Biogen secures felzartamab rights in Greater China through TJ Biopharma agreement
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Biogen Inc. has signed an agreement with TJ Biopharma to acquire exclusive rights to felzartamab in the Greater China region. With this deal, Biogen now holds worldwide rights to the drug candidate, which is currently in Phase 3 clinical studies for several immune-mediated diseases.
Under the agreement, TJ Biopharma will receive an upfront payment of $100 million and may earn up to $750 million in commercial and sales milestones, bringing the total potential value to $850 million. In addition, TJ Bio will receive royalties on future net sales in the region. Biogen will also take over existing milestone and royalty obligations linked to an earlier licensing deal involving MorphoSys, a subsidiary of Novartis.
Felzartamab was added to Biogen’s portfolio following its acquisition of HI-Bio in 2024. Since then, the company has advanced global Phase 3 trials in conditions including antibody-mediated rejection in kidney transplant patients, IgA nephropathy and primary membranous nephropathy. Further studies in additional indications are planned.
The agreement strengthens ongoing collaboration between the two companies. In 2025, TJ Biopharma joined Biogen-led international Phase 3 trials evaluating felzartamab in IgA nephropathy and primary membranous nephropathy in China. These conditions are major causes of kidney disease in the country, highlighting the need for new treatment options.
Biogen will continue to lead clinical development in immunology and will now also manage manufacturing and commercial activities for felzartamab in the Greater China region. A regulatory application for the drug in multiple myeloma, submitted by TJ Biopharma in 2024, is currently under review by China’s medicines regulator. Following approval, Biogen will oversee commercialisation, while TJ Biopharma will manufacture the product at its facility in Hangzhou.
Source: globenewswire.com
