Cancer Research UK and KisoJi Biotechnology Inc. have entered into an agreement to advance KisoJi's lead asset, KJ-103, into first-in-human clinical trials. KJ-103 is a naked anti-TROP2 antibody developed using KisoJi's proprietary antibody technology.
Trial Details and Design
Cancer Research UK's Centre for Drug Development (CDD) will sponsor and design a Phase 1/2a clinical trial of KJ-103 in selected TROP2-expressing solid tumors. KisoJi will supply the antibody for the trial and collaborate with CDD to complete the preclinical package. Cancer Research Horizons, Cancer Research UK's innovation arm, will manage the commercial relationship.
Mechanism of Action
KJ-103 differentiates itself from antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) by not requiring a cytotoxic payload. Instead, it functions by recruiting immune cells to kill tumor cells. KJ-103 binds to TROP2 at a distinct location from where current TROP2 ADCs bind, using TROP2 to direct macrophage activation and phagocytosis of tumor cells, leading to tumor cell death.
Potential Clinical Impact
KJ-103 may offer an alternative treatment option for TROP2-expressing cancers where TROP2 ADCs have proven ineffective or are unsuitable due to their toxicity profile. Tumors expressing TROP2 include colorectal, head and neck, ovarian, breast, bladder, and lung cancers.
Expert Commentary
Lars Erwig, Director of the CDD, stated, 'We are excited to collaborate with KisoJi to bring KJ-103 into clinical development... With KJ-103's unique mechanism of action, which harnesses the body's immune system without the potential toxicity of a drug conjugate, we hope to offer new treatment options for patients with TROP2-expressing solid tumours.'
David Young, co-founder and CEO of KisoJi, added, 'We are thrilled to be advancing KJ-103 into the clinic in partnership with Cancer Research UK... KJ-103 is the first of a new wave of antibodies to come from our modernised technology platform that leverages AI grounded in biology to create transformative antibody therapeutics.'
About KJ-103
KJ-103 is a single domain antibody that binds to a unique epitope on TROP2. It acts via effector cell mechanisms, including the activation of macrophages, to kill tumor cells. Preclinical studies have shown significant anti-tumor potency with no evidence of toxicity or resistance across several solid tumor models. KJ-103 was humanized by LifeArc.
