Intocell

Intocell Inc. operates as a South Korean biotechnology firm focused on the research and development of treatments for cancer. The company was established on April 1, 2015, by CEO Park Tae-kyo, who previously co-founded LigaChem Biosciences (formerly LegoChem Biosciences) and was a key inventor of its core ADC platform technology. This background provides Intocell's leadership with significant experience in the Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) field, including taking a venture company through to a KOSDAQ listing.

The firm's core business revolves around its proprietary platform technologies for protein-drug conjugates, particularly ADCs, which are designed to selectively deliver potent cytotoxic agents to tumors. Intocell's main technological asset is its Ortho-Hydroxy Protected Aryl Sulfate (OHPAS) linker platform. This technology, which connects an antibody to a drug payload, is engineered for high stability in plasma, a critical factor for the safety and efficacy of an ADC. The company's business strategy has two main pillars: exporting its linker platform technology to partners for use with their antibodies, and developing its own pipeline of proprietary ADC candidates. Revenue is generated through these technology transfer agreements, which include upfront payments as well as potential development, regulatory, and commercial milestones and royalties.

Intocell has established several key collaborations to advance its technology. In late 2023, the company entered into a joint research agreement with Samsung Bioepis to co-develop up to five anticancer ADC candidates, where Intocell provides its linker and drug technologies. It also has a material transfer and optional licensing agreement with ADC Therapeutics, supplying its OHPAS-developed drug-linkers. The company's work has gained recognition, winning the KHIDI-Amgen Pitching Day in 2023. Having raised significant capital through multiple funding rounds, including a ₩34 billion Series C in 2020, Intocell became a public company, listing on the KOSDAQ exchange on May 23, 2025.

Keywords: Antibody-Drug Conjugate, ADC platform, cancer therapy, biopharmaceutical, OHPAS linker, protein-drug conjugates, oncology, biotechnology, linker technology, drug discovery, targeted therapy, preclinical development, Samsung Bioepis partnership, Park Tae-kyo, LigaChem Biosciences, KOSDAQ, Daejeon, South Korea, ADC Therapeutics, biostability, payload modification