In response to Harbour BioMed’s recent press release regarding a decision in its pending lawsuit, Biocytogen is issuing the following statement:
Biocytogen operates in accordance with its core values: independent innovation, respect for intellectual property, and commitment to fair competition . The RenNano® platform is the result of independent and original R&D , based on Biocytogen’s proprietary genome editing technologies. Its technical principles, design strategy, and scope of intellectual property rights are fundamentally different from those of the patents in dispute.
1120 c/ 9 – The technical gap with the RenNano® platform is significant ; Biocytogen will resolutely take legal action to protect its rights
The RenNano® platform utilizes a large fragment knockout strategy that integrates over 120 human V genes in situ, resulting in a comprehensive and functional repertoire of human heavy chain antibodies. In contrast, Harbour BioMed’s HCAb platform introduces only 9 V genes using a small fragment knockout approach . This fundamental difference reflects not only divergent technical strategies, but also the depth, innovation, and translational potential of Biocytogen’s antibody discovery platforms.
The decision mentioned in Harbour BioMed’s press release relates solely to jurisdiction and not to the merits of the patent infringement case. Moreover, the CNIPA’s (China National Intellectual Property Administration) confirmation of patent validity is a routine administrative procedure that does not involve infringement. The underlying lawsuit has not yet entered the trial phase.
Biocytogen is currently evaluating all legal options and will vigorously defend its intellectual property rights and scientific reputation . The RenNano® platform has been fully validated and is supported by a robust portfolio of national and international patents that clearly support its originality and independence.
We firmly believe:
- of the technical integrity and legal basis of the RenNano® platform;
- of the absence of violation of any intellectual property of a third party ;
- of our continued leadership in antibody discovery and therapeutic innovation.
According to public documents, the Chinese patent for Harbour BioMed’s HCAb platform will expire on July 22, 2025 , further underscoring the short-term nature of any speculative claim. Regardless, Biocytogen will continue to defend its rights, ensure business continuity, and deliver transformative technologies to its partners and patients worldwide.
No misleading claims or speculative statements will prevent our team from advancing the RenMice® platform through world-class innovations and fulfilling our mission of accelerating therapeutic discoveries.
Key technical differences between Biocytogen’s RenNano® platform and Harbour BioMed’s HCAb platform
- Biocytogen’s RenNano® platform uses large fragment knock-in technology to replace mouse genes with over 120 human V genes in situ, resulting in a complete and functional human heavy chain variable domain genomic repertoire.
- Harbour BioMed’s HCAb platform introduces only 9 V genes using small fragment transgenic approaches.
About Biocytogen
Biocytogen (HKEX: 02315) is a global biotechnology company promoting the research and development of novel antibody-based drugs through innovative technologies. Based on gene editing technology, Biocytogen leverages the proprietary RenMice® (RenMab™/ RenLite® / RenNano® / RenTCR-mimic™) platforms for fully human monoclonal/bispecific/multispecific antibody discovery, bispecific antibody-drug conjugate discovery, nanobody discovery, and TCR-mimic antibody discovery. The Company has established a sub-brand, RenBiologics™, to explore global partnerships to create a ready-to-use library containing over 1,000,000 fully human antibody sequences against over 1,000 targets for global collaboration. As of December 31, 2024, approximately 200 antibody co-development/licensing/transfer agreements and more than 50 target-designated RenMice ® licensing projects have been established worldwide, including several partnerships with multinational pharmaceutical companies. Biocytogen, which was the first company to generate humanized knock-in models for preclinical research, currently provides several thousand ready-to-use animal and cell models under its sub-brand BioMice™, as well as preclinical pharmacology and gene editing services for customers worldwide. Biocytogen is headquartered in Beijing with branch offices in China (Haimen Jiangsu, Shanghai), the United States (Boston, San Francisco, San Diego), and Germany (Heidelberg). For more information, visit http://en.biocytogen.com.cn .
The translated text of the press release should in no way be considered official. The only authoritative version of the press release is the one in its original language. The translation should always be compared with the source text, which will be the legal precedent.
