PRO1107 Phase 1/2 Trial Begins: Targeting PTK7 with Innovative ADC

ProfoundBio, a biotech firm specializing in innovative antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) treatments for cancer, has commenced the first human clinical trial for its new drug, PRO1107. The Phase 1/2 study marks a significant step in the company's mission to enhance patient outcomes through advanced cancer therapies.
Naomi Hunder, ProfoundBio's Chief Medical Officer, expressed optimism about PRO1107's potential to offer superior safety and efficacy over previous PTK7 ADCs. The drug leverages the company's proprietary LD343 platform, which features a novel hydrophilic linker and a high drug-to-antibody ratio of 8. The clinical trial, registered as NCT06171789, is an open-label, multicenter study that will assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor effects of PRO1107 on patients with advanced solid tumors, such as non-small cell lung, breast, and ovarian cancers.
The trial is divided into two parts: Part A will focus on establishing the optimal dosage through a dose-escalation process, while Part B will concentrate on expanding the treatment to specific tumor types. Baiteng Zhao, ProfoundBio's CEO, highlighted the company's dedication to delivering groundbreaking ADCs that address the needs of patients with limited treatment options. The LD343 linker-drug technology was initially presented at the SITC 2023 conference, and the company is eager to see its potential benefits for patients with a variety of PTK7-expressing tumors.
PRO1107 is an ADC that targets the Protein Tyrosine Kinase 7 (PTK7) and is linked to ProfoundBio's proprietary hydrophilic MMAE-based linker-drug, LD343. The MMAE payload is a potent microtubule inhibitor that has been proven effective in clinical trials for ADCs, typically at a drug-to-antibody ratio of approximately 4. The LD343 platform's hydrophilic and cleavable linker is designed to reduce the hydrophobicity of the MMAE, allowing for a high drug-to-antibody ratio and efficient delivery to tumor sites while preserving the ADC's physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties.
ProfoundBio, based in Seattle, is advancing a pipeline of ADC drug candidates aimed at treating both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Their development pipeline includes treatments for folate receptor-alpha, CD70, PTK7, and a bispecific ADC targeting two solid tumor antigens. The company's commitment to innovation and patient care is evident in their pursuit of novel therapies for cancer treatment.