SK Plasma and AimedBio Sign Joint Development and Licensing Agreement for ADC Anticancer Drugs

"Enhancing the Prospects for Follow-up Clinical Trials and Global Commercialization of New Drugs"

On June 9, SK Plasma announced that it had signed a joint development and licensing agreement for ADC-based anticancer new drugs with AimedBio, a company specializing in antibody-drug conjugates (ADC).

(From the right) Seungjoo Kim, CEO of SK Plasma, and Namgu Heo, CEO of AimedBio, are taking a commemorative photo after signing a joint development and licensing agreement for ADC anticancer new drugs. SK Plasma

According to SK Plasma, the two companies will jointly develop ADC anticancer therapeutic candidates targeting ROR1, which is expressed in various types of cancer. In this partnership, AimedBio will be responsible for the research phase, including basic research and candidate discovery, while SK Plasma will lead development activities in the clinical and commercialization stages. ROR1 is an antigen that is overexpressed in a variety of solid and hematological cancers.

ADC is a next-generation targeted anticancer therapy that combines a potent cytotoxic drug with an antibody to precisely attack cancer cells. Unlike conventional chemotherapy, which damages even normal cells, ADC selectively binds to specific antigens on the surface of cancer cells and delivers the drug inside the cell to destroy the tumor. It is considered an innovative therapy that can minimize side effects on normal cells while achieving high anticancer efficacy.

According to the global market research firm GlobalData, the global ADC market is expected to grow from approximately USD 14 billion (about KRW 18.9 trillion) in 2023 to USD 112 billion (about KRW 151.2 trillion) by 2030.

Seungjoo Kim, CEO of SK Plasma, stated, "Joint development with partners like AimedBio, which have proven research expertise and technological potential, is of great strategic significance for expanding our portfolio of biopharmaceuticals, including ADCs. We will continue to actively expand collaborations with companies that possess innovative technologies to improve treatment accessibility in the field of rare and intractable diseases."

Namgu Heo, CEO of AimedBio, said, "As a company specializing in research and development, AimedBio recognizes that collaboration with partners who have clinical and regulatory capabilities is essential for the commercialization of new drug candidates. SK Plasma is a company with a high level of understanding of biopharmaceuticals and has accumulated experience and know-how through domestic and international clinical development and business development. This collaboration is expected to enhance the prospects for subsequent clinical trials and global commercialization of ADC new drugs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.