Image credit: shutterstock
Eucure Biopharma, a China-based clinical-stage biotechnology startup focused on the development of antibody therapeutics, has entered into a collaborative agreement with ISU ABXIS Co., a Korea-based clinical stage company developing immuno-oncology drugs.
Under the terms of the agreement, ISU ABXIS will utilize the sequence of YH003, Biocytogen’s humanized agonistic anti-CD40 antibody currently in phase II clinical trials, to construct a few groups of tri-specific antibodies and develop cancer drugs for multiple indications using its technology platform. A wholly owned subsidiary of Biocytogen, Eucure Biopharma will receive an upfront payment, milestone payments and royalties.
“Biocytogen utilized its unique evidence-based in vivo drug screening platform to obtain YH003, which has demonstrated a good preclinical safety and efficacy profile,” said Dr Rong Chen, Vice President of Biocytogen and CEO/CMO of Eucure Biopharma. “Further, YH003’s phase I clinical trials indicate good tolerability and safety profiles, as well as encouraging antitumour activities against several tumour types, including malignant melanoma and pancreatic cancer.”
“CD40 is a key co-stimulator in adaptive immune responses,” said Yeob Hwang, CEO of ISU ABXIS. “We are glad for the opportunity to utilize Biocytogen/Eucure Biopharma’s anti-CD40 antibody (YH003), as it has outstanding efficacy and safety profiles, both preclinically and clinically. These favorable properties will undoubtedly accelerate our tri-specific antibody development against tumours.”
