Chugai exercises licensing option for Araris Biotech’s AraLinQ® ADC platform to develop next-gen cancer therapies; deal up to $780M in milestones.
Written By: Pharmacally Medical News Desk
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has exercised its licensing option under a previously announced research collaboration with Araris Biotech AG, securing access to Araris’ proprietary AraLinQ® linker-payload platform. The agreement enables the development of novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) against a target selected by Chugai.
AraLinQ® technology is designed to conjugate multiple anticancer payloads to a single antibody with high stability, aiming to enhance tumor-selective delivery while maintaining antibody-like pharmacokinetics. Chugai plans to combine the platform with its antibody engineering capabilities to develop differentiated cancer therapies with improved efficacy and safety profiles.
Chugai President and CEO Dr. Osamu Okuda highlighted the strategic value of the decision, noting that the technology is expected to deliver tumor-selective therapeutic effects through efficient multi-payload conjugation.
Araris Biotech CEO Dr. Dragan Grabulovski stated that the licensing decision validates the scientific progress achieved through the collaboration and supports the advancement of next-generation ADCs with enhanced efficacy and tolerability.
Araris CBO Dr. Filippo Mulinacci described the agreement as a significant milestone, emphasizing that it reinforces Araris’ positioning in the development of highly differentiated multi-payload ADCs with antibody-like pharmacokinetics and exceptional linker stability.
Under the terms of the exercised option, Araris Biotech AG will receive an upfront payment and remains eligible for milestone payments and royalties tied to future development and commercial success. The broader collaboration framework carries a potential total value of up to approximately USD 780 million, contingent on option exercises and milestone achievements.
About Araris Biotech AG
Araris Biotech AG pioneers next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to redefine targeted cancer therapy, envisioning a world without chemotherapy. Its proprietary multi-payload technology enables one-step conjugation of synergistic payloads to any antibody for enhanced safety, efficacy, and resistance combat.
The move reflects continued industry momentum toward next-generation ADC technologies aimed at improving payload delivery, tolerability, and clinical outcomes in oncology.
Reference
Chugai and Araris Biotech AG Enter License Agreement for Araris’ Linker-Payload ADC Technology AraLinQ® , 10 February 2026, Feb 10,2026 | Chugai and Araris Biotech AG Enter License Agreement for Araris’ Linker-Payload ADC Technology AraLinQ® | News | CHUGAI PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
Chugai and Araris Biotech AG Enter License Agreement for Araris’ Linker-Payload ADC Technology AraLinQ®, 10 February 2026, https://www.ararisbiotech.com/docs/260209_260210_araris-chugai-press-release.pdf
Araris Biotech AG Announces Research Collaboration and Option to License Agreement with Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. to Develop Next-Generation ADCs Using Araris’ AraLinQTM technology January 8, 2025 https://www.ararisbiotech.com/docs/250106_250108-araris-chugai-pr.pdf