Development of Y-shaped format similar to that of human antibodies using its proprietary platform, ALiCE

Stronger cancer cell binding force for increased effectiveness

 

 

Set to pursue commercialization of the bispecific antibody in full swing

after conducting clinical trials in Korea, U.S., etc.

 

 

Exported the technology to China for KRW 95 B

 

“Whether the bispecific antibody used in anticancer drugs can be mass-produced is absolutely crucial. Anticancer drugs derived using the bispecific antibody platform, ALiCE, designed by Y-Biologics present favorable conditions for mass production around the world, so once they are commercialized, it will revolutionize cancer treatment.”

 
In a recent interview with Maeil Business Newspaper, Young Woo Park, CEO of Y-Biologics, headquartered in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, said, “ALiCE is the core cancer treatment technology platform of our company. It is possible to overcome the weaknesses (e.g., low response rate) of existing immuno-oncology drugs, the limitations (high cost, side effects, and mass production restrictions) of CAR-T therapeutics, and the weaknesses (excessively short half-life, high chance of side effects) of the existing bispecific T cell engagers and even satisfy the unmet medical needs.”

 

 

He continued, “It is designed to have a structure similar to that of human antibodies to be suitable for mass production, so it will be possible to lower the production cost. [...] As a result, when it is commercialized, it will dramatically reduce the medical costs for patients.”

 

 

ALiCE is a proprietary technology of Y-Biologics that has been patented in the United States. Four related patents have been registered in the U.S. and patent applications are being reviewed in seven countries including Korea. The bispecific antibody based on ALiCE has a unique 2 by 1 format, and it has a Y shape similar to that of human antibodies. The two arms bind to cancer antigens, and the leg binds to a T cell, which is an immune cell. Although ALiCE-based bispecific antibody binds to T cells in the bloodstream, it does not sufficiently activate T cells. In contrast, on the surface of cancer cells, the two antibodies in the upper part of the Y shape, which are different regions on the bispecific antibody, bind tightly to sufficiently elevate T cell activity. That is, it maximizes the therapeutic effectiveness only against cancer cells, while minimizing side effects caused by excessive T cell activation.

 

 

“ALiCE-based bispecific antibody successfully increases the binding affinity to cancer antigens by 50 to 100 times more than that of existing antibodies. When administered intravenously, most of the bispecific antibodies bind to cancer cells, without causing unnecessary activation of T cells in the bloodstream, said CEO Park. In other words, due to the structural characteristics, the antibody becomes concentrated around cancer antigens, and the antibody is activated only around a tumor.

 

In addition to these strengths, the innovativeness of the ALiCE platform lies in its excellent safety in the bloodstream. The effectiveness of the bispecific antibodies of Y-Biologics, which are in a Y shape, or in a two by one format, lasts longer than the existing forms that have been commercialized. Because they have a longer half-life in the bloodstream, excretion by the kidneys is minimized. However, it has a shorter half-life in the blood than an IgG-type antibody, so there is a reduced chance of side effects from the drug residing in the bloodstream for too long.

 

 

 

Y-Biologics’ pipelines concerning bispecific antibodies are YBL-013 and YBL-018. YBL-013, in particular, was licensed out to 3D Medicines, a partner company headquarters in China, for KRW 95.2 billion in December last year. In the case of YBL-018, the company is pursuing open innovation by obtaining technologies. CEO Park said, “The rights to use YBL-013, an ALiCE-based bispecific antibody, in China was granted to 3D Medicines last year.”

 

 

Y-Biologics boasts the largest human antibody library in Korea. It contains 100 billion different antibody genes, helping prominent domestic companies develop first-in-class drugs. CEO Park explained, “We were able to continue exporting our technology through joint R&D with leading domestic and foreign companies such as Pierre Fabre, one of the three largest pharmaceutical companies in France.” Regarding the goal, he said, "We will make sure we succeed in commercializing a first-in-class bispecific antibody-based anticancer drug. [...] The current monoclonal antibody YBL-006 will also undergo a Phase 2 clinical trial next year, and we willl endeavor to discover new drug substances for immuno-therapy drugs and enter the clinical trial phase.

 

 

 

Maeil Business Newspaper [Si Gyun Kim]