LG Chem Accelerates Development of New Kidney Cancer Therapy... Combination with FOTIVDA Anticipated

Introducing a Clinical-Stage Innovative Drug Candidate from HiberCell in the U.S.

LG Chem is introducing a promising new drug candidate in the United States that is expected to create a synergistic effect with its kidney cancer treatment, FOTIVDA (active ingredient: Tivozanib), offering a novel therapeutic approach previously unavailable.

On November 5, LG Chem announced that AVEO, its U.S. oncology subsidiary, has signed an agreement with the local biotech company HiberCell for the global exclusive development and option rights to the clinical phase 1 drug candidate 'HC-5404'.

Under this agreement, LG Chem will directly conduct the upcoming phase 1b clinical trial and will decide whether to sign an option contract for exclusive global rights to the substance at the phase 2 stage. LG Chem will pay HiberCell an undisclosed upfront payment and, if the option is exercised in the future, will provide milestone payments for development and commercialization, as well as sales royalties in stages.

HiberCell is a company developing multiple anticancer drugs with new mechanisms of action aimed at preventing cancer recurrence and metastasis. Its main candidate, HC-5404, is the world's first PERK (protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase) inhibitor to enter the clinical stage. This new drug is designed to enhance and prolong the original function of angiogenesis inhibitors, which block the pathways that supply nutrients and oxygen to cancer cells. Given that angiogenesis inhibitors are used as standard treatments for various types of cancer, there is potential for expansion to a wide range of cancer indications.

In preclinical studies, the combination of the angiogenesis inhibitor and HC-5404 demonstrated superior antitumor efficacy compared to monotherapy with the angiogenesis inhibitor alone in animal models of solid tumors such as kidney cancer and gastric cancer. LG Chem plans to demonstrate the potential of the combination therapy of FOTIVDA, an angiogenesis inhibitor, and HC-5404, thereby providing expanded treatment opportunities for kidney cancer patients.

The current U.S. kidney cancer treatment market is estimated to be worth 10 trillion won (approximately 7.6 billion dollars).

Son Jiwoong, Head of LG Chem’s Life Sciences Division, stated, "We will continue to provide more effective treatments to extend the survival and improve the quality of life for cancer patients worldwide," adding, "We will focus our capabilities on developing next-generation anticancer drugs that will drive the growth of LG Chem’s bio business."

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