Just over a year after launching in Maryland, Xcellon Biologics is proving that even in a complex and cost-pressured market, a focused strategy and experienced leadership can generate real traction. The antibody–drug conjugate (ADC)–specialized CDMO has announced two significant collaborations in the past month—one with Wisconsin-based Invenra and one with South Korea’s IntoCell—marking a milestone moment in the company’s rapid growth.
Founded by industry leaders Abhishake Chhibber and Yuk Chun Chiu, Xcellon set out to build a next-generation CDMO tailored to the needs of developers working on multispecific antibodies, targeted payloads, and other high-complexity biologics. The company’s early momentum suggests they identified a real gap in the market—and moved quickly to fill it.
Accelerating Multispecific ADCs
In October, Xcellon announced a new collaboration with Invenra, a Madison-based biotech known for its bispecific and trispecific antibody engineering platforms. The partnership is designed to bring Invenra’s discovery technologies together with Xcellon’s bioconjugation, development, and manufacturing capabilities to advance next-generation multispecific ADCs.
Invenra CEO Roland Green underscored the significance of the collaboration:
“This collaboration represents a meaningful step toward realizing the therapeutic potential of bispecific and trispecific ADCs. Our B-Body and T-Body multispecific antibody discovery platforms are designed to unlock new biology and expand the reach of targeted therapies. Xcellon’s expertise in bioconjugation, ADC development, and manufacturing makes them an ideal partner to help advance these innovative constructs toward the clinic.”
Xcellon’s co-founder and COO, Yuk Chun Chiu, described the collaboration as mission-aligned and strategically important:
“We are excited to partner with Invenra, a leader in multispecific antibody engineering. Together we can translate scientific innovation into reliable, scalable therapeutics for patients.”
The collaboration highlights Xcellon’s ability to serve as a bridge between discovery-stage innovators and the development workflows needed to bring complex biologics toward IND-enabling studies.
A Global Reach: Xcellon Partners With South Korea’s IntoCell
Not long after the Invenra news, Xcellon announced a Memorandum of Understanding with IntoCell, a Korean company developing next-generation payload and linker technologies for ADCs. The agreement will enable the integration of IntoCell’s OHPAS linker-payload platform with Xcellon’s U.S.-based bioconjugation and development services.
IntoCell CEO Tae Kyo Park emphasized the shared value the partnership brings:
“We are pleased to collaborate with Xcellon Biologics, a leading CDMO company. By integrating IntoCell’s proprietary OHPAS linker and payload platforms with Xcellon’s bioconjugation and manufacturing expertise, we aim to provide global innovators with the tools and support necessary to bring differentiated ADC therapies to patients faster.”
This collaboration strengthens both companies: IntoCell gains a U.S. manufacturing and development foothold, while Xcellon expands its technology toolkit at a time when payload and linker innovation is accelerating across the ADC field.
Year One Milestones
Xcellon’s momentum stands out in a year where many CDMOs have faced slower funding cycles, reduced outsourcing budgets, and rising demand for specialized capabilities.
Yet the company has continued to move quickly:
- It officially launched in January 2025 and secured its first client within two weeks.
- Within its first year, Xcellon was already supporting 14 programs, including multiple repeat clients.
- Its leadership team collectively brings more than 40 years of biologics experience, eight commercial product launches, and more than 20 INDs.
- A new Maryland facility is underway, with GMP capabilities expected to come online in 2026.
For a young CDMO, landing two technology-forward collaborations—in the U.S. and Asia—so early is a strong signal of market trust and technical credibility.
With two new collaborations secured and facility expansion underway, Xcellon Biologics is entering its second year with significant momentum. The company’s strategy—focused specialization, strong science, and partnership-driven execution—positions it well in a competitive CDMO landscape.
For early-stage companies developing antibody formats, bispecifics, or payload-linked therapeutics, Xcellon offers a specialized, nearby partner—reducing friction and keeping innovation cycles closer to home.
If the pace of its first year is any indication, Xcellon’s story is only beginning.
