Genmab, headquartered in Copenhagen, has built a strong royalty-driven foundation via approved medicines such as DARZALEX® (daratumumab) and TEP‑KINLY® (epcoritamab) while shifting into proprietary product development. The company’s innovation engine centres on five core antibody technology platforms—DuoBody®, HexaBody®, DuoHexaBody®, HexElect® and an ADC (antibody-drug conjugate) platform acquired via ProfoundBio in 2024.
DuoBody® is Genmab’s bispecific-antibody platform: it enables a single molecule to bind two different antigens simultaneously, broadening therapeutic options. A flagship product using DuoBody is epcoritamab (TEP-KINLY), the first subcutaneous bispecific antibody approved in EU for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
HexaBody® is designed to increase potency by inducing antibody hexamer formation (clusters of six antibodies) when bound to a target cell. This enhances complement-mediated cell killing or receptor clustering. One program based on HexaBody, GEN3014 (HexaBody-CD38), partnered with Johnson & Johnson, was discontinued in 2025 after J&J declined its licence option—despite promising clinical data—highlighting the difficult market/strategic environment.
DuoHexaBody® merges DuoBody (dual-targeting) with HexaBody (hexamerising potency) to create bispecific antibodies with enhanced killing power. Its lead internal program (GEN3009, DuoHexaBody-CD37) was discontinued in 2023 for portfolio prioritisation—not due to safety issues.
HexElect® is the newest platform: it uses two HexaBody-derived components that must bind two distinct targets on the same cell to activate—thus improving selectivity and reducing off-target effects.
Among its commercial and near-commercial products: Genmab receives royalties from DARZALEX, RYBREVANT®, TECVAYLI®, TALVEY® and KESIMPTA®. It has also taken more direct commercial responsibility: for example, TIVDAK® (tisotumab vedotin) for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer is being co-commercialised with Pfizer, and Genmab from 2025 took sole responsibility for its development outside the U.S. and China.
In 2024 the company announced adoption of the Genedata Biopharma Platform to integrate its R&D data, linking discovery, translational and clinical workflows to accelerate development of antibody drugs built on its platforms.
Overall, Genmab is transitioning from licensed-royalty business to owning and driving its proprietary pipeline, leveraging advanced antibody-engineering platforms. Recent strategic decisions (such as discontinuing some early programs) show focus on “clear line of sight” revenue-generating therapies.
Highlights:
- Genmab’s royalty portfolio (DARZALEX, RYBREVANT, TECVAYLI, TALVEY, KESIMPTA) continues to generate stable income.
- Approved proprietary product: epcoritamab (TEP-KINLY) via DuoBody platform.
- DuoBody® platform: bispecific antibodies binding two antigens.
- HexaBody® platform: enhances antibody potency via hexamer formation.
- DuoHexaBody® platform: combines dual-targeting and hexamerisation for bispecifics (program discontinued).
- HexElect® platform: dual-binding required for activation, improving selectivity and safety.
- ADC platform (via acquisition of ProfoundBio) expands into payload-linked antibodies.
- Implementation of integrated data‐science platform (Genedata) to accelerate R&D.
- Portfolio prioritisation: strategic discontinuation of some programs (e.g., HexaBody-CD38) to focus on high-value assets.
- Shift toward proprietary development and commercialization (e.g., sole responsibility for TIVDAK outside U.S./China).
Genmab is leveraging a suite of advanced antibody-engineering platforms (DuoBody, HexaBody, DuoHexaBody, HexElect) alongside its royalty business to evolve into a fully proprietary developer and commercialiser of next-generation antibody medicines.
Photos Credit: Tuala Hjarnø – Bioreactor Laboratory & Cell Culture Laboratory
