What Mablink Bioscience does

Mablink Bioscience is a French biotechnology company founded in 2018 and headquartered in Lyon, France, that develops next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for targeted cancer therapy. ADCs combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the potency of cytotoxic drugs, enabling targeted delivery of cancer-killing agents to tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. The company's lead candidate is MBK-103, an ADC targeting solid tumors including ovarian cancer, which it was advancing toward clinical development as of its €31 million Series A funding round in October 2022.

The company operated a pre-commercial, pipeline-focused business model reliant on institutional capital rather than product sales. Across two funding rounds, Mablink raised approximately €35 million: a €4 million seed round in May 2021 led by Elaia Partners, and a €31 million Series A in October 2022 co-led by Sofinnova Partners and Mérieux Equity Partners with participation from existing investors. Its revenue model anticipated future one-time licensing income and eventual commercialization of ADC treatments, with no current product revenue.

Mablink's scientific leadership consisted of co-founder and CSO Warren Viricel and Chief Development Officer Frédérique Brune. Following its Series A, the company's operating status shifted to "acquired," with its web domain now redirecting to Eli Lilly and Company, indicating that Eli Lilly has absorbed Mablink and its ADC platform into its broader oncology portfolio.

Name

Mablink Bioscience

Website

https://mablink.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mablink Bioscience is a Lyon-based biotechnology company that developed next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for targeted cancer therapy, with a lead candidate MBK-103 for solid tumors including ovarian cancer. The company was acquired by Eli Lilly.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oncology Biopharmaceuticals

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) & Antibody Conjugates (HLAAAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Antibody Discovery & Engineering Platforms (display tech, bispecifics, Fc engineering) (HLAAAIAB)

Keywords

• Antibody-drug conjugates
• Oncology therapeutics
• Cancer drug development
• Targeted cancer therapy
• Biopharmaceutical pipeline

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. ADC Pipeline Development: Developing antibody-drug conjugate pipeline for cancer therapy with lead candidate MBK-103 targeting solid tumors including ovarian cancer. Revenue expected from clinical development and eventual commercialization of treatments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Core offering

Mablink Bioscience is a French biotechnology company developing next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for targeted cancer therapy. Its pipeline centers on lead candidate MBK-103, an ADC designed to deliver cytotoxic agents directly to solid tumor cells, including ovarian cancer, while limiting damage to healthy tissue. The company was advancing MBK-103 toward clinical development with the support of a €31 million Series A round.

Product overview

Mablink Bioscience is a French biotechnology company developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer therapy. The company operates with a pipeline approach centered on its lead candidate MBK-103, an ADC targeting solid tumors including ovarian cancer. The company raised €31 million in Series A funding in October 2022 to advance MBK-103 to clinical trials and expand its ADC pipeline.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MBK-103 Lead antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidate being advanced toward clinical development for the treatment of solid tumors, including ovarian cancer. It is intended to selectively deliver a cytotoxic payload to cancer cells using an antibody-targeting approach.

Quantifiable outcome

• €31M Series A funding secured for clinical development

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• ProfoundBio: Clinical-stage ADC biotech with a pipeline of ADCs targeting solid tumors. Comparable to Mablink in product modality and oncology indication focus.
• Tubulis: European (German) preclinical/early-clinical biotech developing next-generation ADCs with proprietary linker and payload chemistry. Closely comparable to Mablink as a European ADC technology platform player.
• Pyxis Oncology: ADC and immuno-oncology biotech developing antibody-drug conjugates and other targeted therapies for solid tumors. Comparable to Mablink in modality, oncology focus, and pipeline approach.
• Heidelberg Pharma: German ADC biotech with proprietary payload technology (Amanitin-based ADCs). Comparable to Mablink as a European ADC platform developer.
• Mersana Therapeutics: Clinical-stage ADC biotech developing next-generation antibody-drug conjugates for cancer. Closely comparable to Mablink in therapeutic focus (oncology ADCs) and stage.
• ImmunoGen: Pioneer in ADC technology with multiple approved ADC products (e.g., Elahere for ovarian cancer). Directly comparable to Mablink as an ADC-focused developer targeting solid tumors, and was itself acquired by AbbVie.

Broad incumbents

• Daiichi Sankyo: Global pharma leader in ADCs through Enhertu and Datroway (with AstraZeneca). Comparable as a dominant ADC player in the same therapeutic space Mablink targets.
• Pfizer: Acquired Seagen in 2023, making Pfizer a top-tier ADC incumbent. Comparable as a strategic acquirer in the ADC space and direct competitor in solid-tumor ADC development.
• Eli Lilly and Company: Global pharma that acquired Mablink Bioscience. Comparable as Mablink's strategic parent and a major oncology/ADC platform incumbent now integrating Mablink's technology and lead candidate.
• AstraZeneca: Co-develops Enhertu and Datroway ADCs with Daiichi Sankyo, a leading pharma force in the ADC category. Comparable as a broad incumbent with major ADC assets in solid tumors.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors8 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mablink Bioscience