ABL Bio
ABL Bio is a South Korean clinical-stage biotech developing bispecific antibody therapeutics in oncology and neurodegenerative diseases via proprietary Grabody platforms, monetized primarily through out-licensing deals with global pharmaceutical partners such as Sanofi, Eli Lilly, and GSK.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersSeongnam, South Korea
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ABL Bio does
ABL Bio is a South Korea-based clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2016 and listed on the KOSDAQ exchange (ticker 298380). The company specializes in the discovery and development of bispecific antibody therapeutics, with primary focus areas in immuno-oncology and neurodegenerative diseases. ABL Bio's core technology rests on three proprietary platforms: Grabody-T (4-1BB agonism for oncology), Grabody-B (blood-brain barrier shuttle for CNS-targeted therapeutics), and Grabody-I (immune checkpoint modulation). The company is also developing bispecific antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) using N-terminal selective conjugation technology, which has been spun out into NEOK Bio. Its clinical pipeline includes givastomig (CLDN18.2 x 4-1BB, partnered with Compass Therapeutics), tovecimig (4-1BB x 5T4), and ABL301 (alpha-synuclein x IGF1R for Parkinson's disease, partnered with Sanofi).
ABL Bio operates a B2B out-licensing business model, monetizing its platforms and pipeline assets through upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties from global pharmaceutical partners rather than through direct product commercialization. Headline deal value across disclosed partnerships exceeds $6 billion (Sanofi $1.06B in 2022, GSK $2.5B in 2025, Eli Lilly $2.6B in 2025), though the vast majority of these figures are back-end-loaded milestone and royalty potential. Upfront cash receipts, equity investments, and milestone payments drive near-term revenue, which is inherently lumpy. The company has also secured U.S. regulatory designations — FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug status for both givastomig and tovecimig — which materially de-risk the lead oncology assets and strengthen partner economics. ABL Bio is headquartered in Seongnam, South Korea, with 51-100 employees, and has begun expanding its U.S. footprint via the NEOK Bio spin-off and strategic equity from Eli Lilly.
ABL Bio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ABL Bio
- Legal name
- ABL Bio, Inc.
- Website
- https://ablbio.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- ABL Bio is a South Korean clinical-stage biotech developing bispecific antibody therapeutics in oncology and neurodegenerative diseases via proprietary Grabody platforms, monetized primarily through out-licensing deals with global pharmaceutical partners such as Sanofi, Eli Lilly, and GSK.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ABL Bio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics & Platform Licensing
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Regulatory Strategy & IND/NDA/BLA Submissions Support (HLAIALAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Clinical Trial Pharmacy & IMP Management at Site (HLAGACAK)
Keywords
Where ABL Bio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seongnam
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
ABL Bio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Technology Licensing: ABL Bio licenses its bispecific antibody platforms and pipeline candidates to global pharmaceutical companies. Deals include upfront payments, milestone payments tied to development and regulatory achievements, and royalty payments on product sales. Notable deals include GSK ($2.5B for neurodegenerative diseases), Eli Lilly ($2.6B for Grabody platform), Sanofi ($1.06B for ABL301).
- Milestone Payments: Development milestone payments received upon achievement of specific clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones. Examples include $40M upfront + $15M equity from Lilly, $7.5M upfront from Sanofi for ABL301, and various milestone payments from Compass Therapeutics for ABL001 progress.
- Royalty Revenue: Future royalty payments anticipated from commercialized products developed through partnerships. CEO projected that ABL001 royalty revenue in 2027 will significantly transform the company's financial profile.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
ABL Bio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ABL Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops proprietary bispecific antibody therapeutic platforms and pipeline candidates for immuno-oncology, neurodegenerative diseases, and antibody-drug conjugates. The company generates revenue primarily by licensing its Grabody-T, Grabody-B, and Grabody-I platforms and pipeline assets (such as ABL111, ABL503, ABL301, ABL001) to global pharmaceutical partners via upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties.
Product overview
ABL Bio is a South Korean bispecific antibody biotech company with three proprietary platform technologies: Grabody-T (4-1BB-based immuno-oncology platform), Grabody-I (immune checkpoint bispecific platform), and Grabody-B (BBB shuttle platform for neurodegenerative diseases). The company operates a diverse pipeline including clinical candidates like Givastomig (ABL111) for gastric cancer, Ragistomig (ABL503), ABL501, and ABL301 (licensed to Sanofi for Parkinson's). Their ADC programs include ABL206 and ABL209 being developed through subsidiary NEOK Bio. Multiple programs are partnered with global pharma including Eli Lilly (Grabody-B), GSK (BBB platform), Sanofi (ABL301), and Compass Therapeutics (ABL001).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Grabody-T: 4-1BB based bispecific antibody platform for immuno-oncology that activates T cells only in tumor microenvironment
- Grabody-B
- Grabody-I
Products and services
- Grabody-T Platform A 4-1BB-based bispecific antibody platform that activates T cells only in tumor microenvironments where tumor antigens are present, minimizing systemic toxicity associated with traditional 4-1BB immunotherapy. Licensed to global pharmaceutical partners as a development engine.
- Grabody-B Platform A blood-brain barrier (BBB) shuttle platform that uses IGF1R targeting to maximize delivery of therapeutic antibodies into the brain for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Achieves 7x or higher BBB penetration versus monoclonal antibodies in preclinical studies.
- Grabody-I Platform An immune checkpoint bispecific antibody platform designed to overcome limitations of conventional PD-(L)1 therapy by targeting multiple immune checkpoint pathways.
- Givastomig (ABL111) Bispecific antibody targeting Claudin 18.2 and 4-1BB for treatment of gastric cancer, jointly developed with NovaBridge Biosciences. Received FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations. Demonstrated 75% objective response rate and 16.9-month median progression-free survival in Phase 1b trial.
- Ragistomig (ABL503) Bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and 4-1BB for immuno-oncology applications, designed to minimize 4-1BB toxicity while augmenting T-cell activation. Jointly developed with NovaBridge Biosciences.
- ABL501 Bispecific antibody targeting LAG-3 and PD-L1 immune checkpoint pathways to overcome resistance and low response rates in conventional PD-(L)1 therapy.
- ABL301 (SAR446159) Bispecific antibody for Parkinson's disease using Grabody-B platform to deliver alpha-synuclein targeting antibodies across the blood-brain barrier. Licensed to Sanofi for global development.
- ABL001 (Tovecimig) Bispecific antibody targeting VEGF and DLL4 for treatment of solid tumors, particularly biliary tract cancer. Licensed to Compass Therapeutics.
- ABL206 (NEOK001) First-in-class bispecific ADC targeting B7-H3 and ROR1 with topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, developed through NEOK Bio subsidiary for advanced solid tumors.
- ABL209 (NEOK002) Bispecific ADC targeting EGFR and MUC1 with topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, developed through NEOK Bio subsidiary for advanced solid tumors.
- ABL105 (Nesfrotamig) Bispecific antibody targeting HER2 and 4-1BB for solid tumor treatment, licensed to Yuhan Corporation for Korea and Australia development.
- ABL103 Bispecific antibody targeting B7-H4 and 4-1BB for solid cancer treatment, designed to activate T cells only in B7-H4 expressing tumor microenvironments.
- ABL202 (CS5001/LCB71) ROR1-targeting ADC developed in partnership with LegoChem Biosciences and licensed to CStone Pharmaceuticals for global development excluding Korea.
Quantifiable outcome
- 75% objective response rate (ORR) and 16.9-month median progression-free survival for givastomig (ABL111) in Phase 1b trial
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use ABL Bio
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ABL Bio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
ABL Bio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Eli LillyflagshipLicensing, research, and collaboration agreement for Grabody platform worth $2.6 billion total. ABL Bio received $40 million upfront payment and $15 million equity investment from Lilly. The agreement aims to advance the Grabody platform for therapeutic development in areas including obesity and muscle disorders.
- NeoK BiocoreABL Bio's US subsidiary developing bispecific ADCs ABL206 (NEOK001) and ABL209 (NEOK002). Launched with $75M Series A financing led by ABL Bio. Phase 1 clinical trials initiated.
- GSKflagship$2.5 billion licensing agreement for development of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases using Grabody platform.
- MSD (Merck)minorClinical trial collaboration and supply agreement for ABL103 with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) combination therapy in advanced/metastatic solid tumors.
- SynaffixcoreLinker-payload technology licensing agreement for next-generation bispecific ADC development.
- IntoCellcoreLinker-payload technology partnership for bispecific ADC development.
- Ionis PharmaceuticalscoreCollaboration on siRNA and Grabody-B conjugation demonstrating delivery to cerebellum and various brain regions, muscle, heart, and lungs. Research presented at TIDES USA 2026.
- Sanofiflagship$1.06 billion co-development and licensing agreement for ABL301 (Parkinson's disease treatment using Grabody-B platform). Includes $750M upfront payment and milestones. Sanofi responsible for Phase 2+ clinical development.
- Yuhan CorporationcoreLicensed ABL105 (HER2x4-1BB) for development in Korea and Australia. Phase 1/2 clinical trial being conducted by Yuhan.
- NovaBridge Biosciences (formerly I-Mab)coreJoint development of ABL111 (Givastomig) targeting Claudin 18.2 and 4-1BB for gastric cancer; ABL503 (Ragistomig) targeting PD-L1 and 4-1BB for solid tumors. FDA Fast Track designation obtained for givastomig.
- LegoChem BiosciencescoreExpanded ADC technology cooperation including bispecific antibody ADCs. Previously successful licensing of ABL202 (LCB71) to CStone. Four joint projects ongoing including next-generation ADC development.
- CStone PharmaceuticalscoreLicensed ABL202 (ROR1 ADC, CS5001/LCB71) for global development excluding Korea. $117M exclusive China licensing deal by TRIGR and Elpiscience included this asset.
- Compass TherapeuticscoreLicensed ABL001 (Tovecimig) for global development excluding Korea and Greater China. Compass conducting Phase 2/3 COMPANION-002 trial in biliary tract cancer. FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations obtained.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ABL Bio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Xencor: Clinical-stage biotech developing engineered bispecific antibodies using the XmAb platform, with multiple pharma partnerships and pipeline assets in oncology. Comparable technology platform and licensing-based business model.
- Macrogenics: Clinical-stage oncology biotech developing bispecific antibodies (e.g., vobramitamig duocarmazine, enoblituzumab) with multiple Big Pharma partnerships. Comparable in pipeline scope and target indications.
- Denali Therapeutics: Biotech developing BBB-penetrant therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, sharing ABL Bio's Grabody-B strategic focus. Closely comparable in CNS delivery technology and target indications (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's).
- Maverick Therapeutics (acquired by Takeda): Developed T cell-engaging bispecific antibodies using the COBRA platform. Highly comparable technology approach (conditional 4-1BB-like activation) and was acquired by Takeda in 2021, representing a potential exit path for ABL Bio.
- Genmab: Danish biotech pioneer in bispecific antibody technology with the proprietary DuoBody platform. Most directly comparable peer in technology, business model (platform licensing), and target indications (immuno-oncology).
- Compass Therapeutics: Clinical-stage bispecific antibody developer and ABL Bio's licensee for ABL001 (Tovecimig). Direct operating peer with overlapping pipeline in oncology and similar partnership-driven model.
- Zymeworks: Clinical-stage biotech with the Azymetric and ZymeLink platforms for bispecific antibodies and ADCs. Direct competitor in both bispecific antibody and ADC spaces with similar licensing-driven revenue model.
- LegoChem Biosciences: Korean biotech developing ADCs including the LCB71 (ABL202) platform that ABL Bio licensed to CStone. Direct technology partner and Korean biotech peer with overlapping ADC pipeline.
- Harpoon Therapeutics (acquired by Merck): Developed T cell engagers and bispecific antibodies including HPN328. Acquired by Merck for $680M in 2024, providing a relevant M&A comparable for ABL Bio's platform-licensing business model.
Emerging players
- I-Mab Biopharma / NovaBridge Biosciences: Co-development partner on ABL111 (Givastomig) and ABL503 (Ragistomig). Asian emerging biotech with comparable bispecific antibody pipeline and strategic transformation plans relevant to ABL Bio's growth model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ABL Bio social profiles
Digital presenceABL Bio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ABL Bio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
ABL Bio subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
ABL Bio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors11 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ABL Bio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ABL Bio
What does ABL Bio do?
ABL Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops proprietary bispecific antibody therapeutic platforms and pipeline candidates for immuno-oncology, neurodegenerative diseases, and antibody-drug conjugates. The company generates revenue primarily by licensing its Grabody-T, Grabody-B, and Grabody-I platforms and pipeline assets (such as ABL111, ABL503, ABL301, ABL001) to global pharmaceutical partners via upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties.
Is ABL Bio a public or private company?
ABL Bio is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was ABL Bio founded?
ABL Bio was founded in 2016. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is ABL Bio based?
ABL Bio is headquartered in Seongnam, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does ABL Bio make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Technology Licensing is the primary driver. The others are milestone Payments and royalty Revenue.
Who are ABL Bio's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Xencor, Macrogenics, Denali Therapeutics, Maverick Therapeutics (acquired by Takeda), Genmab, Compass Therapeutics, Zymeworks, LegoChem Biosciences and Harpoon Therapeutics (acquired by Merck). I-Mab Biopharma / NovaBridge Biosciences is listed as an emerging player.
Does ABL Bio have an API?
No public API is recorded for ABL Bio.
What industry is ABL Bio in?
ABL Bio's product category is Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics & Platform Licensing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIALAH, Regulatory Strategy & IND/NDA/BLA Submissions Support, with a secondary code of HLAGACAK, Clinical Trial Pharmacy & IMP Management at Site. Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2834.