Pharma BD Deal Intelligence
AbbVie licensed lemzoparlimab (TJC4), I-Mab's anti-CD47 antibody, in a deal worth up to $2.94B with $200M upfront. The bet on differentiated CD47 biology never paid off—AbbVie discontinued the program, and I-Mab collected only the initial payments before development stalled.
Ranks computed across 828 graded deals (Critic + Outcome Score both present).
AbbVie will pay I-Mab $200 million now and up to $1.74 billion in milestone payments in the future for an exclusive license to commercialize lemzoparlimab…
AbbVie has entered into a global collaboration agreement with I-Mab to develop and commercialise lemzoparlimab (TJC4), an immuno-oncology therapy targeting…
AbbVie's $2.94 billion licensing deal with I-Mab for lemzoparlimab, a CD47 antibody, reflected the intense competitive interest in checkpoint inhibitor…
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AbbVie entered an exclusive worldwide license agreement with I-Mab for lemzoparlimab (TJC4), an anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody designed to avoid red blood cell binding. AbbVie received global rights to develop and commercialize lemzoparlimab. I-Mab received $200M upfront and is eligible for up to $2.74B in development, regulatory, and commercial milestones plus tiered royalties.
55K US cases/yr · $50.0B Global Heme Malignancies Market
AbbVie licensed lemzoparlimab (anti-CD47) from I-Mab. The CD47 class has faced major clinical setbacks including magrolimab discontinuation.
Gilead's magrolimab ($4.9B) discontinued after futility/mortality in Phase 3. Multiple CD47 programs terminated. Class faces existential questions.
The CD47/SIRPa macrophage-checkpoint space in MDS/AML has been defined — and largely de-risked negatively — by Gilead's magrolimab failure. Anti-CD47 mAbs (direct MOA): Gilead/Forty Seven's magrolimab discontinued in MDS/AML after ENHANCE and ENHANCE-3 Phase 3 futility/safety (2023-2024), vacating the category; I-Mab/AbbVie's lemzoparlimab (TJC4) differentiated on reduced RBC binding/hemagglutination but AbbVie terminated the partnership in 2022 citing altered competitive landscape. Anti-SIRPa/CD47-pathway follow-ons: Pfizer/Trillium's maplirpacept (TTI-622, SIRPa-Fc, Phase 1/2), ALX Oncology's evorpacept (ALX148, CD47 blocker with inactive Fc, Phase 2/3 gastric), and Arch Oncology's AO-176 (Phase 1, largely deprioritized). Menin inhibitors (rising AML class): Kura/Kyowa Kirin's ziftomenib and Syndax's Revuforj (revumenib, FDA-approved 2024 for KMT2Ar AML) define the new AML targeted class. BCL-2 inhibitors: AbbVie's Venclexta (venetoclax) + azacitidine is the AML SOC, AbbVie 2024 global Venclexta revenue approximately $2.6B. Hypomethylating agents: BMS's Vidaza (azacitidine) and Onureg (oral aza), Otsuka's Inqovi (decitabine/cedazuridine). FLT3 inhibitors: Astellas's Xospata (gilteritinib) and Novartis's Rydapt (midostaurin). For a commercial lead, the CD47 franchise thesis has collapsed — AbbVie's own Venclexta combo is the backbone, and menin inhibitors plus FLT3/IDH targeted options command the development pipeline.
Uliledlimab (TJ004309) targets CD73-high NSCLC — a biomarker-selected IO combo niche where anti-PD-(L)1 is the required backbone. Anti-CD73 mAbs/small molecules (direct MOA): AstraZeneca's oleclumab (MEDI9447, Phase 2 COAST NSCLC, improved PFS in 1L unresectable stage III with durvalumab) leads; Arcus Biosciences' quemliclustat (small-molecule CD73i, PRISM-1 pancreatic Phase 3) and Bristol's BMS-986179 (Phase 1/2) round out the direct class. Adenosine pathway — A2A receptor antagonists (adjacent MOA): Arcus/Gilead's etrumadenant (AB928, A2aR, discontinued NSCLC Phase 2 2023) and Novartis's taminadenant (PBF-509/NIR178) define the A2A adenosine-receptor arm of the same biology. Anti-PD-(L)1 backbone (required combo partner / incumbent SOC): Merck's Keytruda (pembrolizumab, $29.5B 2024 global sales) holds 1L NSCLC monotherapy and combos; Roche's Tecentriq (atezolizumab) and AstraZeneca's Imfinzi (durvalumab, approximately $4.7B 2024) cover adjuvant/PACIFIC stage III; BMS's Opdivo (nivolumab, approximately $9.3B 2024) + Yervoy (ipilimumab) has 1L NSCLC approval. KRAS G12C and other targeted NSCLC: Amgen's Lumakras (sotorasib) and BMS's Krazati (adagrasib) are alternative competitive consumers of 2L market share. For a commercial lead, CD73 has been undermined by oleclumab's mixed Phase 2 readouts; AbbVie's returned rights to I-Mab in 2022 reflects the category's diminished franchise potential absent a clean biomarker-driven Phase 3 win.
AbbVie paid $200M upfront for worldwide ex-China rights to lemzoparlimab (anti-CD47). Up to $1.74B milestones.
AbbVie received global ex-China rights to lemzoparlimab. $200M upfront plus milestones.
AbbVie ended two clinical trials in 2022, then terminated full partnership Nov 2023. Rights returned to I-Mab.
AbbVie terminated after clinical setbacks. CD47 class broadly failed across industry.
Anti-CD47 class broadly struggled. AbbVie lost $200M upfront. I-Mab lost up to $1.3B milestone potential.
| Deal | Year | Value | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| AbbVie Inc. / I-Mab (this deal) | 2020 | $2.9B | 26 |
| AbbVie Inc. / Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH | 2016 | $2.2B | 95 |
| AbbVie Inc. / Genmab A/S | 2020 | $3.9B | 81 |
| AbbVie Inc. / Pharmacyclics Inc. | 2015 | $21.0B | 79 |
| AbbVie Inc. / Apogee Therapeutics, Inc. | 2026 | $10.9B | 72 |
| AbbVie Inc. / ImmunoGen Inc. | 2023 | $10.1B | 69 |
| AbbVie Inc. / Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 2024 | $2.0B | 64 |
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