On February 10, 2026 Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 4519, hereafter "Chugai") and Araris Biotech AG (hereafter "Araris") reported that Chugai has exercised its option under the Research Collaboration and Option to License Agreement ("RCO") previously announced by Araris in 2025. The exercised option grants Chugai a license to Araris’ proprietary AraLinQ linker-payload platform for the generation of novel ADCs against one target selected by Chugai.

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"Araris’ innovative AraLinQ technology is expected to deliver therapeutic effects in a tumor-selective manner by efficiently conjugating multiple anticancer payloads to a single antibody. By combining this technology with our core strength in antibody engineering, we aim to create innovative cancer therapeutics with enhanced efficacy and safety," said Dr. Osamu Okuda, President and CEO of Chugai.

"We are very pleased that Chugai has elected to exercise its option to license our AraLinQ technology for the development of next-generation ADCs with enhanced efficacy and tolerability. We are proud of the scientific progress achieved through this collaboration to date and look forward to seeing this program advance toward the clinic" said Dr. Dragan Grabulovski, CEO of Araris.

Dr. Filippo Mulinacci, CBO of Araris, stated: "Chugai’s decision to license AraLinQ technology represents a significant milestone for Araris. It further validates the scientific progress achieved by our team and reinforces Araris’ positioning as a partner of choice for the development of highly differentiated, multi-payload ADCs with antibody-like pharmacokinetics and exceptional linker stability."

With the exercise of the option, Araris will receive an immediate upfront payment and may receive additional milestone payments and royalties on potential commercial sales. The overall RCO provides for a total potential consideration of approximately up to USD 780 million, subject to the exercise of all options and achievement of certain milestones.

(Press release, Chugai, FEB 10, 2026, View Source [SID1234662560])