Ellipses Licenses Pioneering Immuno-Oncology Agent as Next-Gen Checkpoint Inhibitor

Ellipses Pharma Limited, a prominent global drug development firm, is advancing its mission to innovate cancer treatment by investing in a cutting-edge immuno-oncology drug. This new venture aims to benefit cancer patients who gain little from existing checkpoint inhibitors. Ellipses has successfully secured the global rights to 'GENA-104', a pioneering monoclonal antibody. This drug targets CNTN4, a newly identified checkpoint protein prevalent across various tumor types.

GENA-104 was initially discovered by Genome & Company, a biotechnology firm based in South Korea. Genome specializes in the discovery and development of novel cancer-targeted antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates. Through an agreement with Genome, Ellipses will oversee all future clinical development efforts for GENA-104, now referred to as EP0089.

In a significant development in October 2024, EP0089 research results were featured in the esteemed journal Science Immunology. The findings highlighted EP0089’s potential as a novel immuno-oncology treatment strategy targeting CNTN4. Following this, South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved a Phase 1 Investigational New Drug (IND) application for EP0089 in January 2024.

Ellipses has announced plans to commence a Phase 1 clinical trial in South Korea in 2025. Upon acquiring necessary regulatory approvals, the company intends to extend the trials to the United States and Europe. This aligns with Ellipses' strategic goals to expedite the development and delivery of promising drug candidates to patients globally.

Professor Sir Chris Evans, OBE, the Executive Chair of Ellipses, expressed enthusiasm about advancing this promising drug candidate through clinical trials. He emphasized that EP0089’s exceptional potential complements the company’s strategy of identifying top-tier drug candidates and accelerating their development and availability to patients.

Professor Tobias Arkenau, who serves as the Global Head of Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer at Ellipses, also shared his excitement about including EP0089, the first biological agent, in their development pipeline. He highlighted the novel approach of targeting CNTN4 to inhibit the CNTN4-APP checkpoint interaction on T cells, thereby enhancing tumor cell destruction. This innovative strategy could hold significant potential for treating a variety of cancers that typically respond inadequately to standard checkpoint inhibitors.

Y.S. Hong, CEO of Genome & Company, remarked on the promising potential of GENA-104 as a novel target in immuno-oncology, which has been validated through preclinical studies. He conveyed optimism regarding Ellipses Pharma's capability to further develop GENA-104, leveraging their substantial financial resources and extensive expertise in oncology drug development.

Ellipses Pharma Limited, headquartered in London, is committed to revolutionizing cancer treatment development through an innovative model that integrates thorough vetting, expert insights from a Scientific Affairs Group, and continuous funding. This approach accelerates the progression of promising products through clinical trials, ensuring timely availability to patients.

Genome & Company, based in South Korea, excels in discovering and developing novel cancer-targeted antibodies, both as standalone therapies and in antibody-drug conjugate applications. The company utilizes its GNOCLE™ drug discovery and development platform, which employs a unique approach grounded in real-world clinical data.