[Edaily Reporter Kim Saemi] #Medfacto announced on the 16th that it has commenced preclinical joint research to develop its anticancer drug candidate ‘MP010’ and an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) combination therapy.

Medfacto recently signed a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) with China’s Innolake Biopharm and agreed to conduct joint research. In this study, the companies plan to co-administer MP010 and an ADC candidate currently under development by Innolake to tumor animal models to verify efficacy.

Medfacto plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for MP010 as a monotherapy within this year. To this end, the company is currently compiling toxicity test data and preparing for manufacturing and quality control (CMC). Along with preparing for the monotherapy clinical trial, the company plans to explore the possibility of combination therapy with other anticancer agents, such as ADCs.

MP010 is a novel anticancer drug candidate designed to selectively bind to “EDB-FN,” which is overexpressed in the tumor microenvironment (TME). It simultaneously targets “TGF-β,” a TME regulatory factor involved in cancer immune evasion and metastasis. Medfacto is developing MP010 as a first-in-class candidate.

The ADC candidate from InnoLake used in this combination study is reportedly a compound that applies a new target aimed at patient groups resistant to existing ADC therapies.

A Medfacto representative stated, “MP010 has the potential to positively influence the penetration of ADCs into tumor tissue and their immunostimulatory activity by modulating the tumor microenvironment,” adding, “We plan to confirm the potential for synergy through this preclinical study when administered in combination.”

The representative added, “In the second half of this year, while preparing for MP010’s Phase 1 clinical trial, we will also conduct an early review of its potential for combination with next-generation ADC candidates,” noting, “Our goal is to confirm its development potential in both monotherapy and combination therapy.”