Entering Clinical Trials for Breast Cancer Patients in the First Half of Next Year
Planning to Develop Diagnostic Kits for Predicting Metastasis and Recurrence in All Cancer Types in the Future
[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] MedPacto announced on the 3rd that it has signed a contract with global medical device company Thermo Fisher Scientific to develop and produce a diagnostic kit for predicting metastasis and recurrence of triple-negative breast cancer.
Through this contract, the two companies plan to start product development for the commercialization of a cancer metastasis and recurrence prediction kit (MO-B2) based on the mechanism of action of the BAG2 protein.
BAG2 is a protein that induces cancer metastasis activity by binding to cathepsin B (CTSB), which helps tumor cell proliferation, recurrence, and metastasis in the tumor microenvironment surrounding cancer tissues. Previously, MedPacto was the first in the world to elucidate the mechanism by which the BAG2 protein is secreted outside the cell in triple-negative breast cancer.
A MedPacto representative said, “BAG2 is secreted from cancer patients, and recent studies have verified that using our self-developed antibody has an anti-cancer effect,” adding, “In particular, BAG2 has been detected in the blood of patients with cancers other than triple-negative breast cancer, so it could be expanded to diagnose various diseases.”
In fact, MedPacto confirmed that BAG2 protein was detected at high levels not only in triple-negative breast cancer but also in other diseases such as ovarian cancer. Based on the mechanism of action of BAG2, the company expects that through the development of diagnostic kits with Thermo Fisher Scientific, it will be possible to predict metastasis and recurrence of various cancer types.
A MedPacto representative said, “The self-test results of the MO-B2 diagnostic kit currently under development showed a high level of sensitivity and specificity compared to products distributed in the market,” adding, “When commercialized as a product in the future, it is expected that not only product competitiveness but also market entry speed will be steep.”
Breast cancer is classified into three types: hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancer. The Oncotype DX by Genomic Health in the U.S., a gene test method that determines whether breast cancer patients should undergo chemotherapy, has annual sales reaching $400 million. However, diagnostic kits that predict metastasis and recurrence of breast cancer are still nonexistent.
MedPacto plans to lead the market with new diagnostics capable of predicting metastasis and recurrence of various cancer types by verifying products through a network of renowned cancer research institutes and university hospitals in the U.S.
Kim Sung-jin, CEO of MedPacto, stated, “Along with the BAG2-based MO-B2 diagnostic kit currently under development, research and development of the antibody therapeutic MA-B2 targeting BAG2 is also showing results, and in the future, we plan to develop a companion diagnostic concept that can diagnose early and treat cancer recurrence and metastasis.”
MedPacto is a company specializing in innovative new drug development based on biomarkers and holds the TGF-β inhibitor Vactosertib as a major pipeline. Currently, a total of 11 clinical trials related to Vactosertib are being conducted simultaneously. The company appears to be accelerating efforts in additional pipelines, including the MA-B2 and MO-B2 projects.
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