AbClon's (174900.KQ) licensing partner is expanding clinical development of an antibody drug candidate into colorectal cancer.
AbClon said on Sept. 29 that clinical programs for AC101 (HLX22), an innovative antibody drug candidate targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) licensed to China's Henlius, have grown to nine, including colorectal cancer. Seven have been added in about a year from the two indications in place at the end of last year, gastric cancer and HER2-low breast cancer.
Henlius formally registered a new Phase 2 trial of HLX22 on Sept. 22 in 180 patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive colorectal cancer. The trial involves 47 top-tier medical institutions in China, including Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. In treatment-naive patients, HLX22 will be combined with chemotherapy to assess its effect as a first-line treatment. In patients who have failed at least two existing standard therapies, it will be given with the existing drug trastuzumab to test its potential as a later-line treatment.
The global colorectal cancer market is projected to grow to $30.0959 billion from $22.2753 billion in 2024 by 2033, according to market research firm Custom Market Insights.
"It is significant that the development scope of AC101 has widened to colorectal cancer, in addition to gastric and breast cancer," an AbClon official said. "We expect royalty income under the licensing agreement, not only from metastatic gastric cancer, which is slated for commercialization in 2028, but also depending on future trial results, approvals and commercial performance."
Henlius also added a new Phase 2 trial in 90 breast cancer patients whose disease progressed after treatment with HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) such as Enhertu. The trial aims to test the drug's potential as a new treatment option for patients whose disease advanced even after HER2-targeted ADC therapy.
