LigaChem Biosciences Inc.

Corporate brand

South Korean biotech developing next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and immuno-oncology therapeutics based on medicinal chemistry.

Last updated September 28, 2026

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Overview

LigaChem Biosciences Inc. (formerly LegoChem Biosciences) is a South Korean biotechnology company focused on the research and development of novel therapeutics, particularly next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and immuno-oncology agents. Founded in 2006 by Yong-Zu Kim and a team of researchers who left LG Chem (formerly LG Life Sciences) in Daejeon, the company has built its core competency around medicinal chemistry, encapsulated in its motto "Linking Chemistry with Biologics." Its proprietary ADC platform technologies aim to overcome the limitations of conventional ADCs, and its pipeline includes multiple ADC candidates such as LCB71 (ROR1-ADC), LCB14 (HER2-ADC), LCB84 (TROP2-ADC), and LCB97 (L1CAM-ADC). The company has entered into licensing and co-development agreements with global pharmaceutical companies including Janssen, Amgen, Ono Pharma, and CStone. In 2024, it changed its name to LigaChem Biosciences and Orion Corp. Limited became its largest shareholder after investing 550 billion KRW for a 25% stake. LigaChem Biosciences is listed on the KOSDAQ market of the Korea Exchange. The company has received recognition at the World ADC Awards, winning "Best ADC Platform Technology" multiple years. It operates a U.S. subsidiary, AntibodyChem Biosciences, in Boston, and pursues open innovation through partnerships. Its headquarters are in Daejeon, South Korea.

History

LigaChem Biosciences was founded in 2006 by Yong-Zu Kim and a group of key researchers from LG Chem (formerly LG Life Sciences) in Daejeon, South Korea. The company initially operated under the name LegoChem Biosciences. From its inception, it focused on medicinal chemistry-based drug discovery, aiming to develop innovative new drugs. Over the years, it built a proprietary ADC platform technology and advanced multiple pipeline candidates. In 2018, it registered the trademark 'LEGO CHEMPHARMA', which later became the subject of a trademark dispute with LEGO Juris A/S; the Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of LEGO, invalidating the trademark. In 2021, the company won the 'Best ADC Platform Technology' award at the World ADC Awards, and it continued to receive recognition in subsequent years. In 2022, it established a U.S. subsidiary, AntibodyChem Biosciences, in Boston. In 2023, it signed a technology transfer agreement with Janssen for LCB84 (TROP2-ADC) and received FDA IND approval for LCB84. In 2024, the company changed its name to 'LigaChem Biosciences' and Orion Corp. Limited became its largest shareholder after investing 550 billion KRW for a 25% stake. That same year, it signed two technology transfer agreements with Ono Pharma for LCB97 (L1CAM-ADC) and platform technology, and won first place in 'Best ADC Platform Technology' at the World ADC Awards for the third consecutive year. In 2025, it received the 'Most Promising ADC to Watch' award and second place in 'Best ADC Platform Technology' at the World ADC Awards. In 2026, it received IND approvals in Japan for LCB97/ONO-7429 and in the U.S. for LCB02A (CLDN18.2-ADC). The company continues to advance its pipeline and global partnerships.

2026
Received IND approvals in Japan for LCB97/ONO-7429 and in the U.S. for LCB02A (CLDN18.2-ADC).
2025
Received 'Most Promising ADC to Watch' and second place in 'Best ADC Platform Technology' at World ADC Awards.
2024
Changed name to LigaChem Biosciences; Orion Corp. Limited became largest shareholder with 25% stake for 550 billion KRW; signed two technology transfer agreements with Ono Pharma; won 'Best ADC Platform Technology' at World ADC Awards for third consecutive year.
2023
Signed technology transfer agreement with Janssen for LCB84 (TROP2-ADC); received FDA IND approval for LCB84.
2022
Established U.S. subsidiary AntibodyChem Biosciences in Boston.
2021
Won 'Best ADC Platform Technology' at World ADC Awards.
2018
Registered trademark 'LEGO CHEMPHARMA', later invalidated after dispute with LEGO Juris A/S.
2006
Founded by Yong-Zu Kim and researchers from LG Chem in Daejeon, South Korea.

Products and positioning

Global first mover in next-generation ADC platform technology, leveraging medicinal chemistry and open innovation.

LCB71
ROR1-targeting antibody-drug conjugate.
LCB14
HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate.
LCB84
TROP2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate.
LCB97
L1CAM-targeting antibody-drug conjugate.
LCB02A
CLDN18.2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate.
LNCB74
B7-H4-targeting antibody-drug conjugate.

Controversies

Trademark dispute with LEGO Juris A/S

Name change to LigaChem BiosciencesOther
Orion Group investmentOther

Recent events

2021-01-11
PharmAbcine and LegoChem Biosciences enter research collaboration[7]PharmAbcine与LegoChem Biosciences达成研究合作prnewswire.com
Reported: 2021-01-11
PharmAbcine announced a research collaboration agreement with LegoChem Biosciences. PharmAbcine will provide PMC-403 for combination research with LegoChem Biosciences’ proprietary ADC, allowing the parties to evaluate combination-therapy efficacy in solid tumors.

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