LG Chem is moving to develop an innovative anticancer drug targeting an unaddressed target by introducing a new drug candidate.

LG Chem announced on the 1st that it has signed an exclusive global license agreement for development and commercialization of the anticancer drug candidate “FMC-220,” which is about to enter Phase 1 clinical trials, with U.S. biotech Frontier Medicines on the 1st. Under the agreement, LG Chem will hold the rights to develop and commercialize the compound worldwide except for China. It will pay Frontier an upfront payment and subsequently provide development and commercialization milestone payments, as well as separate sales royalties.

FMC-220 has been described as a “p53 Y220C activator” that acts on the “Y220C mutation (the 220th tyrosine mutated to cysteine)” among multiple mutations that occur in the previously unaddressed tumor suppressor protein “p53,” restoring the original function of p53.

p53 Y220C is a mutation identified in about 1–3% of all cancer patients and is one of the important targets in cancer treatment. However, due to structural constraints of the protein, it has long been regarded as an “undruggable target” for which drug development is difficult.

LG Chem cited covalent drug design as a key feature of FMC-220, which is expected to be developed as a best-in-class therapy. Owing to the irreversible nature of its binding to the target, it is expected to bind more stably to the target protein than non-covalent approaches and to maintain efficacy for a longer period. Irreversibility refers to the property whereby, once binding is formed, it does not naturally revert to the previous state under normal biological conditions.

According to preclinical results of FMC-220 led by U.S. biotech Frontier Medicines, superior anticancer efficacy and sustained drug response were observed even at low doses. Anticancer activity was also maintained in tumor models with concomitant KRAS mutations, indicating that FMC-220 could be applied to a broader group of cancer patients.

LG Chem plans to set ovarian cancer, in which the p53 Y220C mutation frequency is relatively high, as the initial indication and proceed with development. The company’s strategy is also to continuously expand the development scope to provide an effective treatment option to a wide range of cancer patients exhibiting this mutation. Phase 1 clinical trials are scheduled to be conducted in Korea and the United States in patients with various solid tumors, including ovarian cancer. LG Chem intends to accelerate global development by leveraging the network and expertise of AVEO, which is in charge of its U.S. oncology business.

Son Ji-woong, President of LG Chem’s Life Sciences Company, said, “FMC-220 targets a genetic mutation for which treatment options are currently limited, so this project to develop an innovative anticancer drug can be seen as an innovative approach,” adding, “We will continue to validate the potential of this therapy to provide real help to a greater number of patients.”

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