Cancer Research UK, one of the world’s largest funders of cancer research, and KisoJi Biotechnology, a company focussed on the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics, have signed a landmark agreement to bring KisoJi’s lead asset, KJ-103, into a first-in-human clinical trial. KJ-103 is a naked anti-TROP2 antibody that has been created by KisoJi using its proprietary antibody technology.
Under the agreement, Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Drug Development (CDD) will sponsor, design and deliver a Phase 1/2a clinical trial of KJ-103, in selected TROP2 expressing solid tumours. KisoJi will supply the antibody for the clinical trial and work with CDD to complete the preclinical package. Cancer Research Horizons, Cancer Research UK’s innovation arm, will manage the commercial relationship.
Unlike antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), KJ-103 does not require a cytotoxic payload but instead functions by recruiting immune cells to kill tumour cells. KJ-103 binds to TROP2 in a location distinct from where current TROP2 ADCs bind. It uses TROP2 as a way of directing macrophage activation and phagocytosis of the tumour cells expressing it, leading to tumour cell death.
KJ-103 may provide an alternative treatment option for TROP2-expressing cancers in which TROP2 ADCs have proven ineffective or are not suitable due to their toxicity profile. Tumour types expressing TROP2 include: colorectal, head and neck, ovarian, breast, bladder and lung cancers.
Lars Erwig, Director of the CDD, said: “We are excited to collaborate with KisoJi to bring KJ-103 into clinical development. This partnership aligns with our mission to explore innovative therapeutic approaches for hard-to-treat cancers. With KJ-103’s unique mechanism of action, which harnesses the body’s immune system without the potential toxicity of a drug conjugate, we hope to offer new treatment options for patients with TROP2-expressing solid tumours.”
David Young, co-founder and CEO of KisoJi, said: “We are thrilled to be advancing KJ-103 into the clinic in partnership with Cancer Research UK. As the first naked antibody to target TROP2 cancers, KJ-103 is the first of a new wave of antibodies to come from our modernised technology platform that leverages AI grounded in biology to create transformative antibody therapeutics.”
