AbbVie and IGI Therapeutics Sign Exclusive Global Licensing Agreement for Trispecific Antibody ISB 2001
AbbVie and IGI Therapeutics SA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ichnos Glenmark Innovation, Inc. (IGI), today announced an exclusive global licensing agreement for ISB 2001, IGI’s lead investigational trispecific antibody. Developed on IGI’s proprietary BEAT® platform, ISB 2001 is being explored for use in oncology and autoimmune diseases.
ISB 2001 is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM). The drug is designed as a trispecific T-cell engager targeting BCMA and CD38 on myeloma cells and CD3 on T cells, aiming to drive potent anti-tumor activity by engaging multiple immune targets simultaneously.
Trispecific antibodies represent the next wave in immuno-oncology, offering the potential for deeper, more sustained responses,” said Dr. Roopal Thakkar, EVP of R&D and Chief Scientific Officer at AbbVie. “Our partnership with IGI reflects AbbVie’s commitment to advancing transformative therapies for multiple myeloma, where unmet need remains despite therapeutic advances.”
ISB 2001 is a clear example of the power of our BEAT® platform to generate innovative, effective multispecifics,” said Dr. Cyril Konto, President and CEO of IGI. “This agreement is a major milestone for IGI, accelerating ISB 2001’s development and allowing us to sharpen our focus on advancing our pipeline of BEAT®-enabled assets.”
Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie will have exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize ISB 2001 in North America, Europe, Japan, and Greater China. IGI will receive a $700 million upfront payment and is eligible for up to $1.225 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, as well as tiered, double-digit royalties on future net sales, pending regulatory approvals.
Clinical Data on ISB 2001
Presented as a Rapid Oral Presentation (Abstract #7514) at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, interim Phase 1 results from 35 patients with heavily pretreated R/R MM demonstrated:
- 79% overall response rate (ORR)
- 30% complete/stringent complete response (CR/sCR)
- Encouraging safety profile at active doses (≥50 µg/kg)
ISB 2001 was granted Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA in July 2023, and Fast Track Designation in May 2025 for R/R MM.
The BEAT® Multispecific™ Platform
IGI’s BEAT® platform is a next-generation multispecific antibody technology designed to overcome limitations in traditional bispecific production. Key platform advantages include:
- Natural antibody architecture using both heavy and light chains for improved stability
- High-fidelity heavy chain pairing with a common light chain
- Versatility to engage T cells, NK cells, and myeloid cells
- Fc engineering for precise modulation
- Scalable manufacturability with high titer yields and extended half-life
The platform enables development of robust, multispecific immune cell engagers tailored for complex oncology targets.
About IGI Therapeutics
IGI Therapeutics, based in New York, is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on advancing first-in-class multispecific biologics in oncology. Leveraging the BEAT® platform, IGI is developing a pipeline of next-generation therapies targeting hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, with a mission to improve and extend patient lives through innovation.
About AbbVie
AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that address today’s serious health challenges while tackling the medical needs of tomorrow. The company focuses on several key therapeutic areas, including immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care, alongside a robust portfolio in Allergan Aesthetics.
AbbVie is committed to transforming cancer treatment through a pipeline of over 35 investigational therapies across solid and blood tumors. The company combines internal R&D expertise with external innovation to accelerate breakthrough medicines globally.
