---
title: "Cue Biopharma Licenses Anti-IgE Asset From Ascendant; $15M Upfront, Up to $676.5M in Milestones"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/284906657.md"
description: "Cue Biopharma has secured an exclusive license for the anti-IgE asset Ascendant-221 from Ascendant Health Sciences, involving a $15 million upfront payment and potential milestones totaling up to $676.5 million. The agreement includes pre-funded warrants for Ascendant, allowing for a potential 7.5% ownership stake. Additionally, Cue plans to raise approximately $30 million through a private placement of warrants. These transactions aim to expand Cue's pipeline and support its development and corporate needs."
datetime: "2026-05-01T13:53:01.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/284906657.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/284906657.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/284906657.md)
---

# Cue Biopharma Licenses Anti-IgE Asset From Ascendant; $15M Upfront, Up to $676.5M in Milestones

Cue Biopharma announced a series of agreements highlighted by an exclusive license for Ascendant-221 (anti-IgE) from Ascendant Health Sciences, including a $15.0 million upfront payment, up to $676.5 million in milestones, and tiered royalties. To align interests, Cue will issue Ascendant pre-funded warrants for up to 551,724 shares with a potential top-up to at least 7.5% ownership upon milestone achievement, alongside lock-up, standstill, and voting commitments. Separately, Cue agreed to a private placement expected to raise approximately $30 million through pre-funded warrants and five-year warrants priced at $11.00 per unit, and granted registration rights to the investors. The transactions support pipeline expansion and provide capital for development and corporate needs.

**Agreement 1: Cue Biopharma Licenses Anti-IgE Asset From Ascendant; $15M Upfront, Up to $676.5M in Milestones**

-   **Agreement type**: Exclusive worldwide (ex-Greater China) license for anti-IgE antibody and related products
-   **Counterparty**: Ascendant Health Sciences
-   **Signed / Effective**: Apr 30 2026 / Apr 30 2026
-   **Duration / Termination**: Per product Royalty Term; early termination rights
-   **Reason**: Expand pipeline with late-stage anti-IgE program and global rights

**Agreement 2: Cue Biopharma to Issue Pre-Funded Warrants to Ascendant; Potential Top-Up to 7.5% Ownership**

-   **Agreement type**: Securities Purchase Agreement for pre-funded warrants and potential equity top-up
-   **Counterparty**: Ascendant Health Sciences
-   **Signed / Effective**: Apr 30 2026 / Apr 30 2026
-   **Duration / Termination**: Pre-Funded Warrants exercisable up to 10 years after issuance
-   **Reason**: Align licensor via equity and support transaction structure

**Agreement 3: Cue Biopharma and Ascendant Enter Investor Agreement With Lock-Up and 18-Month Standstill**

-   **Agreement type**: Investor Agreement with lock-up, standstill, and voting provisions
-   **Counterparty**: Ascendant Health Sciences
-   **Signed / Effective**: Apr 30 2026 / Apr 30 2026
-   **Duration / Termination**: Lock-up 360 days; standstill 18 months
-   **Reason**: Support governance stability and orderly market post-transaction

**Agreement 4: Cue Biopharma Raises ~$30M via Private Placement of Pre-Funded Warrants and 5-Year Warrants**

-   **Agreement type**: Private placement of pre-funded warrants and five-year warrants
-   **Counterparty**: Accredited investors
-   **Signed / Effective**: Apr 30 2026 / Apr 30 2026
-   **Duration / Termination**: Warrants exercisable 5 years; Pre-Funded Warrants no stated expiry
-   **Reason**: Raise capital to fund development and corporate needs

**Agreement 5: Cue Biopharma Grants Registration Rights for Resale of Private Placement Warrant Shares**

-   **Agreement type**: Registration Rights Agreement for resale of warrant shares
-   **Counterparty**: Accredited investors
-   **Signed / Effective**: Apr 30 2026 / Apr 30 2026
-   **Duration / Termination**: Until resale completed or securities cease to be registrable
-   **Reason**: Provide liquidity and protections to new investors

Original SEC Filing: Cue Biopharma, Inc. \[ CUE \] - 8-K - Apr. 30, 2026

**Disclaimer**

This is an AI-powered summary. It may contain inaccuracies. Consider verifying important information with the source. Please note this summary is solely based on documents filed with the SEC.

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