Genome & Company has signed a licensing agreement with UK-based Ellipses Pharma for its immuno-oncology drug GENA-104, the companies announced on February 11 (local time). Financial details of the deal, including upfront payments, were not disclosed.

GENA-104, an antibody targeting the CNTN4 protein, was developed by Genome & Company. CNTN4 is a novel immune checkpoint protein highly expressed in various tumors, offering a potential treatment option for patients who do not respond to existing immune checkpoint inhibitors, according to the companies.

Under the agreement, Ellipses Pharma will lead the global clinical development of GENA-104, which will be renamed EP0089 for its development pipeline.

Chris Evans, Executive Chairman of Ellipses Pharma, stated, “We are excited to advance this innovative cancer drug candidate into clinical trials. EP0089 aligns with our strategy to rapidly develop the most promising drug candidates and deliver them to patients as quickly as possible.”

Yuseok Hong, CEO of Genome & Company, added, “The strong immuno-oncology potential of GENA-104 was demonstrated in preclinical studies, and it has received IND approval for Phase 1 trials in South Korea. With Ellipses’ financial strength and oncology development expertise, we expect GENA-104 to establish itself as an innovative treatment option in the global market.”

GENA-104 received Phase 1 IND approval from the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in January 2023. Ellipses Pharma plans to initiate Phase 1 trials in South Korea this year, with subsequent expansion into the U.S. and Europe.