ABL Bio said on the 23rd that it recently presented preclinical research on bispecific antibody ADCs (antibody-drug conjugates) at the American Association for Cancer Research. ADCs are a technology that treats cancer cells by attaching a drug to an antibody.
Antibodies recognize and bind to antigens on the surface of cancer cells. Bispecific antibodies join two different antibodies, offering better therapeutic effects and higher safety than single antibodies.
The company disclosed preclinical results for its bispecific antibody ADC candidates ABL206 and ABL209. ABL206 reportedly entered cancer cells rapidly and showed anticancer effects. ABL209 showed reduced binding to normal tissue and high binding to cancer cells.
Both candidates hold clinical and global development rights at the U.S. subsidiary Neok Bio. They are currently conducting a phase 1 clinical trial with approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Chief Executive Officer Lee Sang-hoon of ABL Bio said, "Bispecific antibody ADCs are a technology that will overcome the limits of single antibodies," adding, "We have begun full-scale development of next-generation ADCs."