Chong Kun Dang challenges New Biologics

Confirmation of the possibility of overcoming immunity in the preclinical phase. Phase 1 clinical in progress

On the 7th, Forum on Medical Innovation introduced a strategy for developing cMET/EGFR dual antibodies

Chong Kun Dang is a new drug developer and challenges to overcome lung cancer tolerance with a dual anti-cancer antibody that simultaneously inhibits hepatocellular growth factor receptor (cMET) and epithelial cell growth factor receptor (EGFR).

 

It is planning to achieve both business performance and R&D performance with bio-new drugs that it is going to challenge for the first time.

 

Park Kyu-jin, director of Chong Kun Dang, presented the theme of "cMET/EGFR dual antibody development for lung cancer patients" at the 5th Forum on Medical Innovation online event held by the Foundation for Medical Innovation on the 7th.

 

Foundation for Medical Innovation is a non-profit corporation under the Ministry of Science and ICT established in 2016 by Professor Kim Hyo-soo of Seoul National University Hospital, who is considered an expert in cardiovascular, stem cell, and biology.

 

Director Park introduced the main research results of the bio-new drug "CKD-702," which is being developed by Chong Kun Dang, at the forum on the theme of "the latest trends and visions of next-generation bio-innovation technologies." CKD-702 is a dual anti-cancer antibody that simultaneously inhibits c-Met and EGFR, which are essential for cancer growth and proliferation.

 

By binding to each receptor to induce endocytosis and decomposition, the expression of the two receptors is reduced and cancer cell proliferation is suppressed by blocking related sub-signals.

 

It is the first bio-new drug to be challenged by Chong Kun Dang since its foundation.

 

Since launching the development of "CKD-702" in 2013, Chong Kun Dang has completed preclinical verification with the support of the pan-ministry new drug development project.

 

According to the announcement, a preclinical study of CKD-702 exclusively administered to non-small cell lung cancer animal models confirmed that CKD-702 was resistant to EGFR tyrosinase inhibitors (TKI), such as "Giotrip" (Apartmentinib) and "Tagrisso" (Osimertinib).

 

The MET exon 14 skipping mutation or MET gene amplification model, known as one of the major carcinogenes in non-small cell lung cancer, was also shown to significantly inhibit tumor growth only with CKD-702 alone.

 

The results suggest that targeted anti-cancer drugs, which are currently actively prescribed at medical sites, may be overcome.

 

Park Kyu-jin, director of Chong Kun Dang, is introducing the CKD-702 action mechanism at the forum

Based on such preclinical data, Chong Kun Dang has been conducting phase 1 clinical tests in Korea since last year for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

 

It is exploring the possibility of subsequent development by administering CKD-702 solo therapy to those who express specific mutant findings among patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

 

According to Director Park, "CKD-702" has a low binding power to EGFR, which has a low risk of developing skin toxicity, which was considered a side effect of EGFR targeted anti-cancer drugs.

 

On the other hand, cancer cell proliferation ability is better than c-MET target anti-cancer drug and EGFR target anti-cancer drug combined.

 

If preclinical results are reproduced at the clinical stage, the potential is sufficient as the best-in-class in the family, even if it is not the world's first-in-class.

 

Director Park said, "We are targeting non-small cell lung cancer, which mainly expresses c-MET and EGFR, as the first indication.

 

"We are in the process of comprehensively reviewing the possibility of global technology exports or internal development," he said.

 

"We plan to push for global clinical trials by expanding our coverage to stomach cancer and head and neck cancer in the future."