Celltrion has taken a significant step forward in its oncology pipeline by submitting an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for CT-P70, its novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting multiple solid tumors.
The innovative therapy targets the cellular growth factor receptor (cMET), which plays a crucial role in tumor growth. CT-P70 is being developed to treat various solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer.
Promising Preclinical Results
Extensive preclinical studies have yielded encouraging results for CT-P70. The drug demonstrated potent tumor-suppressing effects across multiple solid tumor models in both in vitro and animal testing. Notably, CT-P70 showed superior efficacy even in tumors with low cMET expression compared to other cMET-targeting ADCs, suggesting potential benefits for a broader patient population.
The drug's high therapeutic index indicates a favorable balance between efficacy and safety, a crucial factor in cancer therapeutics.
Advanced Payload Technology
CT-P70 incorporates PBX-7016, a next-generation payload developed through an open innovation partnership with Pinotbio. This novel payload technology is designed to overcome common limitations of existing ADCs, offering:
- Lower toxicity profiles
- Higher dosage tolerance
- Enhanced tumor penetration
Strategic Development Timeline
The company plans to initiate global Phase 1 clinical trials by mid-2025, with first patient dosing scheduled within the same year. This IND submission marks the first concrete step in Celltrion's ambitious global drug development strategy, unveiled at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference 2025.
"Following our announcement at the J.P Morgan Healthcare Conference 2025 to transition into a global new drug development company, we swiftly submitted our first IND for a novel ADC therapy," stated a Celltrion official. "This marks a significant milestone in expanding our innovative drug portfolio."
Broader Development Pipeline
The IND filing for CT-P70 is part of Celltrion's larger strategic initiative to develop 13 new drug candidates by 2028. The company's roadmap includes:
- 2026: Two ADC therapies and two multi-antibody drugs
- 2027: Three ADC therapies
- 2028: One ADC therapy and one multi-antibody drug
For 2025, Celltrion plans to submit four IND applications, including three ADC therapies and one multi-antibody treatment, demonstrating its commitment to expanding its innovative drug portfolio.
