New HER2 T-cell drug ABP-102 moves toward global trial after FDA nod

Jan 15, 2026
new-her2-t-cell-drug-abp-102-moves-toward-global-trial-after-fda-nod

Abpro (Nasdaq: ABP) said its lead multispecific antibody program ABP-102 / CT-P72 was featured by partner Celltrion at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on January 13, 2026.

ABP-102 recently received FDA IND clearance, enabling a planned global Phase 1 trial in HER2-positive solid tumors expected to begin in the first half of 2026 under the Celltrion collaboration. The molecule is a HER2 × CD3 T-cell engager with preclinical data presented at AACR and SITC in 2025.

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Positive

  • FDA IND clearance received for ABP-102
  • Global Phase 1 trial enabled for HER2-positive solid tumors
  • Program highlighted by Celltrion at J.P. Morgan (validation)
  • Preclinical data presented at AACR and SITC in 2025

Negative

  • No human clinical efficacy or safety data yet; Phase 1 pending
  • Trial start timing is anticipated in H1 2026, not guaranteed

Phase Phase 1 Planned global trial for ABP-102 / CT-P72

Trial start timing First half of 2026 Anticipated initiation of global Phase 1 trial

Conference edition 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference where Celltrion presented

Conference date January 13, 2026 Date of Celltrion’s JPM presentation

$3.90 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,070 vs 20-day average 11,728 indicates relatively muted trading before this news. low

Technical Shares at $3.895 trade 90.92% below the 52-week high and 3.04% above the 52-week low, and remain below the 200-day MA of $6.63.

Peer biotech names show mixed moves, with changes from -17.57% (ADAP) to +15.79% (PHGE). No coordinated sector momentum or scanner-based peer moves were flagged, suggesting this headline was more stock-specific than sector-driven.

Date Event Sentiment Move Catalyst
Jan 06 IND clearance Positive +19.8% FDA IND clearance for ABP-102 enabling global Phase 1 trial.
Dec 15 IND submission Positive -1.7% IND application submitted for ABP-102 Phase 1 in HER2-positive cancers.
Dec 09 Nasdaq extension Positive +6.3% Nasdaq listing extension and capital strategy to regain compliance.
Nov 04 Preclinical data Positive +1.1% SITC 2025 presentation of preclinical CT-P72/ABP-102 data.
Nov 03 Reverse split Neutral -3.6% 1-for-30 reverse stock split to support Nasdaq compliance.

Pattern Detected

News tied to ABP-102’s development and regulatory steps has more often led to positive price reactions, while capital structure and listing mechanics have shown occasional divergence.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, Abpro has advanced ABP-102 / CT-P72 from IND submission on Dec 15, 2025 to FDA IND clearance on Jan 6, 2026, enabling a global Phase 1 trial planned for 1H 2026. Earlier, the company executed a 1-for-30 reverse split and secured a Nasdaq listing extension while highlighting large operating expense reductions and Celltrion-funded development. Today’s conference-feature news fits the ongoing narrative of building visibility and momentum around the ABP-102 program after regulatory clearance.

This announcement reinforces growing visibility for ABP-102 / CT-P72 following recent FDA IND clearance and an upcoming global Phase 1 trial targeted for 1H 2026. Featuring the program at the 44th J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference underscores its strategic importance within the Celltrion collaboration. Investors may watch for actual trial initiation, early safety data, and any financing or listing developments disclosed in future SEC filings as key next checkpoints.

her2 medical

“global Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the candidate in patients with HER2-positive solid tumors”

HER2 is a protein found on the surface of some cancer cells, especially certain breast cancers. When a cancer has too much HER2, it can grow more quickly and be more aggressive. Knowing about HER2 helps doctors choose the best treatments to target these specific cancer cells.

cd3 medical

“ABP-102 / CT-P72 is a multispecific HER2 × CD3 T-cell engager engineered to selectively target”

CD3 is a group of proteins on the surface of T cells, the immune system’s front-line soldiers, that act like a control panel to turn those cells on and off. It matters to investors because many modern therapies work by engaging or blocking CD3 to direct T cells against cancer or dampen harmful immune reactions; success, safety and regulatory approval of CD3-targeting drugs can significantly affect a biotech company’s prospects.

t-cell engager medical

“ABP-102 / CT-P72 is a multispecific HER2 × CD3 T-cell engager engineered to selectively target”

A T-cell engager is a type of medicine designed to help the body’s immune system attack cancer cells more effectively. It works by acting like a bridge that brings immune cells (T-cells) close to cancer cells, prompting a targeted attack. For investors, T-cell engagers are significant because they represent innovative treatments that could lead to new growth opportunities in the healthcare and biotech sectors.

fda regulatory

“ABP-102 / CT-P72 recently received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational New Drug”

The FDA is the U.S. federal agency that evaluates and approves medical drugs, devices, biological therapies and certain foods; think of it as the gatekeeper that decides whether a medical product is safe and effective for patients. For investors, FDA decisions determine whether a company can sell a product, affect expected revenue and introduce regulatory risk, so approvals, rejections or safety warnings can quickly move a company’s valuation and stock price.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Recently IND-Cleared HER2 × CD3 T-Cell Engager Highlighted by Global Biopharmaceutical Partner

BURLINGTON, Mass., Jan. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abpro Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABP), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation antibody therapeutics for solid tumors, today announced that its lead multispecific antibody oncology program, ABP-102 / CT-P72, was featured in a presentation by its global collaboration partner, Celltrion, at the 2026 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.

Celltrion’s senior executives attended the conference to present the company’s latest progress in new drug development and long-term growth strategy. The presentation took place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the conference venue. The Celltrion team highlighted its oncology pipeline and partnered programs, including ABP-102 / CT-P72.

ABP-102 / CT-P72 recently received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance, enabling the initiation of a global Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the candidate in patients with HER2-positive solid tumors. The study is anticipated to commence in the first half of 2026 through Abpro’s strategic collaboration with Celltrion.

“The inclusion of ABP-102 in Celltrion’s presentation at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference represents a meaningful validation of the program and its potential,” said Miles Suk, Chief Executive Officer of Abpro. “JPM remains the most influential healthcare investment forum globally, and having ABP-102 highlighted by a leading global biopharmaceutical partner underscores the strength of our science, our collaboration with Celltrion, and the momentum we are building following recent IND clearance.”

The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference is the world’s largest annual healthcare investment conference, bringing together global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies alongside institutional investors and partners.

ABP-102 / CT-P72 is a multispecific HER2 × CD3 T-cell engager engineered to selectively target HER2-overexpressing tumor cells while engaging cytotoxic T cells, with optimized binding designed to enhance tumor selectivity and mitigate safety risks that have historically limited the use of T-cell engagers in solid tumors. Preclinical data supporting the program were presented at major international scientific meetings in 2025, including the Annual Meetings of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC).

About Abpro

Abpro’s mission is to improve the lives of mankind facing severe and life-threatening diseases with next-generation antibody therapies. Abpro is advancing a pipeline of next-generation antibody therapies, for HER2+ cancers, non-HER2+ gastric and liver cancer, and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). These antibodies are developed using Abpro’s proprietary DiversImmune® platform. Abpro is located in Burlington, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.abpro.co.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain disclosures that contain “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, express or implied statements regarding the timing and advancement of development programs, including the timing and availability of additional data, and expectations regarding the therapeutic benefit of Abpro’s programs, as well as strategic partnerships. The words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “target” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and important factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties related to the timing and advancement of development programs; Abpro’s ability to continue as a going concern; Abpro’s ability to achieve compliance with Nasdaq listing standards; expectations regarding the therapeutic benefit of Abpro’s programs; that final data from Abpro’s preclinical studies and completed clinical trials may differ materially from reported interim data from ongoing studies and trials; Abpro’s ability to efficiently discover and develop product candidates; Abpro’s ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of product candidates; Abpro’s ability to maintain its intellectual property; the implementation of Abpro’s business model, including strategic plans for Abpro’s business and product candidates; and other risks identified in Abpro’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) including Abpro’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and subsequent filings with the SEC. Abpro cautions you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Abpro disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent Abpro’s views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date.

About Celltrion

Celltrion is a leading biopharmaceutical company based in Incheon, South Korea, that specializes in researching, developing, and manufacturing innovative therapeutics that improve people’s lives worldwide. Celltrion pursues sustainable growth by leveraging its experience and assets in the successful biosimilar business to develop new medicines and healthcare platform technologies. The company works with a sense of duty to advance patients’ wellness and provide them with enhanced access to reliable healthcare. To accomplish this, Celltrion adheres to strong internal ethical standards in its daily operations. To learn more, please visit www.celltrion.com.

Investor and Media Contact:

Daniel Kontoh-Boateng

DKB Partners, LLC

Tel: +1-862-213-1398

dboateng@dkbpartners.net



FAQ

What did Abpro (ABP) announce about ABP-102 at the January 13, 2026 J.P. Morgan conference?

Celltrion highlighted ABP-102 / CT-P72 as part of its oncology pipeline during its January 13, 2026 presentation.

Has ABP-102 (ABP) received regulatory clearance to start clinical trials?

Yes. ABP-102 received U.S. FDA IND clearance, enabling initiation of a global Phase 1 trial.

When is Abpro (ABP) expected to start the ABP-102 Phase 1 trial?

The Phase 1 study is anticipated to commence in the first half of 2026 through the Celltrion collaboration.

What type of therapy is ABP-102 (ABP) and what does it target?

ABP-102 is a multispecific HER2 × CD3 T-cell engager designed to target HER2-overexpressing tumor cells while engaging cytotoxic T cells.

Does Abpro (ABP) have clinical human data for ABP-102 yet?

Not yet; only preclinical data have been presented and the global Phase 1 trial is planned to begin in H1 2026.

How does Celltrion’s mention of ABP-102 affect Abpro (ABP)?

Being featured by Celltrion at a major investor conference is presented as a validation of the program and the collaboration.

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