11 Research Findings Presented at AACR 2025
Hanmi Pharmaceutical has unveiled its strategy for developing next-generation immuno-oncology drugs utilizing the 'mRNA platform' approach, a next-generation modality, at the world's largest cancer research conference.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical researchers presenting their research results at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR 2025) held in Chicago, USA, from the 25th to the 30th of last month. Hanmi Pharmaceutical
On May 13, Hanmi Pharmaceutical announced that it presented 11 research findings on seven new drug candidates at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR 2025), held in Chicago, USA, from April 25 to 30.
The most notable presentation was on the 'STING mRNA anti-cancer drug,' which directly expresses the STING (Stimulator of IFN Genes) protein to induce a strong anti-tumor immune response.
Typically, immuno-oncology drugs have focused on restoring T-cell function primarily through immune checkpoint inhibitors. Conventional STING agonists have faced limitations in therapeutic efficacy due to metabolic instability, reduced intracellular delivery efficiency, and decreased STING expression in actual tumor tissues.
The STING mRNA anti-cancer drug presented by Hanmi Pharmaceutical at this conference was shown, through experiments using cell lines, to effectively activate various immune responses by increasing the secretion of anti-tumor cytokines in both cancer cells and immune cells.
In a colorectal cancer animal model, the STING mRNA anti-cancer drug demonstrated a significant tumor-suppressing effect even when administered as a monotherapy. In particular, it is expected to offer a new immunotherapy strategy based on its high potential for combination with multiple anti-cancer agents and excellent synergistic effects.
Additionally, two research findings on the 'p53 mRNA anti-cancer drug,' another mRNA platform-based candidate, were presented. This therapy induces apoptosis in cancer cells by ensuring normal intracellular expression of the p53 protein, a representative tumor suppressor gene. At this conference, results were disclosed showing effective inhibition of cancer cell growth in orthotopic lung and ovarian cancer animal models. Notably, it demonstrated excellent synergy when combined with taxane-based chemotherapies, and anti-tumor activity was confirmed in lung and ovarian cancer animal models when combined with Abraxane.
Two preclinical studies were also presented on BH3120, a next-generation immuno-oncology drug applying the 'Pentambody' bispecific antibody platform technology, which is being developed primarily by the Beijing Hanmi Pharmaceutical R&D Center. BH3120 is currently undergoing a global Phase 1 clinical trial in Korea and the United States to evaluate the safety and tolerability of both monotherapy and combination therapy with Keytruda.
In parallel with the clinical studies, the Beijing Hanmi R&D Center is conducting various preclinical studies to further elucidate the in vivo mechanism of action.
Research evaluating the hepatotoxicity risk of BH3120 using a highly sensitive new liver toxicity assessment model, as well as an analysis of the impact of BH3120 on the immune environment at the genetic level within virtual tumor tissues, were also disclosed. Both studies are expected to provide important insights for interpreting ongoing clinical research results and for establishing future development strategies.
As for targeted anti-cancer drugs, the following were introduced: two studies on the EZH1/2 dual inhibitor (HM97662), two studies on the selective HER2 inhibitor (HM100714), the MAT2A inhibitor (HM100760), and the SOS1 inhibitor (HM101207).
A Hanmi Pharmaceutical representative stated, "This year's AACR presentations showcased the creative future value of Hanmi's oncology pipeline, which forms the core foundation of our new drug development," adding, "We will continue to demonstrate Hanmi's global research and development competitiveness by presenting innovative research achievements in rare diseases at the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) in May and in obesity and metabolism at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in June."
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