In-Person ASCO Cancer Conference After 3 Years... 'K-Bio' Also Fully Mobilized [BioNOW]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] One of the largest events in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, where cancer experts from around the world gather, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is being held in Chicago, USA, from the 3rd to the 7th (local time) over five days.

ASCO is the world's most prestigious cancer society. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was held virtually for two consecutive years in 2020 and last year, but this year it is finally being held in person for the first time in three years. Related companies worldwide participate to present clinical results of new drug candidates under research and actively discuss technology transactions.

According to the industry on the 6th, domestic companies conducting cancer-related research and development (R&D) have actively participated as it is a venue offering various opportunities. ▲Yuhan Corporation ▲MedPacto ▲HLB ▲NKMAX ▲Genexine ▲Abion ▲NeoImmuneTech ▲Lunit and others are presenting their research results.

Yuhan Corporation will present interim results of a Phase 2 clinical trial of the combination therapy of the anticancer drug 'Leclaza' (generic name: Lazertinib), which was licensed out to Janssen for 1.4 trillion KRW in 2018, and Janssen's bispecific antibody therapy 'Rybrevant' (generic name: Amivantamab). The number of patients was increased from 29 to 50 compared to the presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) last year, confirming an objective response rate (ORR) of 36% in patients with resistant non-small cell lung cancer. The industry expects a high possibility of accelerated approval based on this, as there is no globally recognized treatment.

Yuhan Corporation's non-small cell lung cancer treatment 'Leclaza' (generic name 'Lazertinib')

MedPacto will present Phase 1b clinical trial results of the combination therapy of 'Vactosertib' and chemotherapy (FLOFOX). While some effective data were confirmed during the clinical process, no serious adverse reactions were observed. Among 13 cohort patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who failed first-line treatment, partial response was 23.1%, stable disease 38.5%, and disease control rate 61.5%.

HLB will present Phase 2 clinical data on metastatic and recurrent salivary gland carcinoma. This rare cancer, known as 'salivary gland cancer,' currently has no approved treatments, and HLB is pioneering the world's first development. The targeted anticancer drug 'Rivoceranib' under development was used. According to the abstract, Rivoceranib showed an ORR of 15.1% based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST v1.1), which measures tumor size changes, and 50.8% based on the CHOI criteria, which measures both size and internal tumor density changes.

NKMAX will disclose clinical data of 'SuperNK' called 'SNK01.' Phase 1 clinical data of SNK01 monotherapy and SNK01 combined with 'Bavencio' (generic name: Avelumab) in refractory solid tumors (sarcoma) will be presented.

Abion will present Phase 1 and 2 clinical data of the non-small cell lung cancer drug candidate 'ABN401.' ABN401 is a solid tumor anticancer drug targeting the hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-MET). Most non-small cell lung cancer treatments target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which has the disadvantage of being vulnerable to resistance. The c-MET mutation, which is also a cause of such resistance, occurs in 6% of non-small cell lung cancer patients. This is why multinational pharmaceutical companies continue to challenge c-MET targeted anticancer drugs.

Additionally, data will be presented on Genexine's cervical cancer treatment 'GX-188E' combined with MSD's 'Keytruda' in Phase 1b and 2 clinical trials, CrystalGenomics' pancreatic cancer Phase 1b and 2 clinical trials, NeoImmuneTech's immune-oncology candidate 'NT-I7' in combination with various immuno-oncology drugs, and Geninus' cancer vaccine research.

Medical device company Lunit will present research results demonstrating the potential of its AI-based tissue analysis platform 'Lunit Scope' as a biomarker for cancer treatment. A total of 11 research presentations will be made, including 7 posters and 4 online abstracts.