A gastrointestinal cancer treatment applying LigaChem Biosciences(141080)'s Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) platform technology is entering a U.S. clinical trial. With this, three ADCs using LigaChem Biosciences' technology have advanced into clinical development.
LigaChem Biosciences said on the 31st that partner ExoThera Therapeutics' CA242-targeting ADC candidate "IKS04" received investigational new drug (IND) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
With this approval, ExoThera can begin a phase 1 trial in the United States for patients with gastrointestinal cancers, including gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, and biliary tract cancers.
ExoThera is also conducting phase 1 trials for the HER2-targeting "IKS014" and the CD19-targeting "IKS03." Both are ADCs using LigaChem Biosciences' technology.
CA242 is a protein that is highly expressed in several gastrointestinal cancers but rarely appears in normal tissue. Because of this, it is drawing attention as a target that selectively attacks cancer cells.
IKS04 is an ADC that applies LigaChem Biosciences' linker and payload technology to an antibody targeting CA242.
An unconjugated antibody was administered together as well. As a strategy to help the drug penetrate tumor tissue better, preclinical studies showed higher anticancer effects than the conventional approach, the company said.