ABION Announces ABN202, a Next-Generation Antibody Application Platform, at the American Association for Cancer Research Conference: "Confirmed Excellent Anticancer Efficacy"

Abion announced on the 6th that it has released abstracts of three studies on the technology of ABN202, which will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR 2024). AACR will be held from April 5 to 10 (local time) in San Diego, California, USA.

Abion will present ▲preclinical results of ABN202-aEGFR in non-small cell lung cancer ▲preclinical results of ABN202-aTrop2 targeted anticancer agent in Trop2-positive solid tumors ▲preclinical results of ABN202-VISTAxMSLN (Vista·Mesothelin bispecific antibody), a bispecific antibody cytokine conjugate protein ▲and preclinical results of ABN501 in small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

‘ABN202-aEGFR’, targeting EGFR, is a technology applying the ACFP (antibody-cytokine fusion protein) platform to cetuximab, a well-known EGFR-targeting antibody. Anticancer activity of ABN202 was confirmed in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines with various EGFR mutations and in animal models. The company disclosed excellent antitumor activity in this abstract.

‘ABN202-aTrop2’ is an antibody-cytokine conjugate protein. Trop2 is known to be overexpressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), bladder cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, and others. Although Trop2-targeting ADCs (antibody-drug conjugates) such as Trodelvy currently exist, they have significant side effects and short duration of response (DOR), resulting in a high unmet need for new therapies after ADCs. ABN202-aTrop2 demonstrated excellent anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo preclinical results targeting Trop2-expressing solid tumors.

‘ABN202-VISTAxMSLN’ is being developed as an anticancer agent targeting the rare cancer malignant mesothelioma by incorporating the ACFP platform into a bispecific antibody. Vista and mesothelin have been identified as genes highly expressed in malignant mesothelioma through prior studies. Efficacy evaluation using in vitro and in vivo models of malignant mesothelioma confirmed excellent anticancer effects, and it is planned to be developed as a first-in-class innovative drug to provide a new treatment option.

An Abion representative said, “These research results demonstrate that the ABN202 antibody-cytokine conjugate platform technology can be a novel therapeutic strategy differentiated from ADCs for various solid tumors,” adding, “Especially since the platform technology has been proven up to bispecific antibodies, it is expected to create synergy with various technologies as a next-generation antibody application platform.”