Iksuda Therapeutics (Iksuda), the developer of a new generation of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with raised therapeutic index, today announced further expansion of its differentiated ADC pipeline through a license and commercialisation agreement with LegoChem Biosciences (LCB), a Korean biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of next-generation novel therapeutics utilising its proprietary medicinal drug discovery technologies.
The agreement provides Iksuda with exclusive world-wide rights (excluding Greater China and South Korea) to LCB’s Her2 ADC programme, LCB14. The agreement includes development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments to LCB contingent on successful achievement of certain milestones as well as royalties on commercial sales.
Iksuda anticipates that LCB14, now designated IKS014, will enter a phase 1 clinical trial programme in the US during Q3 2022.
LCB14 is under license from LCB to Fosun Pharma for Greater China where it is designated FS-1502. Fosun is currently conducting a phase 1 clinical trial in China in patients with breast cancer.
This agreement with LCB allows Iksuda to further expand its clinical development pipeline. The Company’s IKS03 programme, a best-in-class CD19-targeting ADC, is also expected to enter phase 1 clinical trials in H1 2022.
Iksuda is also rapidly expanding its pre-clinical pipeline. These assets centre on delivering ADCs with raised therapeutic index through both improved safety and efficacy, conferred by tumour activated, prodrug payloads in combination with stable conjugation technologies, including its proprietary novel PermaLink® platform.
Iksuda announced the completion of its Series A financing round in June 2021, co-led by Celltrion Inc and Mirae Asset Capital, further recognising the Company’s expertise in ADCs and underpinning its commitment to targeting the treatment of cancers with currently limited treatment options.1
Dr Dave Simpson, Chief Executive Officer, Iksuda Therapeutics, said: “This agreement further demonstrates Iksuda’s commitment to the development of differentiated ADCs that will potentially bring benefit to patients living with cancer. Importantly, it is also further recognition of the unmatched expertise of our team.
“We continue to focus on delivering our strategy of driving potentially valuable therapies through the clinic for cancer indications with high burden and for where there are limited treatment options. Our wholly-owned pipeline is supplemented with in-licensed assets where we been able leverage our expertise to recognise promising opportunities from others to partner and then develop further, utilising our armoury of [proprietary] payload and conjugation platforms where necessary.”
Dr. Young-Lag Cho, Chief Development Officer and VP of LegoChem Biosciences, said: “Iksuda is the best partner for the expedited development of HER2 ADC. Learning from Iksuda’s world class expertise and experience on ADC development by jointly conducting phase 1 trial in US will strengthen our internal development capabilities while accelerating advancement of our other ADC programs.”
Yong-Zu Kim, CEO, LegoChem Biosciences, commented: “Recognising Iksuda’s depth of knowledge within the field of ADCs we are pleased to once again expand our relationship and our continued efforts to develop a broad pipeline of pre-clinical and clinical opportunities.”
