Voronoi Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment 'VRN11' Selected for National New Drug Development Project

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Voronoi announced on the 12th that its next-generation precision targeted therapy for non-small cell lung cancer, ‘VRN11,’ has been selected as a new non-clinical support project by the Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF). Following this selection, Voronoi will receive approximately 1.2 billion KRW in preclinical research and development funding for VRN11 over two years.

VRN11 is a kinase inhibitor that precisely targets the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) C797S mutation and other rare EGFR mutations, which arise as drug resistance after treatment with third-generation targeted therapies such as Tagrisso (active ingredient Osimertinib) in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Voronoi explained that in preclinical experiments, VRN11 demonstrated selectivity and brain penetration superior to other EGFR-targeted therapies for non-small cell lung cancer that global competitors have launched or are currently developing. Research data on VRN11’s preclinical studies will be disclosed for the first time at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) conference this October.

Daegwon Kim, CEO of Voronoi, said, “Following last year’s selection for the ‘MPS1 inhibitor targeted therapy’ and ‘HER2-positive breast cancer treatment substance,’ being chosen again for the national drug development project this year reaffirmed Voronoi’s technological capabilities. We plan to accelerate VRN11’s research and development and enter Phase 1 clinical trials next year.”