Vor Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ:VOR) saw its stock surge by 85% after unveiling a major licensing agreement with RemeGen Co., Ltd., a biotech firm based in China. The partnership grants Vor exclusive global rights—excluding China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan—to develop and commercialize telitacicept, an innovative fusion protein targeting autoimmune disorders.
As part of the deal, Vor will provide RemeGen with $125 million in initial consideration, comprised of a $45 million upfront cash payment and $80 million in stock warrants. The agreement also includes a series of performance-based regulatory and commercial milestones that could surpass $4 billion, along with tiered royalty payments on future sales.
Telitacicept is already approved in China for treating conditions such as generalized myasthenia gravis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment works by inhibiting two cytokines, BAFF (BlyS) and APRIL, which are essential for B cell maturation and survival. By disrupting this pathway, telitacicept aims to suppress the production of autoreactive B cells and harmful autoantibodies—key drivers in many autoimmune diseases. RemeGen is currently running a global Phase 3 trial, with interim results anticipated in the first half of 2027.
In a related move, Vor Biopharma also announced a significant leadership transition. Jean-Paul Kress, M.D., has been appointed as the company’s new CEO and Chairman, effective immediately. He succeeds Robert Ang, M.D., who has stepped down but will continue in an advisory role through October 2025.
“I’m honored to take the helm at such a pivotal moment in Vor Bio’s evolution,” said Dr. Kress. “Telitacicept opens up a new frontier in the treatment of autoantibody-driven diseases. Its BAFF/APRIL dual-targeting mechanism differentiates it from other therapies and offers hope for better outcomes across multiple autoimmune indications.”
Dr. Kress brings extensive industry experience, most recently serving as CEO of MorphoSys, where he led the development of Monjuvi and oversaw the company’s acquisition by Novartis (NYSE:NVS) in 2024.
This licensing agreement and executive change signal a new strategic direction for Vor Biopharma, positioning it as an emerging contender in the autoimmune therapeutics market.