Accelerating ADIC Development Including Immunomodulatory Cytokines and Payloads Through Corporate MOU
MediMabBio, which is developing immune modulation therapeutics by fusing cytokines to antibodies, has signed an MOU for joint research to develop the next-generation ADC, Antibody-Drug Immune modulator Conjugate (ADIC), together with Pinotbio, which possesses excellent ADC drug (payload toxin) and linker technologies.
This joint research and development originated from the open innovation partnering aimed at synergy among promising domestic new drug developers, as part of the 'Seoul Bio Hub-Celtrion Open Innovation Program.'
MediMabBio has developed multiple cytokine library platforms (Artikine Platform) for antibody development and immune effect modulation through years of skilled know-how. The company has recently gained external attention by announcing results showing that the fusion of technologically enhanced cytokines with specific antibodies exhibits superior anticancer and autoimmune disease treatment effects compared to using the antibodies alone. Based on these research achievements, MediMabBio was selected for the first cohort of the 'Seoul Bio Hub-Celtrion Open Innovation Program' this year and is rapidly achieving business outcomes such as signing joint research agreements with global new drug developers and being selected for scale-up TIPS projects.
Based on this MOU, Pinotbio, a company specializing in ADC development, and MediMabBio will jointly develop ADIC, which includes both immune-modulating cytokines and drugs (payload). ADIC’s core differentiation strategy from existing ADCs lies in demonstrating superior cancer treatment effects by combining the anticancer effects of ADC drugs (toxins) with enhanced in vivo immune system activation through cytokines. MediMabBio will provide a proprietary cytokine library (Artikine, Artificial Cytokine), while Pinotbio will supply independently developed ADC drugs (payload) and linkers. Pinotbio’s payload is characterized by having equal or greater efficacy and safety compared to Daiichi Sankyo’s 'Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan).' The company has recently attracted market attention by presenting research results at major conferences such as AACR and World ADC.
Yoo-Hoe Kang and Hong-Seok Cho, CEOs of MediMabBio, stated, “We do not doubt that the conjugate will exhibit higher anticancer effects due to its clear mechanism and efficacy. We plan to complete proof of concept by the first half of next year and finalize the risk and profit-sharing structure for the preclinical stage with Pinotbio. Subsequently, our goal is to achieve license-out of the candidate compounds developed by both companies through global collaboration partners.”
Du-Young Jung, CEO of Pinotbio, said, “As ADCs expand into various fields, we have gained a great opportunity to maximize Pinotbio’s strengths and look toward commercialization. We plan to accelerate next-generation ADC research and development by mutually exchanging technologies and ideas with MediMabBio, and we look forward to collaborating with various partners based on open innovation in the future.”
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