patients [1].

Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie will have exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize ISB 2001 across North America, Europe, Japan, and Greater China. The deal marks a significant milestone in IGI's scientific journey and reflects the company's commitment to delivering meaningful therapies for patients with complex diseases [1].

AbbVie, known for its innovative medicines in immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care, is committed to advancing novel therapies for patients with multiple myeloma. The company's expansive oncology portfolio comprises approved and investigational treatments for a range of blood cancers and solid tumors. With this licensing agreement, AbbVie aims to accelerate the delivery of potential breakthrough medicines and address the unmet needs in the oncology field [2].

References:

[1] https://news.abbvie.com/2025-07-10-AbbVie-and-Ichnos-Glenmark-Innovation-IGI-Announce-Exclusive-Global-Licensing-Agreement-for-ISB-2001,-a-First-in-Class-CD38xBCMAxCD3-Trispecific-Antibody
[2] https://www.marketwatch.com/story/abbvie-in-immuno-oncology-licensing-pact-with-igi-therapeutics-36ba56da