Colorectal Cancer: SOTIO Advances SOT109 ADC and Licenses Antibodies from Biocytogen
SOTIO Biotech, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company owned by the PPF Group, has announced an exciting milestone in the development of its novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidate, SOT109. The company has entered into a licensing agreement with Biocytogen (HKEX: 02315), a global leader in the discovery and development of novel antibody therapeutics. The license will enable SOTIO to utilize Biocytogen’s fully human antibodies in the development of SOT109, an innovative ADC designed to treat colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.
Targeting a Novel Tumor Antigen in Colorectal Cancer
SOTIO’s ADC technology aims to overcome the limitations of current therapies by offering more precise targeting and addressing the challenge of tumor heterogeneity. SOT109 is an emerging program within SOTIO’s ADC portfolio, which is currently in the clinical candidate selection stage. It is designed to target a novel tumor antigen that is highly expressed in more than 90% of colorectal cancers. This tumor antigen shows homogeneous expression, making it an ideal target for precision therapy. Preclinical studies of SOT109 have demonstrated promising results across multiple models of colorectal cancer.
What sets SOT109 apart from other ADC candidates is its use of SOTIO’s proprietary ADC platform technology, specifically the Synaffix platform for site-specific conjugation. Synaffix is a leader in ADC technology and is part of the Lonza Group. Their platform ensures better conjugation of drugs to antibodies, improving the overall efficacy and safety profile of ADC therapies.
A Collaborative Effort for Progress
SOTIO’s collaboration with Biocytogen has played a pivotal role in the development of SOT109. The licensing agreement leverages Biocytogen’s RenMab™ platform, which produces fully human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with exceptional binding affinity and internalization capabilities. These characteristics make the mAbs ideal for ADC development, offering improved therapeutic potential compared to traditional mAb-based therapies. Through this collaboration, SOTIO has successfully identified a highly selective mAb candidate that could bring about significant advancements in treating colorectal and other GI cancers.
Dr. Martin Steegmaier, Chief Scientific Officer of SOTIO, highlighted the potential of SOT109 as a transformative treatment for colorectal cancer and other GI cancers. “Our collaboration with Biocytogen has been instrumental in identifying a fully human and selective mAb candidate that demonstrates excellent cross-species reactivity, binding affinity, and internalization properties,” Steegmaier commented. “We are now in the final stages of clinical candidate selection for the program and are poised to initiate IND-enabling studies in the coming weeks.”
Biocytogen’s RenMab™ platform has proven to be a game-changer in antibody development, and the success of this collaboration illustrates the value of combining their expertise with SOTIO’s experience in ADC development. Yuelei Shen, Ph.D., President and CEO of Biocytogen, emphasized the strong potential of this partnership. “By utilizing Synaffix’s platform and combining it with SOTIO’s extensive ADC experience, SOT109 has been developed as a highly promising candidate for colorectal and GI cancers,” Shen said. “This collaboration showcases the power of our RenMab™ platform and highlights the exciting possibilities for the treatment of these challenging cancers.”
A Promising Future for Colorectal Cancer Treatment
Colorectal cancer is a significant health challenge globally, and treatment options for advanced or resistant cases remain limited. Current therapies are often ineffective against tumor heterogeneity, leading to poor outcomes for many patients. SOT109’s ability to precisely target a novel tumor antigen with homogenous expression offers new hope for patients with colorectal cancer and other GI cancers, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
SOTIO’s commitment to advancing ADC technology and bringing SOT109 to clinical trials is an important step forward in cancer treatment. The company’s pipeline also includes other exciting ADC programs for solid tumors, demonstrating their broader ambition to revolutionize cancer therapies.
About SOTIO Biotech
SOTIO Biotech is focused on the development of innovative treatments for cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. The company’s pipeline includes several promising mono- and bispecific ADC programs in various stages of preclinical development. In addition to SOT109, SOTIO is advancing its CAR-T cell therapy program BOXR1030 and SOT201, a next-generation PD-1-targeting immunocytokine. With a commitment to translating cutting-edge science into patient benefits, SOTIO is poised to make significant contributions to the field of targeted cancer therapies.
About Biocytogen
Biocytogen is a global biotech company specializing in the discovery and development of novel antibody-based drugs. The company utilizes its proprietary RenMab™ platform, which enables the generation of fully human antibodies with exceptional binding and internalization properties. Biocytogen has a robust pipeline of therapeutic antibodies and has established numerous partnerships with multinational pharmaceutical companies. The company also provides preclinical pharmacology services, leveraging its expertise in gene-editing technology and humanized animal models for drug development.
Through its groundbreaking platforms and collaborations, Biocytogen continues to drive innovation in the antibody therapeutics space, offering new hope for patients worldwide.
