What Ingenium Therapeutics does

Ingenium Therapeutics, Inc. is a South Korea-based clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in November 2020 as a spin-off of the Korea Research Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnology (KRIBB), commercializing NK cell-based anti-cancer immunotherapy built on roughly two decades of KRIBB research. Its core asset is Gengleucel (formerly IGNK001), an allogeneic Memory NK cell therapy manufactured from healthy donor PBMCs via a proprietary feeder-cell-free cytokine differentiation process, with enhanced activating receptors (CD94, NKG2D, NKp30, NKp44, NKp46), up to 100-fold higher IFN-gamma secretion, and 24-month freeze/thaw stability enabling off-the-shelf use. The lead indication is relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML), where four investigator-initiated trials have enrolled 140+ patients and reported a 37.5% complete remission rate in evaluable patients; the asset received FDA Orphan Drug Designation in 2024 and positive pre-IND feedback enabling direct US Phase 2 entry. The pipeline is expanding into solid tumors via the IG301 in vivo CAR-NK platform (5th-generation mRNA CAR with non-LNP delivery, co-developed with Yale University), IG101 and IG201 ROR1-targeted Target Immune Stimulators (TIS), the TN13 peptide-based p38 inhibitor that restores NK function in TGF-beta-suppressive microenvironments, and the IL-15-embedded Tri-specific Killer Engager (TriKE).

Ingenium's business model is hybrid: clinical-stage development funded by equity (Pre-Series A of 5.7B KRW in April 2022 and Series A of 5.3B KRW in November 2023), non-dilutive grants (10B KRW KIAT CAR-NK national project in 2024, 12B KRW Scaleup Tips in December 2023), and territorial out-licensing. In 2026 it licensed gengleucel to Lipior Bio for China and Japan for up to 235 billion won ($153 million). It also monetizes through KRIBB technology transfer (1545 billion won valuation referenced) and CMO-driven manufacturing partnerships with ENCell and Matica Biolabs (CHA Biotech subsidiary) for US/global clinical supply. Go-to-market is enterprise-led: direct engagement with leading Korean university hospitals (Asan Medical Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital) for sponsored Phase 2 trials, a US subsidiary for American clinical development, an Expanded Use Program, and a dedicated patient inquiry system for international patients. The technology is protected by 11 granted patents across EU, US, and Asia.

Name

Ingenium Therapeutics

Legal name

Ingenium Therapeutics, Inc.

Website

https://ingeniumcell.co.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ingenium Therapeutics is a South Korean clinical-stage biotech developing allogeneic Memory NK cell immunotherapy (Gengleucel) for relapsed/refractory AML and next-generation NK/CAR-NK platforms for solid tumors, serving patients via clinical trials and global licensing partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Cell Therapy / NK Cell Immunotherapy

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (32541)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

NK Cell Therapies (HLAAABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cell Therapy Developers (Allogeneic/Off-the-shelf) (HLAAABAB), Oncology Gene Therapies (incl. oncolytic vectors & gene-modified approaches) (HLAAACAF), Bispecific & Multispecific Antibodies (HLAAAAAF)

Keywords

• NK cell therapy
• Cancer immunotherapy
• Cell therapy platforms
• Acute myeloid leukemia treatment
• Biopharmaceutical development

Headquarters

HQ city

Daejeon

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. NK Cell Therapy Licensing: Licensing of gengleucel for development and commercialization in specific territories. Example: Licensed to Lipior Bio for China and Japan for up to 235 billion won ($153 million).
2. Allogeneic Cell Therapy Products: Future revenue from off-the-shelf NK cell therapy products for cancer treatment, targeting blood cancers and solid tumors.
3. Next-generation Therapy Platforms: Revenue potential from TIS platform products (IG101, IG201) and in vivo CAR-NK (IG301) upon successful development and approval.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Ingenium Therapeutics develops and commercializes allogeneic Memory NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies, with lead product Gengleucel (formerly IGNK001) targeting relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia. The company leverages proprietary cytokine-induced differentiation of healthy donor PBMCs to produce Memory NK cells with enhanced cytotoxicity and 24-month cryostability for off-the-shelf use, and is expanding into solid tumors via IG301 (in vivo CAR-NK), Target Immune Stimulator (TIS) bispecific antibodies (IG101, IG201), TN13 peptide, and TriKE engager platforms.

Product overview

Ingenium Therapeutics is developing a comprehensive portfolio of NK cell-based cancer therapeutics centered on its Memory NK cell therapy platform, Gengleucel (International Non-proprietary Name assigned by WHO in 2023), initially targeting relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia. The company is expanding through multiple technology platforms: IG301 (in vivo CAR-NK) using mRNA/LNP delivery technology for solid tumor applications; IG101 and IG201 (Target Immune Stimulator platforms) employing ROR1-targeting bispecific antibodies; plus supporting technologies including TN13 Peptide and TriKE to enhance NK cell function within the tumor microenvironment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gengleucel: International Non-proprietary Name (INN) proposed by WHO in 2023 for Memory NK platform developed under code IGNK001. Allogeneic memory NK cell therapy for acute myeloid leukemia.
• IGNK001
• TN13 Peptide
• TriKE
• IG301
• IG101 (TIS)
• IG201 (TIS)

Products and services

• Gengleucel (IGNK001) Allogeneic Memory NK cell therapy for treating relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML), manufactured from healthy donor PBMCs using proprietary cytokine differentiation without feeder cells. Off-the-shelf product potential with 24-month freeze/thaw stability and no cytokine release syndrome risk.
• IG301 (In Vivo CAR-NK) Next-generation gene therapy platform combining mRNA-based 5th generation CAR technology with a non-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system to transiently transform NK cells into CAR-NK cells in vivo. Co-developed with Yale University and applicable to both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
• IG101 (Target Immune Stimulator) ROR1-targeting bispecific antibody platform that selectively activates immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME), overcoming limitations of existing ADCs and immuno-oncology drugs and aiming to improve response rates through immune modulation.
• IG201 (Target Immune Stimulator with Dual Payload) Next-generation TIS platform with dual payloads attacking cancer cells through multiple pathways, effective against slow-dividing cancer cells and tumors resistant to existing treatments.
• TN13 Peptide First-in-class peptide-based p38 inhibitor that rescues NK cell function from TGF-β suppression in the tumor microenvironment. Being evaluated for synergy with Gengleucel against solid tumors including lung cancer in preclinical studies.
• Tri-specific Killer Engager (TriKE) NK cell engager platform with embedded IL-15 for enhanced Memory NK cell development and activation, featuring a tailorable antibody region on a common engager backbone targeting specific tumor antigens across multiple cancer types.

Quantifiable outcome

• 37.5% Complete Remission rate in evaluable AML patients
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• ENCellcoreTechnology or Integration · 4 June 2026ENCell signed a contract manufacturing agreement with Ingenium Therapeutics to produce clinical trial materials for gengleucel, an NK cell therapy candidate for acute myeloid leukemia, supporting U.S. clinical development. The therapy has received FDA orphan drug designation and is planned to advance directly into Phase 2 trial following positive feedback from pre-IND meeting.
• Matica Biolabs (CHA Biotech subsidiary)strategicTechnology or Integration · 20 January 2026Matica Biolabs signed a CMO agreement to produce autologous memory NK cell therapies for advanced regenerative medicine. Will handle manufacturing and quality testing. Expands existing collaboration beyond immune cell therapies into broader regenerative medicine field.
• Lipior BiocoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2026Ingenium licensed gengleucel to Lipior Bio for development and commercialization in China and Japan for up to 235 billion won ($153 million), highlighting the therapy's commercial potential.
• KBIOHealth (Osong Advanced Medical-Health Industry Development Foundation)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Strategic MOU signed for global market entry support. Key cooperation areas include global market entry support, R&D and technology cooperation, and global investment attraction and corporate support.
• Yale UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborative research in progress with Yale University for CAR-NK development. Selected for 10 billion won CAR-NK national project by KIAT involving Yale University and KAIST for in vivo reprogramming CAR-NK research. Yale collaboration involves non-lipid nanoparticle delivery technology development.
• KRIBB (Korea Research Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnology)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Technology transfer agreement signed with KRIBB for NK cell therapy technology. Asset transfer agreement for NK anti-cancer cell therapy. KRIBB transferred technology for differentiation, mass proliferation of highly active NK cells from hematopoietic stem cells and treatment technologies for leukemia and lung cancer for 1545 billion won.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Nkarta Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing allogeneic, off-the-shelf NK cell therapies for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Directly comparable to Ingenium's gengleucel platform given shared focus on engineered off-the-shelf NK cells for cancer.
• Fate Therapeutics: Develops iPSC-derived NK and T-cell immunotherapies with off-the-shelf manufacturing. Competes in the same allogeneic engineered NK space as Ingenium, including programs targeting AML and solid tumors.
• Celularity: Cell therapy company developing placenta-derived natural killer cells (CYNK-001) and other engineered cell therapies for cancer, sharing both the NK modality and the off-the-shelf commercial positioning with Ingenium.
• ImmunityBio: Develops NK cell-based therapies (haNK, t-haNK) including high-affinity NK cells for hematologic and solid tumors. Direct overlap with Ingenium's Memory NK approach in both target indications and engineered NK strategy.
• Century Therapeutics: Builds iPSC-derived allogeneic NK and T-cell therapies with genetic engineering, targeting hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Directly comparable as a next-generation engineered NK platform with off-the-shelf potential.

Emerging players

• Shoreline Biosciences: Develops iPSC-derived allogeneic NK cell therapies for cancer. Focuses on similar indications (AML, MDS, solid tumors) to Ingenium with a parallel NK engineering approach.
• Carisma Therapeutics: Develops engineered cell therapies including CAR-macrophage and CAR-NK approaches. Shares the engineered-cell modality and oncology focus, though primary product class differs from Ingenium's NK focus.

Broad incumbents

• Cellectis: Clinical-stage gene-editing company with off-the-shelf CAR-T and engineered NK cell programs (UCART, TALEN platforms). A broader incumbent in engineered allogeneic cell therapy that overlaps with Ingenium's allogeneic NK ambition.

Regional players

• GC Biopharma (formerly Green Cross): Korean biopharmaceutical company developing cell therapies including NK cell-based oncology candidates. A same-geography competitor and partner ecosystem participant compared with Ingenium.
• CHA Biotech: Korean biotech with cell therapy and regenerative medicine focus, parent of Matica Biolabs (Ingenium's CMO partner). Comparable regional cell therapy ecosystem player with overlapping manufacturing infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors7 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 Ingenium Therapeutics