What Abion does

Abion is a Seoul-headquartered, KOSDAQ-listed (ticker 203400) precision oncology biopharmaceutical company founded in 2007 by Professor Shin Young-ki of Seoul National University. The company is clinical-stage and pre-revenue, with a portfolio of approximately 12 pipeline candidates spanning small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (lead asset vabametkib / ABN401, a c-MET TKI in Phase 2 for NSCLC), antibody therapeutics (ABN501 targeting Claudin-3, the iRAC immune-engaging platform ABN202), and an interferon-beta dry-powder inhalation candidate (ABN101). The platform is supported by 81 registered patents and clinically validated research infrastructure including an AI-enhanced MET CTC liquid biopsy companion diagnostic trained on a 212-patient cohort. The company maintains a San Diego office to support US business development and clinical operations, alongside its Seoul R&D base.

The company makes money, to date, primarily through non-dilutive government grant funding (notably KDDF, supporting approximately KRW 98 billion for ABN401 development, and ADD research contracts) and equity financings including a KRW 85 billion rights offering and KRW 21 billion convertible bond in 2024. Forward revenue mechanics are expected to shift toward licensing upfronts, milestones, and royalties via out-licensing partnerships — including a signed Russia/CIS term sheet for vabametkib, ongoing discussions with a European Nasdaq-listed pharma for the same asset, and US-pharma discussions for ABN501 — supplemented by a planned US joint venture for the ABN202 iRAC platform representing approximately KRW 100 billion of investment.

Abion discontinued its CRO and biomed operations in 2023 to focus on proprietary new drug development. Capital structure is concentrated, with KPM Tech as the largest shareholder at 41.2% ownership. The lead asset vabametkib has been the subject of an FDA Orphan Drug Designation application (2024-02), a J&J drug supply agreement for combination evaluation with lazertinib (2024-06), and an IND submission for glioblastoma (2025-03). Pricing for any future commercial product is not publicly disclosed, consistent with the company's pre-commercialization stage.

Name

Abion

Legal name

ABION BIO

Website

https://abionbio.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Abion is a Seoul-based, KOSDAQ-listed clinical-stage precision oncology biopharmaceutical company developing small-molecule and antibody therapeutics, including lead c-MET inhibitor vabametkib (ABN401) and Claudin-3 antibody ABN501, for global oncology indications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical-Stage Oncology Therapeutics

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Medical Laboratories (621511)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Impurity / Reference Standard Synthesis & Characterization (HLAGAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Clinical Trial Pharmacy & IMP Management at Site (HLAGACAK), Bioanalytical Testing (PK/ADA/NAb) (HLAGADAA)

Keywords

• Precision oncology therapeutics
• Targeted cancer therapy
• Companion diagnostics
• Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
• Antibody drug development

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Technology Transfer / Licensing-Out: Abion aims to out-license its drug candidates (vabametkib, ABN501, ABN202) to global pharmaceutical companies. The company is in active LO discussions with multiple global pharma and biotech companies. Target upfront payments of KRW 60-100 billion plus milestone payments in the hundreds of billions of KRW. Russia/CIS technology transfer term sheet already signed. Discussions ongoing with a European Nasdaq-listed pharma company for broader regional deals.
2. Government Grants and Subsidies: Abion receives government funding for drug development through KDDF (Korea Drug Development Fund) and Ministry of Health and Welfare. KDDF selected vabametkib for KRW 7 billion support (2018 for preclinical), KRW 21 billion (2020 for Phase 1), and KRW 70 billion over 2 years (2023 for Phase 2 global clinical development). Also receives defense-related research grants from ADD for ABN101/ABN901 bio-defense projects.
3. Future Drug Product Sales: Upon regulatory approval, Abion plans to commercialize its drug candidates either independently or through distribution partnerships. Vabametkib targets the global c-MET inhibitor market projected to grow from $2.5B (2020) to $4.7B (2026). ABN101 targets the broad-spectrum antiviral prophylaxis market. The company listed on KOSDAQ (ticker 203400) for capital market access to fund development.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Abion is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing precision oncology and antiviral drug candidates. Its lead asset Vabametkib (ABN401) is a c-MET tyrosine kinase inhibitor for non-small cell lung cancer in global Phase 2 trials, supported by pipeline candidates including the Claudin-3 antibody ABN501, the iRAC antibody-cytokine fusion platform ABN202, and the second-generation interferon-beta dry powder inhaler ABN101. The company pairs its drug candidates with proprietary AI-enhanced liquid biopsy companion diagnostics and pursues out-licensing deals with global pharmaceutical partners.

Product overview

Abion is a South Korean precision oncology therapeutics developer (KOSDAQ: 203400) with a portfolio of innovative drug candidates targeting Best-in-Class and First-in-Class treatments. The core pipeline includes: Vabametkib (ABN401), a Best-in-Class c-MET TKI for NSCLC currently in global Phase 2; ABN501, a First-in-Class Claudin 3 antibody for pan-carcinoma solid tumors in preclinical stage; and ABN101, a 2nd generation interferon-beta for broad-spectrum antiviral prophylaxis delivered via dry powder inhaler. Additional pipeline candidates include ABN202 (antibody-cytokine fusion platform), ABN601 (TLR5 agonist for acute radiation syndrome), ABN301 (HPV-targeting siRNA therapeutic), and ABN901 (biodefense vaccine). The company is developing companion diagnostics alongside its therapeutics and is pursuing strategic partnerships for global clinical development and technology transfer.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Vabametkib (바바메킵): Brand name for ABN401, a c-MET tyrosine kinase inhibitor for non-small cell lung cancer
• iRAC Platform

Products and services

• Vabametkib (ABN401) Best-in-class c-MET tyrosine kinase inhibitor for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) targeting MET exon 14 skipping mutations and MET amplification. Demonstrates superior safety profile (8.3% Grade 3+ TRAE vs 28-37.6% for competitors) and 54% ORR in Phase 2 trials. Being developed for NSCLC, glioblastoma, gastric cancer, and other c-MET-driven solid tumors.
• ABN501 First-in-class Claudin-3 (CLDN3) targeting human monoclonal antibody for pan-carcinoma solid tumors including ovarian cancer and small cell lung cancer. High specificity and strong binding affinity with ADCC activity. Platform adaptable as ADC or CAR-T/CAR-NK cell therapy.
• ABN202 Antibody-cytokine fusion protein platform (iRAC) combining interferon-beta mutein with tumor-targeting antibodies (Trop2, EGFR, VISTA/MSLN). Demonstrates superior anti-cancer efficacy compared to TROP2-targeting ADCs in preclinical models with ability to overcome ADC resistance.
• ABN101 Second-generation interferon-beta (biobetter) for broad-spectrum antiviral prophylaxis delivered via dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulation. Targets SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV. Achieves >80% activity retention in dry powder form with 500x higher production yield than natural interferon-beta and 2.5 micrometer particle size for deep lung delivery.
• ABN601 TLR5 agonist for acute radiation syndrome (ARS) treatment, developed for biodefense applications. Protects immune system when administered within 24 hours of radiation exposure, dramatically increasing survival rates.
• ABN301 HPV-targeting siRNA-based nucleic acid therapeutic for head/neck cancer and cervical cancer, developed using proprietary drug delivery system (DDS) technology.
• ABN901 Biological defense vaccine candidate for military and biodefense applications, developed with support from Korea's Agency for Defense Development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Vabametkib achieved 54% ORR overall and 75% ORR in treatment-naïve MET exon 14 NSCLC patients, compared to 48% and 68% for capmatinib (Novartis) respectively. Median PFS of 11.6 months as of May 9.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• European Nasdaq-Listed Pharmaceutical CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2025Abion is in active discussions with a European pharmaceutical company listed on Nasdaq for broader regional technology transfer of vabametkib covering Europe and North America. Originally the company sought full global rights but agreed to first close the Russia/CIS deal separately to accommodate Abion's current situation.
• U.S. Biotech Companies (JV Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2025Abion plans to establish a joint venture company in the US in H1 2025 with a US biotech partner to accelerate ABN202 platform development. ~KRW 10 billion investment planned. Local US management to be appointed from the partner company to ensure development autonomy and speed. Abion to maintain controlling stake and transfer ABN202 technology to the JV.
• Russian Pharmaceutical Company (Russia/CIS)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 March 2025Abion signed a term sheet with a Russian pharmaceutical company for technology transfer of vabametkib for Russia and 4 CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries. Contract completion targeted within 2025. This is the first regional out-licensing deal for vabametkib.
• U.S. Pharmaceutical Company (ABN501)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2025Abion is in discussions with a US pharmaceutical company for technology transfer of ABN501 (Claudin-3 antibody). A term sheet is expected to be signed within the month, followed by main contract negotiations. ABN501 is being developed as a first-in-class pan-carcinoma antibody.
• Johnson & Johnson (Janssen Research and Development, LLC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2024Abion signed a drug supply agreement with Janssen (J&J) for a combination clinical trial targeting EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Abion acts as the clinical trial sponsor while J&J provides lazertinib (Leclaza) at no cost. This collaboration investigates vabametkib (ABN401) in combination with J&J's EGFR inhibitor lazertinib to address resistance in NSCLC patients arising from c-MET alterations.
• Yuhan CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2024Yuhan Corporation developed lazertinib (Leclaza), which is supplied through J&J for Abion's combination clinical trial. Lazertinib is an EGFR TKI that J&J obtained FDA approval for in combination with Rybrevant as first-line NSCLC treatment. Abion is combining vabametkib with lazertinib to address c-MET-mediated EGFR TKI resistance.
• LapgenomicscoreTechnology or Integration · 12 May 2023Abion partnered with Lapgenomics to develop COVID-19 vaccine using microneedle patch technology. The collaboration was supported by the International Health Technology Research Fund (Light Foundation) and achieved the first milestone of confirming antibody generation in animal models comparable to injection methods.
• LabGenomicscoreTechnology or Integration · 12 May 2023Abion signed a strategic partnership agreement with LabGenomics for companion diagnostic service development based on liquid biopsy. This partnership supports Abion's precision medicine approach by enabling biomarker-based patient selection for clinical trials.
• Samsung BiologicscoreTechnology or Integration · 2 September 2019Abion signed a CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) contract with Samsung Biologics for the development and manufacturing of ABN101, a second-generation interferon-beta for respiratory viral infections. The partnership covers preclinical sample production and ongoing clinical supply and API export production discussions.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Novartis: Novartis markets capmatinib (Tabrecta), an FDA-approved c-MET TKI directly competing with Abion's lead asset vabametkib in MET exon 14 NSCLC. Same target, same indication, with established commercial infrastructure.
• Merck KGaA: Merck KGaA markets tepotinib (Tepmetko), the other FDA-approved c-MET TKI for NSCLC. Direct competitor to vabametkib with similar label and established physician relationships.
• Mirati Therapeutics: Precision oncology small molecule developer targeting genetically defined cancers (acquired by BMS in 2024). Highly comparable business model: targeted oncology TKIs, companion diagnostic integration, and global out-licensing strategy.
• Blueprint Medicines: Develops selective kinase inhibitors for genomically defined cancers and rare diseases. Comparable targeted oncology small molecule approach with companion diagnostic strategy and similar capital-light development model.

Regional players

• Yuhan Corporation: Korean pharmaceutical company that developed lazertinib (Leclaza), the EGFR TKI supplied through J&J for Abion's combination trial. Strategic partner and regional peer with overlapping oncology focus in the Korean market.
• Hanmi Pharmaceutical: Major Korean pharmaceutical company with pipeline including targeted oncology and novel biologics. Comparable in terms of Korean biotech scale, KOSDAQ/KRX listing status, and pursuit of global licensing deals.

Emerging players

• ABL Bio: Korean biotech specializing in antibody engineering platforms for oncology and neurodegenerative diseases. Comparable in developing novel antibody platforms (Bispecific antibodies) and pursuing global pharma partnerships for out-licensing.
• Molecular Partners: Swiss clinical-stage biotech developing DARPin-based therapeutics for oncology. Comparable platform-based approach to Abion's iRAC platform with similar engineering of alternative protein scaffolds for cancer therapy.
• Philogen: Swiss-Italian biotech specializing in antibody-cytokine fusion proteins for cancer treatment. Highly comparable to Abion's iRAC platform technology in fusing cytokines to tumor-targeting antibodies for solid tumor therapy.
• ImmunoGen: Developer of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) including Elahere for ovarian cancer. Comparable to Abion's ABN501 (Claudin-3 antibody being adapted as ADC) and ABN202 (designed to overcome ADC resistance) in the ADC and antibody-cytotoxic space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/abion-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Abion