Intocell
1 known investors
South Korean biotech in Daejeon developing OHPAS linker and payload modification technologies for antibody drug conjugates.
Also known as IntoCell · IntoCell Inc. · 인투셀
Investors · 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026IntoCell (인투셀) is a South Korean biotechnology company based in Daejeon that develops antibody drug conjugate (ADC) platform technologies and drug candidates. Its two core technologies are the OHPAS linker, a self-immolative linker chemistry based on Ortho-Hydroxy Protected Aryl Sulfate, and an OHPAS linker–toxin library. The company also markets a Payload Modification Technology (PMT) in which temporary modifying groups are incorporated into conventional cytotoxic payloads.
The OHPAS linker is described as compatible with a wide range of phenolic and non-phenolic payloads and functional and triggering groups, and can be triggered by mechanisms including lysosomal enzymes, light and pH; resulting ADCs are reported to show high stability, solubility and rapid payload release. PMT is intended to widen the therapeutic index of ADCs by reducing uptake into normal cells. Combining PMT and the OHPAS linker, IntoCell has produced a preclinical candidate in its B7-H3 ADC program, with ITC-6146RO as lead candidate, reported to show potency in murine xenograft and PDX models. The company's website organizes activities around R&D fields, core technologies, a pipeline and publications.
Founding story
IntoCell was founded by Tae Kyo Park, who serves as Chief Executive Officer.
Business model
IntoCell develops proprietary ADC platform technologies (linkers and modified payloads) and licenses or partners them with antibody drug developers. In its agreement with ADC Therapeutics, IntoCell supplies drug-linkers for evaluation against a partner's antibodies while retaining global rights to its platform outside the ADC targets reserved by the partner.
Licensing-based: signing and target selection fees, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, and royalties from partners that license its linker and payload technologies.
Traction
IntoCell has delivered a preclinical candidate, ITC-6146RO, in its B7-H3 ADC program and in January 2023 entered a development and license option agreement with ADC Therapeutics covering up to six targets.
Latest developments
In January 2023, IntoCell announced a Material Transfer Agreement with an option to license with ADC Therapeutics SA, under which ADC Therapeutics will evaluate IntoCell's OHPAS drug-linkers and PMT payloads with its own antibodies and may license the technology for up to six targets.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography
Market position
IntoCell is a South Korean biotech supplying ADC linker and payload technologies to ADC developers, including the commercial-stage company ADC Therapeutics.
The company positions the OHPAS linker as a novel self-immolative chemistry usable with both phenolic and non-phenolic payloads and multiple triggering mechanisms (enzymatic, light, pH), yielding ADCs with high stability and solubility and fast payload release, and PMT as a means of reducing normal-cell uptake to improve therapeutic index relative to traditional payloads.
Technology
Core technologies are the OHPAS (Ortho-Hydroxy Protected Aryl Sulfate) self-immolative linker and an associated OHPAS linker–toxin library, plus Payload Modification Technology (PMT) that adds temporary modifying groups to traditional payloads. These are applied to internal programs, including the B7-H3 ADC program with lead preclinical candidate ITC-6146RO.
Go-to-market
IntoCell pursues out-licensing and evaluation agreements with ADC developers, using external transaction advisory support (PharmaVentures Ltd.) for partnering of its platform technologies and its lead B7-H3 ADC program.
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies developing antibody drug conjugates.
Geography
Headquartered at 101, Sinildong-ro, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea, with partnering activity extending internationally through agreements with a Switzerland-based partner and a UK-based transaction advisor.
Compiled by commissioned research from 4 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Timeline · 1
launches, deals, and filingsIntoCell signed a Material Transfer Agreement with an option to license with ADC Therapeutics SA (NYSE: ADCT). IntoCell supplies drug-linkers based on its OHPAS linker and Payload Modification Technology; ADC Therapeutics conjugates its antibodies and runs in vitro, in vivo and toxicology studies. On successful evaluation, ADC Therapeutics may license the technology for up to six targets for global development and commercialization. IntoCell receives a signing fee and is entitled to target selection fees, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, and royalties. IntoCell was advised by PharmaVentures Ltd.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 4
primary sources listed
- Intocellintocell.com · web
4 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Intocell do?
- South Korean biotech in Daejeon developing OHPAS linker and payload modification technologies for antibody drug conjugates.
- Who are Intocell's investors?
- Intocell's investors include Atinum Investment Co. Ltd..