Celltrion's next-generation multi-antibody immuno-oncology drug under development has produced positive results in preclinical studies.
Celltrion said on the 12th that it presented research findings for its multi-antibody drug candidate "CT-P72/ABP-102" at the "World Bispecific & T-Cell Engager Summit South Korea" held in Seoul on the 11th.
CT-P72/ABP-102 is an anticancer treatment candidate that Celltrion is co-developing with Abpro Holdings, a U.S. biotech company. It is a T-cell engager (TCE) therapy that links the HER2 protein expressed on the surface of cancer cells with T cells, a type of immune cell, to induce immune cells to attack cancer cells.
According to the presentation, the substance showed strong anticancer effects against tumor cells with high HER2 expression in in vitro cell experiments. In contrast, its cytotoxicity against cells with low HER2 expression was relatively low. This confirmed the potential to selectively target cancer cells. Safety assessments also yielded positive results.
In a gastric cancer animal model resistant to existing therapies, it showed strong tumor-suppressing effects. Anticancer effects were also observed in models of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer, bladder cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma. Celltrion plans to review the potential to expand indications based on these findings.
In the breast cancer study, an Organoid-based microphysiological system (MPS) was also used. MPS is an experimental platform that simulates the human body environment and is used to predict drug responses before patient dosing. The company said the experiment confirmed T-cell tumor infiltration and anticancer effects.
A company official said, "Through preclinical studies, we confirmed high anticancer efficacy against HER2-overexpressing tumors and excellent tolerability," and added, "Having confirmed treatment potential in a variety of solid tumors, we will successfully conduct clinical trials and develop this into a new drug that can address unmet medical needs."
Celltrion plans to accelerate clinical development based on the latest findings. In Dec. last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the investigational new drug (IND) application for the phase 1 trial of the candidate. The company is screening patients and plans to apply for FDA Fast Track designation within the year.