METiS TechBio and Boulevard Bio Enter Global License Agreement for Trispecific T-cell Engager
METiS TechBio (7666.HK), a company specializing in AI-driven drug delivery innovation, has announced an exclusive global licensing agreement with Boulevard Bio, a U.S.-based biotechnology firm backed by Deerfield Management. This agreement grants Boulevard worldwide development, manufacturing, and commercialization rights for MTS-128, a proprietary trispecific T-cell engager program developed by METiS TechBio.
As part of the agreement, METiS TechBio will receive a $20 million upfront payment and stands to earn up to $1.6 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, along with tiered royalties on product sales.
MTS-128 is a next-generation trispecific T-cell engager created via METiS TechBio's NanoForge platform, which integrates AI-based protein design, drug delivery system engineering, and therapeutic innovation. The design and optimization process for MTS-128 is entirely driven by NanoForge-enabled AI molecular engineering, distinguishing it from traditional antibody discovery methods. The trispecific nature of MTS-128 allows it to engage multiple biological mechanisms simultaneously, enhancing the efficiency of target cell killing while minimizing off-target toxicity.
Chris Lai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of METiS TechBio, commented on the agreement, stating that it represents a significant step in the alliance between METiS and Deerfield at a crucial juncture for AI-driven drug delivery innovation in China. He emphasized the potential of NanoForge to enable next-generation drug discovery and expressed the company's commitment to developing competitive therapeutic assets as AI evolves with drug delivery technologies.
Founded by a group of MIT-trained scientists, METiS TechBio focuses on transforming the delivery of active agents through AI and nanotechnology. The company successfully listed on the Hong Kong exchange on May 13, 2026, becoming the first AI-powered drug delivery company to do so. The firm continues to advance its proprietary platform technologies to improve treatment options across various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.