HK Innoen Advances CAR-T Cell Therapy Development with National Support

HK Innoen announced on the 16th that its chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy research project has been selected as a national new drug development support project by the Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF).

Exterior view of HK Inno.N Seoul Office. [Photo by HK Inno.N]

HK Innoen is developing a cell therapy by conjugating an antibody that inhibits the activity of the immune checkpoint human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G to CAR-T cells. HLA-G is not expressed in normal cells except for the placenta, and its overexpression in cancer cells is considered one of the factors that disrupt the immune system. HK Innoen aims to develop a therapy that kills cancer cells while restoring the patient's immune response, thereby improving accuracy and safety. Currently, preclinical trials are underway targeting solid tumors that express HLA-G. With this KDDF support, the goal is to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials.

Song Geun-seok, Vice President of Research and Development (R&D) at HK Innoen, said, "We are focusing on the value of cell and gene therapies (CGT), which are representatives of advanced biopharmaceuticals, and are conducting in-house research, joint research, contract manufacturing (CMO), and contract development and manufacturing (CDMO)." He added, "Since we have been selected as a national new drug development support project, we will strive to develop innovative therapies that contribute to the nation and patients."