Celltrion Confirms Efficacy and Safety of Solid Tumor Therapy 'CT-P73' in Preclinical Studies

Results Presented at World ADC Asia
"Low Toxicity, High Tumor Penetration Expected"

Celltrion announced on June 11 that it presented preclinical results for its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) new drug candidate, 'CT-P73', at the ongoing 'World ADC Asia Summit' held at the Grand Hyatt Incheon from June 10 to 12.

The World ADC Asia Summit is a gathering where experts in the ADC field, which is gaining attention as a new drug development modality (therapeutic approach), share the latest technologies and introduce the current status of development. At this event, Celltrion unveiled the preclinical results of CT-P73, which is being developed to target solid tumors such as cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, and colorectal cancer, for the first time in the form of a poster presentation.

CT-P73 is an ADC therapeutic agent that targets a specific tissue factor highly expressed in cancer cells and induces the payload (a cytotoxic anticancer drug) connected via an antibody and linker to attack the cancer cells.

Celltrion applied PBX-7016, a novel camptothecin-derived topoisomerase I (TOP1) inhibitor payload co-developed with domestic company Pinobio through open innovation, to CT-P73. TOP1 inhibitors are drugs that damage DNA to kill cancer cells and inhibit their spread. The PBX-7016 payload is also commonly applied to Celltrion's previously disclosed 'CT-P70' and 'CT-P71'.

In preclinical studies, CT-P73 demonstrated meaningful values in terms of the therapeutic index, which comprehensively evaluates efficacy and safety, based on its low toxicity and superior efficacy. In addition, it showed excellent pharmacokinetic properties based on the proven stability of the linker. Furthermore, Celltrion expects that CT-P73 will not only destroy target cancer cells but also surrounding tumor cells, and will exhibit outstanding tumor penetration.

Based on these findings, Celltrion plans to accelerate clinical trial procedures by submitting an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for CT-P73 to domestic and international regulatory agencies as early as this year. The company aims to develop CT-P73 as the best-in-class anticancer drug among therapies with the same mechanism of action.

A Celltrion official stated, "As we have confirmed the excellent competitiveness of CT-P73 in terms of efficacy and safety through preclinical studies, we will accelerate its development as a best-in-class new drug. We will continue to develop innovative therapeutics to provide new treatment benefits to patients and do our utmost to become a leading global pharmaceutical company."