Kumho HT's Immuno-Oncology Drug Phase 1 Clinical Trial Progresses Smoothly... "Targeting the Global Solid Tumor Treatment Market"

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Kumho HT announced on the 3rd that the Phase 1 clinical trial of its self-developed immuno-oncology drug ‘DNP-002’ is progressing smoothly. DNP-002 received approval for its Phase 1 clinical trial plan from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in August 2020 as a treatment for solid tumors such as colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, and gastric cancer. The clinical trial is currently underway with 36 patients with solid tumors at Seoul Asan Medical Center and the National Cancer Center.

Kumho HT is evaluating the safety, tolerability, and optimal dosage of DNP-002 in the Phase 1 trial. The therapeutic dose that minimizes side effects while expecting anticancer effects has already been established in subjects. Kumho HT will present the interim results of this clinical trial at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) conference to be held this month.

DNP-002 is being developed as a treatment for various solid tumors including colorectal cancer. It targets the protein ‘CEACAM6,’ which is overexpressed in cancer cells and neutrophil-derived immunosuppressive cells (MDSCs), reactivating the patient’s immune system by simultaneously attacking tumors and MDSCs.

Kumho HT entered the bio business through a merger with the new drug development specialist company Dynona in 2021. Along with DNP-002, it is developing various pipelines including ▲solid tumor treatment drug ‘DNP-005,’ ▲COVID-19 treatment drug ‘DNP-019,’ ▲immune modulators such as ‘DNP-007’ for rheumatoid arthritis, and ▲KHT-2031 for treating atopic dermatitis in companion dogs.

A Kumho HT official stated, “The Phase 1 clinical trial of DNP-002 is expected to complete patient dosing by the first half of next year,” adding, “We anticipate completing the clinical trial and receiving the final clinical results by the second half of next year.”

He continued, “We expect steady performance growth in our core automotive electronics business,” and added, “At the same time, next year we will accelerate research and development to achieve tangible results such as joint research and development and technology transfers with global pharmaceutical companies in the new bio business.”

The global colorectal cancer treatment market size is projected to grow from $20.33 billion (approximately 29 trillion KRW) last year at an average annual growth rate of 9.9%, reaching $69.36 billion (approximately 97 trillion KRW) by 2036. The incidence rates of esophageal and gastric cancers are also steadily increasing, with the esophageal cancer treatment market expected to reach $1.8 billion (approximately 3 trillion KRW) by 2028, and the gastric cancer treatment market expected to reach $8.2 billion (approximately 11 trillion KRW) by 2026.

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