[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Immunis Bio, a company researching anticancer cell therapies, has received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for a Phase 1 clinical trial of the NK cell therapy MYJ1633 as a monotherapy targeting gastric cancer.
The clinical trial will involve 10 gastric cancer patients who have not shown significant effects from second-line anticancer treatments and will be conducted at Gangnam Severance Hospital. The therapy MYJ1633 administered in the trial is not only effective in eliminating cancer cells but also excels at killing cancer stem cells, which are the root cause of cancer. It can reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, thereby alleviating patient suffering.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, South Korea has the highest incidence rate of gastric cancer in the world, with 280,000 domestic gastric cancer patients. The number is increasing by approximately 30,000 annually.
This clinical trial is Immunis Bio’s first monotherapy design among its commercial clinical trials. The goal is to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of NK cell therapy as an immuno-oncology agent. Upon successful completion of this trial, additional trials are planned to expand its general efficacy.
Jung-hwa Kang, CEO of Immunis Bio, said, "Following the combination therapy clinical design targeting HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer, we are starting another gastric cancer clinical trial," adding, "There are high expectations for the development of gastric cancer treatments." She further stated, "It is significant that the anticancer potential of cell therapies, previously regarded as adjuvant treatments, has been recognized."
Immunis Bio, preparing for a listing on the KOSDAQ market, has selected Kiwoom Securities as its lead manager. After undergoing technology evaluation and designated audits, it plans to submit a preliminary listing review application.
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