TOKYO, October 6, 2020 -- Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 4519) announced today that it has entered into a license agreement with argenx that grants argenx worldwide non-exclusive rights for Chugai’s antibody engineering technologies.

Under the terms of the agreement, argenx will receive the rights to use two Chugai’s antibody engineering technologies (SMART-Ig^® and ACT-Ig^®) for their research activities, and option to develop and market therapeutic antibodies applying those technologies. In return for the license, Chugai will receive a fee for technology access. In case argenx creates a candidate antibody and exercises the option, Chugai will receive upfront payment, milestone payment according to the development status, and royalty payment if the compound is launched as an approved antibody drug.

About Chugai
Chugai Pharmaceutical is one of Japan’s leading research-based pharmaceutical companies with strengths in biotechnology products. Chugai, based in Tokyo, specializes in prescription pharmaceuticals and is listed on the 1st section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. As an important member of the Roche Group, Chugai is actively involved in R&D activities in Japan and abroad. Specifically, Chugai is working to develop innovative products which may satisfy the unmet medical needs. Additional information is available on the internet at https://www.chugai-pharm.co.jp/english/.