AOC Drug Market Poised to Reach $5.3 Billion as Global Pharma Companies Accelerate Strategic Layouts

　　【Pharmaceutical Network Market Analysis】Currently, AOC (Antibody-Oligonucleotide Conjugates) have become a hotspot in the pharmaceutical field due to their unique technical advantages. Reports predict that by 2030, the AOC market size will reach 5.26 billion US dollars. It is reported that in this potential market, pharmaceutical companies both in China and abroad are also increasing their investments.
 

In October 2025, Novartis announced the acquisition of Avidity Biosciences for $12 billion. According to available information, Avidity Biosciences is dedicated to developing Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™) for the treatment of serious diseases, with an initial focus on rare hereditary neuromuscular disorders such as DM1, FSHD, and DMD. Avidity’s proprietary platform aims to enable targeted delivery of RNA therapeutics to muscle tissue via TfR1 monoclonal antibodies, modulating disease-causing genetic mechanisms. Through this acquisition, Novartis gains Avidity’s muscle-targeting AOC technology platform along with three late-stage potential first-in-class therapies for hereditary neuromuscular disorders, further strengthening Novartis’ position in the neuroscience field.
 

In November 2023, BMS and Avidity reached a collaboration with a potential value of $2.3 billion. Data shows that Avidity has established its self-developed AOC™ platform through experiments and tracking data. This platform integrates oligonucleotide therapy, RNA process regulation, antibody engineering and conjugation, as well as advanced delivery technologies. The collaboration between BMS and Avidity includes the discovery, development, and commercialization of AOCs (Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates) for up to five cardiovascular targets.
 

As early as April 2019, Eli Lilly and Avidity reached a global licensing and research collaboration, leveraging Avidity's AOC platform to develop drugs for immunology and other indications, with a focus on exploring the field of autoimmune diseases.
 

In the Chinese market, although the overall progress in the AOC field is not as advanced as overseas, many China-produced Biotech companies and large pharmaceutical enterprises are actively entering the market. For instance, in October this year, the TfR1 antibody-siRNA drug CGB1001 developed by Jiayi Bio has been granted FDA Orphan Drug Designation for DM1 treatment. This orphan drug designation will bring various advantages to the further development and commercialization of CGB1001, along with a series of preferential policies and support provided by the U.S. FDA, which will provide strong assurance for the implementation of CGB1001.
 

In addition, in March this year, SunNovo and YOUJIA BIO signed a project cooperation agreement and a strategic cooperation agreement. The core of the cooperation is that both parties will jointly develop an innovative AOC drug, which combines antibodies with siRNA drugs through the AOC technology platform to achieve precise regulation of target molecules, with the aim of achieving better therapeutic effects.
 

Data show that AOC, a complex formed by conjugating antibodies with oligonucleotides through linkers, combines the targeting ability of antibodies with the therapeutic activity of oligonucleotides. Structurally similar to ADC, the payload in AOC is replaced by nucleic acid drugs with gene regulation functions instead of small-molecule toxins. AOC has three core advantages: extrhepatic delivery capability, longer half-life, and lower off-target toxicity. As the next-generation precision treatment platform following ADC, AOC is rapidly developing due to its unique advantages in regulating gene expression levels. From the investment focus of multinational leaders to the accelerated catch-up of Chinese pharmaceutical companies, the innovative vitality of the AOC field will be further unleashed. With continuous technological maturity and the accumulation of clinical data, the pharmaceutical industry is expected to open up new growth opportunities.
 

Disclaimer: In any case, the information or opinions expressed in this article do not constitute investment advice to any person.