MedPacto: “license out co-developed vactosertib in 2021”

CEO Kim Seong-jin of MedPacto

“Clinical trials on colorectal, stomach and lung cancers to have results from 40 patients each”

“Vactosertib license out would transfer all development rights”

CEO Kim Seong-jin of MedPacto

MedPacto predicts to sign license out deals on its star pipeline vactosertib in around 2021.

 

Particularly, the company anticipates the license out deal would highly likely to be for the indications on colorectal, stomach and non-small cell lung cancers that are currently in co-development with MSD and AstraZeneca.

 

Vactosertib (TEW-7197) selectively inhibits Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) beta’s signaling pathway as it disrupts immunotherapy’s treatment effect.

 

The substance improves surroundings of tumor for immunocytes to effectively eliminate cancer cells.

 

At a press conference held on Dec.

 

6, MedPacto CEO Kim Seong-jin stated “Results of two clinical trials, Phase 1b and 2a, collaborating with MSD and AstraZeneca, would be out next year.

 

The trials with about 40 participating patients each is at a globally recognized level of sampling.

 

When the results are out, we expect a couple of global pharmaceutical companies to offer us the license out deals”.

 

“Considering the overall timeline, the vactosertib license out deals would be signed around 2021.

 

When the deal closes, we are not only expecting sales profit, but also a turnaround”, the CEO added.

 

Reportedly, MedPacto is currently conducting Phase 1b and 2a clinical trials on combination therapy indications for colorectal/stomach cancers and non-small cell lung cancer with MSD’s Keytruda and AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi, respectively.

 

While collaborating with MSD and AstraZeneca, MedPacto is provided with their immunotherapy medicines, Keytruda and Imfinzi.

 

So far, the company has been provided with 15 billion won worth of the medicines.

 

In addition, MedPacto is collaborating with the global pharmaceutical companies on clinical strategies and designs.

 

The Korean company is planning to transfer all rights of development for the pipeline license out deal.

 

CEO Kim explained, “While we see the license out deals to be signed in 2021, we are considering on transferring all development rights of the substance.

 

From 2021, when the license out deals are supposed to happen, we would not put down any more clinical trial cost.

 

It is informed that the December public offering fund would cover only up to next year’s vactosertib clinical trial”.

 

“Although the license out deals would transfer all development rights, commercialization in Asian region could be maintained.

 

In such case, clinical trial in Korea could be possible.

 

Profits from vactosertib would used for clinical trial on MA-B2”, the CEO further elaborated.

 

CEO Kim stressed the talks on vactobsertib license out deals would be led independently, regardless of the current pipeline partnership with MSD and AstraZeneca.

 

“Because the pipeline is co-developed with MSD and AstraZeneca, it is highly likely to be licensed out to them.

 

But other pharmaceutical companies are interested in those indications for colorectal, stomach and non-small cell lung cancers.

 

When we are to negotiate license out deals with other companies, MSD and AstraZeneca would not have the rights to refuse”, CEO Kim pin pointed.

 

MedPacto projects it would generate profit of 165.5 billion won until 2022 with pipeline license out deals on vactosertib and MA-B2.

 

The company is predicted to generate profit from 2021.

 

Previously a subsidiary of Theragen Etex, MedPacto split from the company and was established as an independent company in July 2013.

 

As of the first half of the year, Theragen Etex owns 18.1 percent of the company share.

 

The sum of share including specially related person share is 40.34 percent.

 

A former vice president and the largest shareholder of Theragen Etex, Kim Seong-jin is the current CEO of MedPacto.