Antengene Doses First Patient in ATG-201 Trial
The Phase I ATTRACT study evaluates the CD19 × CD3 bispecific antibody ATG-201 in patients with refractory B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Biotech
Antengene has dosed the first patient in China in the Phase I ATTRACT study of ATG-201, a CD19 × CD3 bispecific T-cell engager antibody. The study is also being conducted in Australia, and UCB holds worldwide exclusive rights to further develop and commercialize the drug.
Why it matters
Refractory B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases have low remission rates, high relapse risk, and long-term safety concerns. The trial is designed to evaluate whether ATG-201, which aims to eliminate CD19-expressing B cells, can address these gaps.
The study is a Phase I trial with a Dose Escalation part and a Dose Expansion part, and its primary objectives are to assess safety and tolerability and determine the recommended Phase II dose. No efficacy or safety outcomes have been reported yet, and the dose-finding results remain unknown.
The players
Antengene
Antengene is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Shanghai and Hong Kong that developed the ATG-201 antibody and holds 35 investigational new drug approvals in the U.S. and Asia.
UCB
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company that holds worldwide exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize ATG-201 under an agreement with Antengene.
Prof. Zhanguo Li
Prof. Zhanguo Li is a clinician at Peking University People's Hospital who serves as principal investigator of the ATTRACT study.
The details
ATG-201 uses steric hindrance masking technology and engages T cells and B cells through CD3 and CD19 binding to leverage the immune system. Prof. Zhanguo Li of Peking University People's Hospital is the principal investigator, and the study has received Human Research Ethics Committee approval in Australia and completed Clinical Trial Notification with the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Timeline
Nov. 6, 2026: Antengene announces first patient dosed in the ATTRACT study
Field Context
CD19-directed bispecific T-cell engagers have been developed mainly for B cell cancers, and ATG-201 applies the same mechanism to refractory B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. The trial marks an extension of that approach into a different disease area, with results still pending.
The trial is in early Phase I testing, so ATG-201 is not yet available to patients outside of clinical study enrollment. Patients with refractory autoimmune conditions may need to watch for future trial updates rather than expect near-term access.
The takeaway
Early-stage trials like ATTRACT are the first step in testing whether a new approach is both safe and effective, and their outcomes will determine whether ATG-201 moves further. Readers interested in autoimmune treatment progress should follow later trial results before drawing conclusions about its promise.
Further reading
For broader context on how these therapies are advancing, explore more Biotech coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Macau Business.
