AbelZeta
AbelZeta is a private, US-China headquartered clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing autologous CAR-T cell therapies for hematologic malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and solid tumors, generating revenue by out-licensing pipeline assets to multinational pharmaceutical partners such as AstraZeneca and Janssen Biotech.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersRockville, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AbelZeta does
AbelZeta (legal entity AbelZeta Inc., Delaware) is a global, private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing autologous cell-based therapeutics, anchored on a Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CAR-T) platform that spans mono-specific, bi-specific (dual-targeted), and armored CAR designs. The company was founded around 2015 (firmographic record indicates 2009) and operates centers of excellence with in-house GMP manufacturing in Rockville, Maryland and Shanghai, China, employing 101–250 staff across the two geographies. Its clinical pipeline addresses three therapeutic areas: hematologic malignancies (C-CAR039/Prizloncabtagene Autoleucel, a CD19/CD20 bispecific for relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma; C-CAR066, an anti-CD20 candidate for large B-cell lymphoma after CD19 CAR-T failure), inflammatory and immunological diseases (C-CAR168, a CD20/BCMA bispecific with FDA RMAT designation for refractory SLE including lupus nephritis), and solid tumors (C-CAR031, a GPC3-targeting armored CAR-T incorporating AstraZeneca's dnTGFβRII platform for hepatocellular carcinoma; plus a TIL therapy platform). Early clinical readouts have been notable for best-in-class and best-in-disease potential across multiple assets.
AbelZeta operates a sales-led, partnership-driven business model in which it advances candidates through Phase I/II investigator-initiated trials (IITs) to generate proof-of-concept data, then out-licenses global development and commercialization rights to multinational pharmaceutical partners. Revenue is generated via licensing upfronts, development and regulatory milestones, sales milestones, and royalties, rather than direct product sales. Two anchor partnerships are disclosed: a 2023 license of two CD20-directed autologous CAR-T products to Janssen Biotech, and a January 2026 transaction in which AstraZeneca acquired AbelZeta's remaining 50% share of China rights to C-CAR031 for up to $630 million, consolidating AstraZeneca's sole global ownership of the asset. AstraZeneca's broader $15 billion China investment commitment through 2030 positions AbelZeta as a key cell therapy partner. The company has no commercial products, no disclosed revenue, and visibility on cash inflows depends on milestone achievement not publicly detailed.
The company is led by Chairman and CEO Tony (Bizuo) Liu, a 19-year Microsoft finance veteran who also held senior positions at Alibaba Group. Scientific leadership rests with CSO Yihong Yao, previously Director and Head of Pharmacogenomics and Bioinformatics at MedImmune (AstraZeneca's biologics R&D arm). The board was strengthened in 2024–2025 with the additions of former Alibaba CFO Maggie Wei Wu and former China Mengniu Dairy CEO Lu Minfang, reinforcing commercial and financial governance. AbelZeta is privately held, venture-backed, and headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, with no parent company and no public market listing.
AbelZeta firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AbelZeta
- Legal name
- AbelZeta Inc.
- Website
- https://abelzeta.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- AbelZeta is a private, US-China headquartered clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing autologous CAR-T cell therapies for hematologic malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and solid tumors, generating revenue by out-licensing pipeline assets to multinational pharmaceutical partners such as AstraZeneca and Janssen Biotech.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AbelZeta industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cell Therapy / CAR-T Immunotherapy
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- CAR-T & TCR-T Therapies (HLAAABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cell Therapy Enabling Technologies (gene editing, cell engineering, delivery methods) (HLAAABAL), Cell Therapy Developers (Autologous) (HLAAABAA), Cell Therapy Manufacturing Services (GMP, autologous/allogeneic) (HLAAAKAC), Cell Therapy Manufacturing Platforms & Automation (closed systems, bioreactors, fill-finish) (HLAAABAG)
Keywords
Where AbelZeta is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rockville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
AbelZeta business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Licensing and milestone payments: AbelZeta generates revenue through out-licensing its proprietary CAR-T assets to multinational pharmaceutical companies. Partners (e.g., AstraZeneca) pay upfront fees, development/regulatory milestones, and sales milestones/royalties for global rights. Example: up to $630M from AstraZeneca for C-CAR031 China rights acquisition.
- Licensed CAR-T to Janssen Biotech (2023): In 2023, AbelZeta licensed two CD20-directed autologous CAR-T products to Janssen Biotech for global development and commercialization, generating upfront and potential milestone payments.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
AbelZeta product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AbelZeta develops and manufactures autologous CAR-T cell therapies engineered to recognize and attack cancer cells and inflammatory targets. The company advances multiple pipeline candidates — including bispecific CD19/CD20, CD20/BCMA, and armored GPC3 CAR-T therapies — through Phase I/II investigator-initiated trials, then out-licenses global development and commercialization rights to multinational pharmaceutical partners such as AstraZeneca and Janssen Biotech.
Product overview
AbelZeta Pharma is a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative cell-based therapeutic products. The company's core offering is its CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell) therapy platform, which includes mono-specific, bi-specific, and armored CAR-T designs. The product portfolio comprises multiple distinct CAR-T candidates organized across three therapeutic areas: Hematologic Malignancies (C-CAR039/Prizloncabtagene Autoleucel for B-NHL, C-CAR066 for LBCL), Inflammatory & Immunological Diseases (C-CAR168 for lupus nephritis and SLE), and Solid Tumors (C-CAR031 for hepatocellular carcinoma). The company also maintains a TIL (Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte) therapy platform. All products are manufactured at AbelZeta's own GMP facilities at its centers of excellence in Rockville, Maryland and Shanghai, China.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- C-CAR168 A novel autologous bispecific CAR-T therapy targeting both CD20 and B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), designed to eliminate pathogenic B cells, plasmablasts, and long-lived plasma cells and reset the immune system in patients with refractory autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN).
- C-CAR039 (Prizloncabtagene Autoleucel) A CD19/CD20 bispecific autologous CAR-T therapy for the treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (r/r B-NHL), with four-year follow-up data demonstrating deep and durable clinical benefits including sustained responses (also known as Prizloncabtagene Autoleucel).
- C-CAR031 An autologous GPC3-targeting CAR-T therapy built on AstraZeneca's dominant negative TGF-β receptor II (dnTGFβRII) armoring platform, designed to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other solid tumors; Phase I data showed DCR 91.3% and ORR 56.5% across dose levels, with ORR 75.0% at DL4 (ASCO 2024).
- C-CAR066 A novel fully human anti-CD20 autologous CAR-T therapy for relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) after failure of anti-CD19 CAR-T therapy; a Phase I clinical study has demonstrated efficacy in patients who failed prior CD19 CAR-T treatment.
- CAR-T Cell Therapy Platform AbelZeta's core technology platform based on Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, enabling modification of a patient's own T-cells to recognize and attack cancer cells and inflammatory targets; the platform spans mono-specific, bi-specific, and armored CAR-T designs used across the hematologic malignancy, autoimmune disease, and solid tumor programs.
- TIL Therapy Platform Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) therapy platform for the development of cell therapies targeting solid tumors, complementing AbelZeta's CAR-T platform with an additional adoptive cell therapy modality.
Quantifiable outcome
- C-CAR031 achieved disease control rate (DCR) of 91.3% and objective response rate (ORR) of 56.5% across all dose levels; ORR of 75.0% at DL4 in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients (ASCO 2024)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use AbelZeta
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
AbelZeta technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
AbelZeta partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- AstraZenecacoreAstraZeneca agreed to acquire AbelZeta's 50% share of China development and commercialization rights to C-CAR031 (GPC3 armored CAR-T for hepatocellular carcinoma), giving AstraZeneca sole rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize C-CAR031 globally. AbelZeta will receive up to $630M including upfront payment and development, regulatory and sales milestones. AstraZeneca already held rest-of-world rights. Additionally, AstraZeneca's $15B China investment commitment (through 2030) positions AbelZeta as a key cell therapy partner, with the deal announced during UK Prime Minister Starmer's visit to China.
- Janssen BiotechcoreIn 2023, AbelZeta licensed two CD20-directed autologous CAR-T products to Janssen Biotech for global development and commercialization. This partnership leverages Janssen's strong expertise in clinical development and global commercialization to maximize worldwide patient accessibility of AbelZeta's innovative cell therapies.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AbelZeta competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Carsgen Therapeutics: China-based clinical-stage CAR-T developer with multiple autologous CAR-T programs including CT011 (GPC3-targeted, HCC) and CT041 (Claudin18.2 for gastric cancer). Direct competitor across AbelZeta's solid tumor and hematologic pipelines.
- Adaptimmune Therapeutics: Clinical-stage cell therapy company developing SPEAR T-cell receptor (TCR) therapies for solid tumors, with Tecelra approved for synovial sarcoma. Comparable as a clinical-stage engineered T-cell therapy company targeting solid tumor indications with high unmet need.
- JW Therapeutics: China-based clinical-stage CAR-T company with relma-cel (CD19 CAR-T, Carteyva) approved in China for r/r LBCL. Closest comparable in geography, modality (autologous CAR-T), and out-licensing/Big-Pharma partnership model.
- Allogene Therapeutics: Clinical-stage allogeneic CAR-T developer with multiple candidates in hematologic malignancies. Comparable as a cell therapy platform company with both mono- and bi-specific CAR designs, although allogeneic vs. AbelZeta's autologous approach.
- Iovance Biotherapeutics: Commercial-stage TIL (tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte) therapy company with Amtagvi approved for advanced melanoma. Directly comparable as AbelZeta also maintains a TIL platform alongside CAR-T.
Emerging players
- Kyverna Therapeutics: Clinical-stage CAR-T company focused exclusively on autoimmune diseases (KYV-101 anti-CD19 CAR-T for lupus, myositis, MS). Comparable to AbelZeta's C-CAR168 autoimmune program in indication focus, though differentiated by single-target (CD19 only) vs. AbelZeta's bispecific approach.
- Caribou Biosciences: Clinical-stage allogeneic CAR-T developer (CB-010, CB-012, CB-020) using CRISPR-based Cas12a chRDNA genome-editing platform. Comparable as a next-generation CAR-T platform company pursuing both oncology and autoimmune indications (e.g., CB-010 for lupus).
Broad incumbents
- Gilead Sciences (Kite Pharma): Commercial-stage incumbent owning Yescarta and Tecartus (CD19 CAR-T). Major established CAR-T competitor with global commercial infrastructure and approved autologous CAR-T products in B-cell malignancies.
- Bristol-Myers Squibb (Cell Therapy): Commercial-stage incumbent owning Breyanzi (CD19 CAR-T) and Abecma (BCMA CAR-T). Comparable as a major CAR-T commercial player; AbelZeta's BCMA-targeting C-CAR168 and CD19/CD20-targeting C-CAR039 compete in overlapping indications.
- Novartis (Cell & Gene Therapy): Owns Kymriah, the first FDA-approved CAR-T therapy. Comparable as a pioneer in autologous CAR-T commercial scale-up and global manufacturing footprint for cell therapies.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AbelZeta social profiles
Digital presenceAbelZeta financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AbelZeta leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
AbelZeta funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AbelZeta M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AbelZeta
What does AbelZeta do?
AbelZeta develops and manufactures autologous CAR-T cell therapies engineered to recognize and attack cancer cells and inflammatory targets. The company advances multiple pipeline candidates — including bispecific CD19/CD20, CD20/BCMA, and armored GPC3 CAR-T therapies — through Phase I/II investigator-initiated trials, then out-licenses global development and commercialization rights to multinational pharmaceutical partners such as AstraZeneca and Janssen Biotech.
Is AbelZeta a public or private company?
AbelZeta is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was AbelZeta founded?
AbelZeta was founded in 2015. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is AbelZeta based?
AbelZeta is headquartered in Rockville, United States, in the North America region.
How does AbelZeta make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Licensing and milestone payments are the primary driver. The others are licensed CAR-T to Janssen Biotech (2023).
Who are AbelZeta's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Carsgen Therapeutics, Adaptimmune Therapeutics, JW Therapeutics, Allogene Therapeutics and Iovance Biotherapeutics. Emerging players are Kyverna Therapeutics and Caribou Biosciences. Broad incumbents are Gilead Sciences (Kite Pharma), Bristol-Myers Squibb (Cell Therapy) and Novartis (Cell & Gene Therapy).
Does AbelZeta have an API?
No public API is recorded for AbelZeta.
What industry is AbelZeta in?
AbelZeta's product category is Cell Therapy / CAR-T Immunotherapy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAABAC, CAR-T & TCR-T Therapies, with a secondary code of HLAAABAL, Cell Therapy Enabling Technologies (gene editing, cell engineering, delivery methods). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.