Novartis strikes potential $7.8 billion Abogen deal for in vivo autoimmune therapy

Novartis and Abogen Biosciences announced a licensing and option agreement on October 2, 2026, centered on ABO2203, an investigational mRNA-encoded CD19×CD3 T-cell engager for autoimmune diseases.

The headline value of up to $7.8 billion combines a $575 million upfront payment with up to approximately $7.2 billion in potential milestone payments. The milestones depend on development, regulatory and commercial achievements—and, in part, Novartis exercising options on additional programs. Abogen may also receive royalties on future sales.

ABO2203 uses lipid nanoparticle-delivered mRNA to instruct a patient’s cells to produce the T-cell engager in vivo. The goal is to direct T cells against CD19-positive B cells implicated in autoimmune disease, potentially resetting the immune system.

The agreement gives Novartis worldwide rights to ABO2203 and options to license other programs from Abogen’s RNA platform. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearances.

The therapy remains experimental. Early reports include B-cell depletion in a small group of patients with immune thrombocytopenia; those findings are preliminary and do not establish safety or effectiveness.