SHANGHAI and HONG KONG, China, June 8, 2026
Antengene Corporation Limited announced the presentation of the first preclinical data for ATG-207, its novel α-masked and TGFβRIII-biased CD3-TGF-β bifunctional fusion protein, at the European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2026 in London. The data demonstrated that ATG-207 preferentially binds to TGFβRIII, rapidly downregulates T-cell receptor (TCR) expression, promotes the induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs), and supports immune tolerance. The findings highlight the potential of ATG-207 as a next-generation therapeutic candidate for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases driven by pathogenic T-cell activity.
ATG-207 Demonstrates Novel Immune Tolerance Mechanism
ATG-207 has been designed to address a major challenge in autoimmune diseases, where persistent activation of pathogenic effector T cells and insufficient regulatory T-cell function prevent the establishment of long-term immune tolerance. The bifunctional fusion protein combines CD3-mediated T-cell targeting with localized TGF-β signaling, aiming to selectively suppress harmful immune responses while enhancing the generation of regulatory T cells. The company reported that ATG-207 preferentially engages TGFβRIII over TGFβRII, a mechanism intended to improve T-cell responsiveness while minimizing unwanted activity in non-T-cell tissues.
Preclinical Studies Show Regulatory T-Cell Induction
According to the presented data, ATG-207 significantly reduced surface TCR expression in primary T cells and demonstrated strong induction of FOXP3-positive regulatory T cells in both healthy donor samples and samples obtained from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Proteomic analysis further revealed substantial remodeling of T-cell function, including modulation of pathways associated with immune regulation and T-cell signaling. These findings suggest that ATG-207 may restore immune balance by promoting long-term tolerance rather than simply suppressing inflammation.
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Strong Activity Observed in Autoimmune Disease Models
In vivo studies using a mouse surrogate molecule of ATG-207 demonstrated therapeutic activity in multiple autoimmune disease models. The candidate showed efficacy in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a commonly used model for multiple sclerosis, as well as in an adoptive T-cell transfer colitis model, which mimics inflammatory bowel disease. Importantly, ATG-207 was associated with substantially lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, when compared with an unbiased αCD3-TGF-β fusion protein control. The reduced cytokine release profile may offer an important safety advantage for future clinical development.
Antengene Expands Autoimmune Disease Pipeline
The company believes the results support ATG-207 as a differentiated immune tolerance-restoring therapy with potential applications across a broad range of T-cell-mediated autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. By integrating precision T-cell targeting, context-restricted TGF-β activity, and receptor-biased signaling, Antengene aims to develop a therapy capable of delivering durable disease control while minimizing systemic immune suppression. The EULAR 2026 presentation marks the first public disclosure of preclinical data for ATG-207 and further expands Antengene’s growing pipeline of innovative immunology and oncology programs.
Source: Antengene, press release
