Shine-On Biotech Licenses Patented Exosome Small-Molecule Drug Loading Technology to ESCO Aster

Shine-On Biotech (Ticker: 6926) announced a licensing agreement with Singapore-based ESCO Aster for its patented technology that enables efficient loading of small-molecule anticancer drugs into exosomes.

This deal combines Shine-On’s patented drug loading method with ESCO Aster’s cGMP manufacturing facilities and proprietary 3D Adherent Tide Motion bioreactor system to speed the development and commercialization of exosome-based chemotherapy products in Southeast Asia (ASEAN) and Australia/New Zealand.Under the agreement, Shine-On will receive an licensing fee of NT$200 million and ongoing 5% royalties on product sales in the licensed territories.Shine-On is recognized globally for its exosome therapeutic R&D, including its cancer cell-specific targeted exosome drug carrier SOB100 currently progressing through FDA IND Phase I review, but this licensing agreement specifically pertains to the patented technology for encapsulating small-molecule drugs into exosomes—not the targeted exosome platform itself.

The licensing enables ESCO Aster to develop multiple exosome-encapsulated chemotherapy products using their proprietary chemotherapeutics, creating market advantages in the licensed regions.Market analyses estimate liposomal chemotherapy drugs generated USD 120–130 million in sales in 2023 and project growth past USD 200 million by 2030–2034 (CAGR 5–7%).

 Exosome drug carriers are at an early but rapidly growing phase, projected to grow at about 30% CAGR over 5–15 years and reach multibillion-dollar markets in the 2030s.This licensing deal strengthens Shine-On’s position in the emerging exosome drug carrier market and establishes a valuable, long-term revenue stream through upfront fees and royalties.