SK Biopharmaceuticals Licenses WT-7695 Radiopharmaceutical Targeting CA9 for Solid Tumors
Key Insights
SK Biopharmaceuticals (search) has acquired exclusive worldwide rights to WT-7695 (search), a preclinical radiopharmaceutical candidate targeting carbonic anhydrase IX (search) (CA9 (search)) from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (search).
WT-7695 (search) demonstrated strong binding affinity, tumor selectivity, prolonged tumor retention, and complete tumor growth inhibition in preclinical studies targeting clear cell renal cell carcinoma (search) and other solid tumors.
This represents SK Biopharmaceuticals (search)' second radiopharmaceutical asset following SKL35501 in 2024, as the company builds an integrated value chain including partnerships with TerraPower (search) and PanTera (search) for radioisotope sourcing.
SK Biopharmaceuticals (search) has secured exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize WT-7695 (search), a preclinical-stage radiopharmaceutical therapy candidate targeting carbonic anhydrase IX (search) (CA9 (search)), through a licensing agreement with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (search) (WARF). The small-molecule radiopharmaceutical was developed in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison and represents the company's second in-licensed radiopharmaceutical asset following SKL35501 in 2024.
Targeting CA9 in Solid Tumors
WT-7695 (search) is designed to target carbonic anhydrase IX (search) (CA9 (search)), a transmembrane protein that plays a critical role in cancer cell growth and metastasis under hypoxic conditions. CA9 is highly expressed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (search) (ccRCC) and other solid tumors such as pancreatic and colorectal cancers, while showing limited expression in normal tissues, making it a validated and selective target for radiopharmaceutical therapy development.
In preclinical studies, WT-7695 (search) demonstrated strong binding affinity, tumor selectivity, prolonged tumor retention, and complete tumor growth inhibition, supporting its potential as a best-in-class radiopharmaceutical candidate. The promising preclinical efficacy data suggests significant therapeutic potential for patients with these challenging solid tumor types.
Building Radiopharmaceutical Capabilities
This agreement strengthens SK Biopharmaceuticals (search)' growing radiopharmaceutical therapy portfolio and reinforces its R&D capabilities through global partnerships and value chain integration. Since acquiring its first radiopharmaceutical asset in 2024, the company has continued to build its foundation in the field through strategic supply agreements with TerraPower (search), a U.S. nuclear innovation company, and PanTera (search), a Belgian radioisotope producer, securing Actinium-225 (search) (225Ac) supply.
The company has also established multiple research collaboration agreements to broaden its expertise and capabilities across the full radiopharmaceutical value chain, encompassing drug discovery, radioisotope sourcing, preclinical and clinical development.
Leadership Perspectives
"This agreement underscores the promise of CA9 (search) as a target in advancing cancer treatment for patients around the world," said Erik Iverson, CEO of WARF. "We're deeply proud of the collaboration between our WARF Therapeutics team and the University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers, whose work paved the way for this partnership with SK Biopharmaceuticals (search). Together, we're committed to accelerating the development of this promising therapy and bringing it closer to the patients who need it."
Donghoon Lee, CEO of SK Biopharmaceuticals (search), emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition: "By securing this promising candidate with demonstrated preclinical efficacy, SK Biopharmaceuticals will further diversify its radiopharmaceutical therapy portfolio and reinforce its R&D capabilities through global collaboration. We will continue to expand our pipeline based on validated targets, strengthen our expertise across the integrated radiopharmaceutical value chain, and accelerate the development of next-generation cancer treatments to deliver meaningful solutions for patients with high unmet medical needs worldwide."
Development Plans
With exclusive worldwide rights granted under the agreement, SK Biopharmaceuticals (search) plans to conduct global clinical trials for WT-7695 (search), including in the United States. The company continues to pursue a balanced growth strategy, strengthening internal capabilities while expanding strategic partnerships to advance R&D in radiopharmaceutical therapy.
SK Biopharmaceuticals (search), part of South Korea's second-largest conglomerate SK Group, specializes in research, development, and commercialization of treatments for central nervous system (CNS) disorders and oncology, with eight compounds currently in development across both therapeutic areas.