LG Chem is launching development of a next-generation cancer drug targeting so-called "unexplored targets" that are considered difficult to tackle with medicines.
LG Chem said on the 1st that it signed an exclusive global license agreement for development and commercialization with U.S. biotech Frontier Medicines for the anticancer drug candidate "FMC-220." Under the deal, LG Chem will handle development and sales of the compound worldwide except China. It will pay an upfront payment, development and commercialization milestones, and sales royalties.
FMC-220 is a targeted therapy that restores protein function by aiming at "Y220C," a mutation of the tumor-suppressor protein p53. Although this mutation is found in about 1% to 3% of all cancer patients, it has been regarded as an "undruggable" target due to structural constraints that make drug development difficult.
The FMC-220 candidate is designed on a covalent-binding basis and irreversibly binds to the target protein. Compared with the conventional noncovalent approach, it is expected to offer greater binding stability and competitive durability of effect.
In preclinical stages, anticancer efficacy and durability of response were confirmed even at low doses. Antitumor activity was maintained in tumor models with concomitant KRAS mutations. There is also potential to expand into diverse patient groups.
LG Chem plans to develop ovarian cancer, which has a relatively high p53 Y220C mutation rate, as the first indication, then broaden indications to several solid tumors. It plans to enter phase 1 trials in the United States and Korea within the year. It intends to leverage the network of its U.S. oncology subsidiary AVEO to accelerate global development.
Son Ji-woong, head of LG Chem's Life Sciences Business Division, said, "FMC-220 is a new approach that targets a genetic mutation with limited treatment options," and added, "We will work to demonstrate a meaningful treatment possibility for patients."