Latest news with #LaureanoSimón
Business Wire
14 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
SunRock Biopharma and Escugen Forge Alliance to Develop First-in-Class CCR9-Targeted ADC
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, Spain & SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SunRock Biopharma and Escugen have joined forces in a strategic partnership to co-develop SRB123, a First-in-Class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting C-C motif chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9), a tumor-associated antigen overexpressed in multiple solid tumors, including pancreatic, ovarian and lung cancer. SunRock Biopharma and Escugen have entered a strategic partnership to co-develop SRB123, a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate targeting CCR9, a tumor-associated antigen overexpressed in pancreatic, ovarian and lung cancers Share The collaboration combines SunRock's proprietary SRB1 antibody, selected for its high binding affinity and efficient tumor cell internalization, with Escugen's EZWi-Fit™ linker-payload platform, a next-generation ADC technology optimized for the linker stability and selective tumor release of the potent payload. The result is a highly differentiated therapeutic candidate designed exclusively for solid tumors with high CCR9 expression and internalization rates. Under the agreement, both companies will share development responsibilities, file joint patents, and hold reciprocal licensing option rights. The primary goal is to generate robust preclinical proof-of-concept data to support early clinical entry in the near term. 'Combining our deep antibody engineering expertise with Escugen's innovative conjugation platform enables us to deliver a precision oncology candidate with First-in-Class potential,' said Dr. Laureano Simón, CEO of SunRock. 'CCR9 remains an underexploited but clinically validated target. This program addresses real unmet needs in aggressive tumors with poor prognosis.' Dr. Qing Zhou, Co-Founder and CEO of Escugen, stated, 'This strategic collaboration with SunRock Biopharma aligns with our vision of developing First-in-Class precision oncology candidates through technological innovation. It further highlights the unique advantages of our EZWi-Fit™ platform technology in next-generation ADC development. The platform's strong anti-tumor activity and favorable tolerability provide a solid foundation for targeting high CCR9-expressing solid tumors. We are confident that combining our expertise will accelerate SRB123's progress and bring new hope to patients.' CCR9 has been associated with metastatic potential and chemoresistance, particularly in pancreatic and ovarian cancers. SRB1, the unconjugated antibody from SunRock, has already demonstrated strong preclinical efficacy in these models. The ADC format (SRB123) leverages this targeting while enhancing tumor cell killing via Escugen's payload delivery system. The partnership will be showcased during the BIO International Convention 2025, where both companies will engage with potential development and commercialization partners. About SunRock Biopharma SunRock Biopharma is a biotech company focused on developing next-generation antibody-based therapies targeting unmet medical needs in oncology and immunology. Operating under an open innovation model, SunRock combines cutting-edge academic science, advanced technology platforms, and a selective business approach to generate highly differentiated, licensable assets. Its portfolio includes optimized monoclonal antibodies, next-generation ADCs, and radioconjugates, with validated targets such as CCR9 and HER3. SunRock follows an early-stage out-licensing strategy, designed to maximize risk-adjusted returns, and maintains active collaborations with leading pharma and biotech partners worldwide. About Escugen Escugen is a clinical-stage biotechnology company located in Shanghai, China, focusing on the development of innovative ADC drugs. Currently, Escugen's lead Trop-2 ADC pipeline, ESG401, has entered Phase III clinical trials. Escugen's next-generation linker-payload technology platform, EZWi-Fit®, offers significant competitive advantages in terms of safety, efficacy, anti-multiple drug resistance, and pharmacokinetic characteristics. Leveraging this platform technology, Escugen is rapidly expanding its ADC pipeline targeting new or validated target. The first ADC product baring the EZWi-Fit® technology has successfully launched its FIH clinical campaign. In addition, Escugen has licensed this platform technology to several domestic and international biotechnology companies to empower their innovative ADC projects.
Cision Canada
06-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
TFS HealthScience Expands Collaboration with Oncomatryx for Phase Ib Trial of OMTX705 for Pancreatic Cancer
, May 6, 2025 /CNW/ -- TFS HealthScience (TFS), a leading global Contract Research Organization (CRO), is deepening its collaboration with Oncomatryx, a biopharmaceutical company developing novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting the tumor microenvironment. TFS will support a newly initiated Phase Ib clinical trial evaluating OMTX705—an anti-fibroblast activation protein antibody-drug conjugate (FAP-ADC)— in patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The trial will be conducted across sites in Spain and the United States. According to the World Cancer Research Foundation, pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest malignancies globally, accounting for more than 510,000 new cases and over 466,000 deaths annually. Despite advances in oncology, treatment options for patients with advanced or metastatic disease remain limited. The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer continues to hover below 10%, underscoring the urgent need for new and more effective treatment options. This Phase Ib study builds on an earlier collaboration between TFS and Oncomatryx during a Phase I trial evaluating OMTX705 as a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors. The promising results from that study laid the foundation for this next phase of development and exemplified the consistent performance, deep therapeutic expertise, and oncology specialization that Oncomatryx values in its continued partnership with TFS. "Our continued collaboration with Oncomatryx reflects a shared commitment to accelerating the development of innovative therapies for challenging cancers like pancreatic adenocarcinoma," said Kris O'Brien, Vice President and Head of Oncology & Rare Diseases at TFS. "TFS brings deep therapeutic insight and operational agility to every program we support—helping to move promising science forward where it's needed most." "We're entering an exciting new phase in the clinical development of OMTX705," said Laureano Simón, CEO of Oncomatryx. TFS has proven to be a trusted, expert partner—key to advancing our science toward patients who urgently need new options." TFS brings over two decades of experience in oncology research, supporting clinical trials across solid tumors, hematological malignancies, and rare cancers. With a focus on agility, scientific rigor, and global reach, TFS has successfully guided numerous early-phase and late-phase oncology programs from concept to clinic. Through its long-standing partnerships, including this renewed collaboration with Oncomatryx, TFS continues to empower its partners with tailored clinical solutions—advancing science with the ultimate goal of enriching the lives of patients worldwide. Backed by strong financial support following a €25 million fundraising round completed at the end of 2024, and with Phase I clinical data expected at major oncology conferences throughout 2025, the OMTX705 program is gaining momentum and drawing increased attention as a promising new approach for hard-to-treat tumors like pancreatic adenocarcinoma. About TFS HealthScience TFS HealthScience is a full-service, global Contract Research Organization (CRO) that partners with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to advance innovative treatments and improve patient outcomes. With operations across 40 countries, TFS and its strategic partners provide tailored strategic resourcing solutions and clinical development services in specialized therapeutic areas, including dermatology, internal medicine, neuroscience, oncology, and ophthalmology. Dedicated to empowering partners and enriching lives, TFS offers flexible solutions that combine global reach with the agility and responsiveness of a mid-sized CRO. For more information, visit About Oncomatryx Oncomatryx has developed a proprietary Antibody-Drug Conjugates platform that targets Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in the microenvironment of metastatic solid tumors. Oncomatryx pioneering ADCs against immunosuppressive CADs are developed in collaboration with prestigious universities, hospitals, and research centers in the USA and Europe. Phase I clinical results of OMTX705, a novel ADC targeting Fibroblast activation Protein (FAP) in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts, will be presented at major oncology conferences along 2025. For more information, visit
