A research team led by Dr. Der-Yang Cho, Superintendent of China Medical University Hospital in Taiwan, has achieved a significant breakthrough in precision oncology with the development of SOB100, the world's first targeted exosome drug delivery platform aimed at HLA-G. The novel therapeutic platform received FDA approval on March 8, 2025, to begin Phase I clinical trials in humans, marking a major milestone in cancer treatment innovation.
Revolutionary HLA-G Targeting Technology
SOB100 represents a first-in-class exosome platform engineered to target HLA-G, a molecule often overexpressed by tumor cells to evade immune surveillance. According to Ms. Hui-Chun Ho, Vice President of Shine-On Biomedical Co., SOB100 is globally the only exosome-based platform designed for this specific targeting approach.
The platform utilizes nanobody (VHH) technology and has demonstrated remarkable capabilities in multiple animal studies, effectively delivering both small molecules and nucleic acid drugs across the blood-brain barrier. This breakthrough offers new hope for treating particularly challenging cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer and glioblastoma.
While HLA-G is typically restricted to placental tissue under normal circumstances, many tumors exploit this mechanism to suppress immune detection. SOB100 addresses this challenge through a gene-engineered exosome membrane embedded with nanobodies that bind specifically to HLA-G, enabling precise delivery of therapeutic agents to tumor cells while minimizing the systemic toxicity commonly associated with conventional chemotherapy.
Preclinical Success and Clinical Translation
The development team has completed comprehensive preclinical studies demonstrating promising efficacy in treating aggressive cancers such as breast cancer and glioblastoma. The research findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, providing scientific validation for the platform's therapeutic potential.
The FDA's approval for Phase I clinical trials represents a critical transition from laboratory research to human testing, positioning SOB100 as a potential game-changer in cancer therapeutics.
Industry Recognition and Commercial Prospects
Shine-On Biomedical has garnered significant industry recognition for its innovative approach to exosome-based therapies. Mr. Hung-Che Chiang, CEO of Shine-On Biomedical Co., highlighted that the company has been named one of the top 10 global developers of exosome-based therapies by the Clarivate global pharmaceutical innovation database.
The platform has earned numerous prestigious awards, including the National Innovation Award (Taiwan), the International Innovation Award (Taiwan), and the Merck Emerging Biotech Special Award (U.S.), demonstrating its potential impact on the global pharmaceutical landscape.
Strategic Partnerships and Global Expansion
SOB100 is positioned to replace viral vectors and liposome carriers in gene and cancer therapies, offering a safer, more specific, and highly scalable alternative for the global market. To accelerate development and commercialization, Shine-On Biomedical has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a Singapore-based exosome manufacturer for co-development and licensing of SOB100-based therapies.
This international partnership includes methods for loading chemotherapy drugs into HLA-G-targeted exosomes and is expected to accelerate SOB100's global clinical adoption and commercial expansion.
Addressing Critical Oncology Challenges
The advent of SOB100 offers a novel solution to one of oncology's most persistent challenges: target specificity and drug resistance. By precisely targeting tumor cells and overcoming immune suppression mechanisms, SOB100 is expected to become a next-generation platform for the delivery of nucleic acid and small molecule drugs.
With FDA clearance secured, growing international recognition, and advancing clinical trials, SOB100 is positioned to play a critical role in the future of precision medicine, offering new therapeutic options for cancer patients worldwide.
