Amberstone Biosciences and Henlius Announce Collaboration on Solid Tumor T-Cell Engagers
Amberstone Biosciences and Shanghai Henlius Biotech have entered into a collaboration and license agreement to develop conditionally activated T-cell engagers for solid tumors.
Irvine, Calif. – Amberstone Biosciences announced on September 24, 2026, a collaboration and license agreement with Shanghai Henlius Biotech. The partnership aims to advance the development of novel T-cell engagers designed to treat solid tumors.
Amberstone Biosciences contributes its proprietary T-MATE™ technology, which is engineered to activate T-cells selectively within the tumor microenvironment. Traditional T-cell engagers have faced challenges in treating solid tumors, including cytokine release syndrome and on-target, off-tumor toxicity. Amberstone's technology utilizes pH sensitivity to reduce T-cell activation in healthy tissues and circulation, while retaining efficacy in the acidic environment of solid tumors.
Under the agreement, Henlius will lead subsequent research, development, manufacturing, and worldwide commercialization. Amberstone will receive an upfront payment, research funding, and is eligible for potential development, regulatory, and sales milestones per target of up to $440 million, plus tiered royalties on net sales.
Amberstone Biosciences is a preclinical oncology company focused on developing tumor-activated antibody therapeutics with its T-MATE™ platform. Henlius is a global biopharmaceutical company with products approved in multiple countries and is advancing over 50 early-stage innovative drug development programs.