LigaChem Biosciences said on the 9th that it is set to receive a milestone payment (a technology fee tied to development stages) from its global partner SOTIO Biotech under their Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) platform technology transfer agreement.
Called a "guided missile" that targets cancer cells, ADC is a treatment technology that delivers drugs only to specific cancer cells by attaching a drug (payload) to an antibody via a linker.
LigaChem Biosciences signed a deal with SOTIO in Nov. 2021 and exported its ADC platform technology. SOTIO has been working to develop a solid tumor therapy by applying LigaChem Biosciences' ConjuAll to its own antibody technology. ConjuAll is a linker (connecting unit) technology that conjugates a desired amount of drug to specific sites on an antibody.
The milestone reflects development progress for SOT106, an LRRC15-targeting ADC candidate SOTIO is developing for sarcoma and other solid tumors. SOT106 aims to treat sarcoma and LRRC15-positive solid tumors.
LigaChem Biosciences said, "SOTIO plans to proceed with an investigational new drug (IND) application in the second half of this year to enter global clinical trials." This is seen as reaffirming that development plans have been on track since the technology transfer.
Earlier, SOT106 also showed potential as a "best-in-class ADC" at the preclinical stage. According to preclinical results presented at AACR 2025 last year, it demonstrated superior anticancer efficacy compared with a control drug using the same MMAE payload in mouse models of soft tissue sarcoma and osteosarcoma. Notably, a complete response was observed at 1 mg/kg, a dose clinically applicable.
Under the agreement, LigaChem Biosciences secured the right to receive up to $1.0275 billion (about 1.5 trillion won) in milestones across development and approval stages, plus royalties linked to sales (a portion of sales revenue). SOTIO is responsible for research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the candidates.