AbelZeta Pharma, Inc. announced on January 18, 2026, that it has reached an agreement with AstraZeneca for the acquisition of its remaining rights to develop and commercialize the GPC3-targeting CAR-T therapy, C-CAR031, in China. This transaction grants AstraZeneca the exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture, and market C-CAR031, solidifying its position in the burgeoning field of cell therapy.
Under the terms of the agreement, AbelZeta is set to receive up to $630 million from AstraZeneca. This total includes an upfront payment as well as further development, regulatory, and sales milestone payments specifically for the GPC3 program in China. Prior to this deal, AstraZeneca had already secured rights to C-CAR031 for all regions outside of China, allowing it to expand its CAR-T portfolio significantly.
Tony (Bizuo) Liu, Chairman and CEO of AbelZeta, emphasized the strategic importance of this transaction. “This transaction reflects our commitment to leverage our platform technology to develop novel cell therapies in solid tumors of high unmet medical need, including Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and provides the opportunity to maximize C-CAR031’s global reach,” he stated.
C-CAR031 is designed to target Glypican 3 (GPC3) using AstraZeneca’s advanced armoring platform, which utilizes a dominant negative transforming growth factor-beta receptor II. The therapy is currently under investigation for treating HCC, one of the most prevalent forms of liver cancer.
Understanding Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma is a critical public health issue, being the third-leading cause of cancer death globally and the most common form of primary liver cancer. In adults, approximately 75% of all primary liver cancers are classified as HCC. Many patients face a grim prognosis, particularly those diagnosed at advanced stages, where the 5-year survival rate is a mere 7% and the median survival is around 20 months.
According to a report by Frost & Sullivan, the incidence of HCC in China has been steadily rising, with projections indicating approximately 344,500 new cases in 2024. This underscores the urgent need for effective treatment options, which C-CAR031 aims to fulfill.
About AbelZeta Pharma
AbelZeta is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, and Shanghai, China. The company is dedicated to developing innovative cell-based therapies that utilize the body’s immune system to combat various malignancies, including hematological cancers and solid tumors. AbelZeta’s research and development activities are supported by its own GMP facilities, focusing on advancing a diverse pipeline of CAR-T therapies.
As the landscape of cancer treatment continues to evolve, the collaboration between AbelZeta and AstraZeneca marks a significant step towards enhancing therapeutic options for patients suffering from HCC and potentially other solid tumors.
