Shaperon and Dong-A ST Sign MOU for Nanobody Drug Development

Hudson Therapeutics announced on June 10, 2024, that Shaperon, an innovative biopharmaceutical company based in South Korea, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dong-A ST for the development of nanobody-based new drugs. Shaperon, listed on the KOSDAQ under the ticker 378800 and led by CEO Seung-Yong Seong, specializes in immune therapeutics, while Dong-A ST, traded on the KOSPI under the ticker 170900 and headed by CEO Min-Young Kim, is known for its expertise in antibody commercialization.

A Shaperon representative highlighted that the MOU aims to combine Shaperon's nanobody development platform technology with Dong-A ST's commercialization expertise to expedite development and enhance commercialization potential. The plan includes selecting the most effective nanobodies in mouse models with human tumor transplants by the end of this year.

Since 2021, Shaperon and Dong-A ST have collaborated on developing triple nanobody antibodies for cancer treatment. This innovative approach involves using nanobodies to draw killer T cells and cancer cells closer together by binding to targets on both cell types. Shaperon will lead the development using its comprehensive nanobody platform, while Dong-A ST will apply its commercialization capabilities to bring these biopharmaceutical products to a global market.

Nanobodies, which are about one-tenth the size of conventional antibodies, are gaining traction as next-generation immune checkpoint inhibitors due to their high stability, solubility, and production yield. Shaperon stands out as the only domestic company with a full-cycle platform capable of nanobody production, development, and analysis from alpaca immunization. The company is building a diverse pipeline targeting inflammation and cancer, including immune checkpoint dual antibodies and nanobody-based therapeutics.

Shaperon is also investigating the potential of nanobody-based protein therapeutics, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and radiopharmaceutical therapies. Recently, they have published preclinical results on influenza-targeting nanobodies and presented anti-cancer PDL1-CD47 dual nanobodies at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), earning recognition for their technological advancements.

Janice Marie McCourt from Hudson Therapeutics in the US commented on the significant interest from global biotech companies in collaborating with Shaperon. These companies, encountered at various conferences such as BIO, Bio Europe, Bio Asia, and the Pharm Summit, are signing confidentiality agreements to license Shaperon's preclinical immune-oncology bispecific lead program. They are also interested in collaborating on Shaperon’s nanobody development platform to create bispecific and trispecific nanobody antibodies targeting orphan indications, immunology, inflammation, oncology, and infectious diseases. These assets are recognized for their first-in-class or best-in-class potential with substantial commercial promise. McCourt expressed enthusiasm about the global R&D community's eagerness to collaborate and make a significant impact on patient care.

Shaperon, a clinical-stage biotech company, is pioneering novel inflammasome inhibitors. The company's unique GPCR19-P2X7 modulation mechanism suppresses a broad spectrum of inflammatory cytokines, offering a promising approach for complex immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. Shaperon is advancing multiple clinical programs, including treatments for atopic dermatitis, Alzheimer’s disease, and COVID-19 pneumonia, in addition to preclinical pipelines targeting conditions like NASH and obesity.

Hudson Therapeutics, Shaperon's US subsidiary founded in 2023, leads global clinical trials, investor relations, commercial strategies, and business development for Shaperon’s assets. Hudson also plans to further develop Shaperon's early-stage assets, aiming to advance innovative therapies worldwide.