Cyagen and Macau University of Science and Technology Launch Five-Year Strategic Partnership for AI-Driven Fully Human Antibody Discovery

Taicang, Jiangsu, China, June 8, 2026 – Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T.) and Cyagen Biosciences today announced a five-year strategic partnership. By synergizing M.U.S.T.’s translational medicine expertise with Cyagen’s proprietary AI-computational tools and fully human mouse models, the alliance is set to break through traditional bottlenecks in therapeutic antibody discovery and accelerate IND-enabling timelines.

The partnership is designed to accelerate innovation in therapeutic antibody research by integrating artificial intelligence, antibody engineering, bioinformatics, and translational drug development. Together, the two organizations aim to build a globally competitive innovation ecosystem spanning basic research, AI-enabled antibody design, and industrial translation.

Under the agreement, the partners will jointly develop an international innovation platform focused on AI-driven therapeutic antibody discovery, establish advanced antibody research systems and large-scale antibody sequence and functional data resources, and accelerate the translation of novel antibody candidates into global development programs. The collaboration will also support talent development and international academic exchange initiatives to foster the next generation of researchers in antibody therapeutics.

As part of the collaboration, Cyagen presented its integrated antibody discovery and development capabilities, including the proprietary HUGO-Ab™ fully human antibody mouse platform, which encompasses HUGO-Mab™ fully human monoclonal antibody mice, HUGO-Light™ fully human common light chain antibody mice, and HUGO-Nano™ fully human nanobody mice. Combined with the AbSeek™ intelligent antibody computing platform, high-throughput antibody sequencing technologies, and standardized antibody validation workflows, Cyagen has established a comprehensive end-to-end antibody discovery engine covering target validation, antibody generation, optimization, and preclinical evaluation.

“Our strategic vision centers on the convergence of AI, fully human antibody technologies, bioinformatics, and integrated drug discovery services,” said Lance Han, Founder and Chairman of Cyagen Biosciences. “By combining Cyagen’s technology platforms and industrial capabilities with M.U.S.T.’s scientific expertise, we aim to drastically accelerate the journey from target to clinic, creating disruptive opportunities for global biomedical innovation.”

Professor Yi-Zhun Zhu, Vice President of Macau University of Science and Technology and Founding Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, emphasized the university’s commitment to advancing frontier research in precision medicine, drug discovery, and translational science. He noted that the partnership provides a unique opportunity to explore fundamental scientific questions in AI-driven antibody development while strengthening the translation of academic discoveries into therapeutic applications.

During the scientific exchange session, Cyagen researchers presented the company’s latest advances in AI-enabled antibody discovery. The integrated workflow combines target immunization, antibody sequence acquisition, AI-based computational analysis, and in vitro and in vivo validation into a unified development framework. Compared with conventional discovery approaches, the platform has demonstrated the potential to reduce antibody discovery timelines by more than 50%, supporting a broad range of therapeutic modalities from monoclonal antibodies to bispecific antibodies and nanobody-based therapeutics.

Cyagen scientists also highlighted recent progress in fully human single-domain antibody (sdAb) discovery using the HUGO-Nano™ platform. By generating heavy-chain-only antibodies (HCAbs) that bypass traditional camelid immunization constraints, these sdAbs can be seamlessly engineered into next-generation bispecific antibodies. By targeting immune cell activation molecules such as CD3, they enable enhanced T-cell-mediated anti-tumor responses. Together, the HUGO-Ab™ platform family addresses key challenges in antibody development, including developability limitations, heavy-light chain mispairing, and tissue penetration constraints, providing a comprehensive toolbox for monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and sdAb-based therapeutics.

Complementing the in vivo generation capabilities of the HUGO-Ab™ platform, the AbSeek™ intelligent computing platform serves as the digital engine of this partnership. By integrating molecular dynamics simulations, generative AI models, and advanced immunogenicity prediction algorithms, the platform enables sequence generation, structural prediction, developability optimization, and experimental guidance through a unified computational workflow.

Both organizations identified original scientific discovery as a critical differentiator for future AI-driven antibody innovation platforms. Over the next five years, researchers from M.U.S.T. and Cyagen will conduct targeted studies on immune system mechanisms and fully human single-domain antibody (sdAb) biology. By investigating sequence-to-function relationships and biological constraints within natural immune responses, the team aims to generate high-quality datasets to train more predictive AI models. Ultimately, these insights will empower the AbSeek™ platform to better predict developability and unlock historically undruggable targets for our global partners.

Following the scientific sessions, representatives from M.U.S.T. toured Cyagen’s research facilities and antibody discovery laboratories, where discussions focused on technology platforms, laboratory operations, and future joint research initiatives. The visit further reinforced both organizations’ commitment to establishing a long-term model for academic-industrial collaboration in next-generation biologics innovation.

The partnership represents more than a research collaboration; it reflects a shared commitment to building a globally influential innovation hub for antibody therapeutics. Both parties believe that the coming five years will be a pivotal period for AI-driven therapeutic antibody development and that sustained collaboration can create a world-leading platform for preclinical antibody discovery and translational biopharmaceutical innovation.

Founded in 2006, Cyagen Biosciences is an AI-enabled Contract Research Organization (CRO) dedicated to accelerating drug discovery through advanced animal models, computational technologies, and integrated preclinical research services. Leveraging proprietary gene-editing technologies and disease model platforms, Cyagen supports research programs across oncology, metabolic diseases, autoimmune disorders, ophthalmology, neuroscience, and other therapeutic areas.

Cyagen’s antibody discovery portfolio is centered on the HUGO-Ab™ fully human antibody mouse platform, which enables efficient generation of high-affinity human monoclonal and bispecific antibody candidates. The company’s HUGO-GT™ genome-wide humanized mouse platform further supports human target validation and translational research, helping to bridge the gap between preclinical discovery and clinical development.

With more than 900 employees, over 40,000 square meters of research and operational facilities, and a global service network, Cyagen continues to advance drug discovery through its integrated “data + model” strategy, empowering biopharmaceutical innovators worldwide.

Established in 2016, the Faculty of Pharmacy at Macau University of Science and Technology is the only institution in the Macao SAR authorized to offer Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees in Pharmacy. The Faculty is committed to advancing pharmaceutical education, clinical pharmacy practice, drug development, and translational biomedical research while supporting the healthcare needs of the Macao community.

The Faculty plays a key role in fostering pharmaceutical innovation within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and serves as an important center for talent development and scientific collaboration. Its multidisciplinary programs support the region’s growing biomedical industry and innovation ecosystem.

The Faculty’s academic team includes distinguished scholars, members of national academies, Changjiang Scholars, globally recognized scientists, and emerging research leaders. Through excellence in teaching, research, and industry collaboration, the Faculty continues to cultivate highly skilled professionals and future leaders in pharmaceutical sciences and healthcare innovation.