LegoChem Bio’s tech recipients reveal clinical trial plans for ADC candidates

LegoChem Biosciences said that CStone Pharmaceuticals and Pyxis Oncology, which received its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology last year, have presented their development plans of the candidate materials for blood and solid cancer.

LegoChem Biosciences said Thursday that CStone Pharmaceuticals and Pyxis Oncology, which received its antibody-drug conjugate technology for cancer treatment last year, have presented clinical development plans.

CStone Pharmaceuticals, which received the global sales rights of LCB71 (ROR1-ADC) in October 2020, plans to introduce four differentiated strengths compared to rival candidates developed by VelosBio and NBE Therapeutics. The company will submit an investigational new drug (IND) application this year, aiming to launch the treatment for blood cancer in 2026.

Pyxis Oncology also has presented its preclinical data and detailed schedule for future clinical studies of its three ADC pipelines, including LCB67 (DLK1-ADC) for solid cancers. The company received the related technology from LegoChem Biosciences in December last year. Pyxis Oncology will enter clinical trials one by one after submitting the IND application from next year.

Meanwhile, ADC Therapeutics' Zynlonta (CD19-ADC) received U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval. Zynlonta is a drug based on the pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) toxin used for LCB73 (CD19-ADC) and shares the same target.

LCB73, which uses LegoChem Biosciences' next-generation PBD toxin, has proven superior efficacy and toxicity compared to Zynlonta in non-clinical tests, and the technology was transferred to Iksuda Therapeutics in May 2020. LCB73 is scheduled to submit an IND application this year.

"LCB14 (HER2-ADC) is undergoing smooth clinical trials through China's Fosun Farma, and the company is planning a global clinical trial through technology transfer," a LegoChem Biosciences official said. "We have already secured a follow-up ADC candidate for next year's IND application and plan to develop more candidates by aggressively introducing antibody technology aside from conducting joint researches with antibody companies."

Early this year, LegoChem Biosciences announced that it would secure two to three more candidates a year and enter independent clinical trials while transferring secured technology in the early stages to maximize its corporate value.

The company plans to establish a U.S. branch specializing in clinical development in Boston, Mass., and conduct global clinical trials for at least one ADC candidate every year.