[Announcement+] MedPacto Obtains Patent for Composition Diagnosing Cancer Metastasis and Recurrence

Technology and Rights Acquisition for MO-B2 Composition

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] MedPacto, a biomarker-based innovative drug development company, announced on the 27th that it has obtained a patent related to a diagnostic kit that can predict cancer metastasis and recurrence based on a specific gene.

This patent pertains to the BAG2 detection technology that can predict cancer metastasis or recurrence, and its official name is "Composition for cancer diagnosis using BAG2 antibody and method thereof."

'BAG2' is a protein that binds to the gene cathepsin B (CTSB), which promotes tumor cell proliferation and suppresses immune cell activity, causing cancer metastasis and recurrence.

MedPacto is developing the cancer metastasis diagnostic kit 'MO-B2' using this patented technology as a follow-up pipeline to the anticancer drug 'Becatocsertip.'

Previously, MedPacto was the first to discover through genetic analysis of triple-negative breast cancer patients that BAG2 is involved in cancer metastasis. Notably, BAG2 has been found not only in breast cancer but also in patients with ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other cancer types, confirming that BAG2 expression is a major cause of cancer metastasis.

Based on research results showing that inhibiting BAG2 expression can control cancer cell growth and metastasis, the company is evaluating efficacy and safety across various indications. Additionally, the company is developing an antibody therapeutic targeting BAG2 called 'MA-B2' alongside MO-B2.

In the future, MedPacto plans to provide a solution that enables early prediction of cancer recurrence and metastasis with MO-B2 and administer MA-B2 to patients with high BAG2 expression, covering diagnosis through treatment. To this end, the company signed a contract in August with global medical device company Thermo Fisher Scientific for the development and production of the MO-B2 diagnostic kit.

A MedPacto official stated that obtaining this patent is part of securing core materials for a new diagnostic kit capable of diagnosing metastasis and recurrence in various cancer types, and that they plan to accelerate entry into subsequent clinical trials and technology commercialization based on the BAG2 mechanism of action.