Celltrion has set a goal to begin commercializing antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) new drugs by 2030. Its blueprint is to evolve from developing biosimilars (biopharmaceutical generics) to becoming a 'new drug developer.'
On the 22nd, Celltrion held a research and development event titled 'Celltrion Science & Innovation Day' at the Fairmont Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, targeting domestic and international securities analysts, and announced its strategy for new drug development focusing on antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) on the 25th. This was the first event prepared to share the company's new drug research achievements and future strategies.
ADC is a therapeutic technology that attaches drugs to antibodies that bind to cancer cells, delivering the drugs precisely to cancer cells. It is known as a guided missile as it only accurately attacks cancer cells.
The key direction revealed at the event is to maintain the existing antibody and linker while differentiating the payload (drug) as 'biobetter (improved biopharmaceuticals).'
Celltrion aims to enter clinical phase 1 for three ADC pipelines: CT-P70, CT-P71, and CT-P73 this year.
CT-P70 started clinical phase 1 with the first dosing in stomach cancer patients on July 15, and the goal is to receive accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a second-line treatment for gastric esophageal cancer by 2030.
CT-P71 has received investigational new drug (IND) approval and is on the verge of clinical entry, and the company evaluates that it has significant expandability as it can newly target the patient group resistant to the bladder cancer treatment Padcev.
CT-P73 targets the tissue factor, a protein involved in blood coagulation that is overexpressed in tumors, and IND approval application is expected in September of this year.
Seojin-seok, CEO of Celltrion, said at the event, 'We are accelerating the pace of new drug development through active collaboration, in addition to our own experience and know-how accumulated over a long period in the field of antibodies,' and added, 'We will develop new drugs that can present better treatment alternatives in various areas, including the oncology field where unmet medical needs are high, and swiftly lead to commercialization.'
Kwon Gi-seong, head of research and development, emphasized that the company is firmly establishing itself as a new drug development corporation by introducing Celltrion's new drug development strategy and mid- to long-term plans.
Celltrion plans to develop bispecific antibody ADCs and dual payload ADCs in the mid- to long-term. Including CT-P72, it plans to enter clinical trials for a total of four bispecific antibody pipelines by 2028, and states that it will sequentially develop dual payload ADCs that maximize therapeutic effects by combining different drugs.
Yeonorae, a manager at Hyundai Motor Securities, noted, 'Although we have entered as a latecomer in the ADC market, we are accelerating the pace of new drug development with stable funding and collaboration with partner companies,' predicting that commercialization through accelerated approval will be possible starting in 2030.