CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Samyang Biopharm USA, Inc. (https://us.samyangbiopharm.com), a global biotech subsidiary of Samyang Holdings Pharmaceuticals Corp. (https://samyangbiopharm.com/eng), today announced the company’s entry into a three-year research collaboration with Dr. Hyun-Sung Lee, Assistant Professor of Surgery and Director of the Systems Onco-Immunology Laboratory (SOIL) at Baylor College of Medicine. Samyang has Dr. Lee has been awarded a sponsored research grant that will leverage his laboratory’s capabilities to investigate the potential role of SYB-010, Samyang’s premier immuno-oncology asset, in raising awareness of the tumor immune microenvironment to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
“Dr. Lee’s proven approach to drug discovery in immuno-oncology makes Samyang the ideal research partner for this program, ”said Barbara Natke, Ph.D., MBA, Head of Translational Sciences and Acting Vice President of Business Development, Samyang Biopharma USA. “Samyang is constantly looking for novel drug discovery platforms that have the potential to transform drug development to meet patient unmet needs. This strategic collaboration is an important step towards achieving this goal. ”
The main aim of this study is to determine the predictive role of soluble MHC class 1 chain protein (sMIC) in the identification of non-responders to immune checkpoint therapy and the role of SYB-010, an anti-MIC -Therapy to determine how to overcome such resistances.
“Improving treatment outcomes for cancer patients is only possible with a clear understanding of the potential of investigational drugs like SYB-010,” said Dr. Hyun-Sung Lee. “This partnership and financial support will leverage our established expertise in research into the cancer immune system.” Networks through state-of-the-art single cell platforms to answer questions about resistance to checkpoint immunotherapy, which is a significant hurdle in realizing the full potential of such therapies . ”
“Dr. Lee’s expertise and deep understanding of cancer research, particularly in the areas of systems biology and immunology, provide valuable insights into the potential of SYB-010, which has shown a significant immunomodulatory effect while reducing tumor growth in preclinical models,” said Helen Hyun Jung Lee, President & CEO, Samyang Biopharm USA, Inc. “Samyang is pleased to have the opportunity to work with a scientist of Dr. Lee’s stature, and we look forward to this collaboration as it provides a basis for the further development of our active ingredient in clinical trials will form in 2022 and the possibility of treating patients. ”
About SYB-010
SYB-010 (formerly CuraB-10) is a first-in-class therapeutic that Samyang Biopharm USA acquired from CanCure, LLC in 2019. In cancer model systems, SYB-010 activates both T lymphocytes and NK (natural killer) cell arms of the anti-tumor immune response. In animal models unresponsive to inhibitors of PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4, SYB-010 has the potential to act synergistically in combination with these therapies to expand the potential for an immune attack on cancer alone. The compound is currently in studies to enable Investigational New Drug (IND).
About Samyang Biopharm USA, Inc.
Samyang Biopharm USA, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the global development of world-class biological therapeutics for oncology and rare disease indications, was founded in August 2018 as a subsidiary of Samyang Biopharmaceuticals Corporation (South Korea) and became a subsidiary of Samyang Holdings in 2021 Corp. Through collaborations, partnerships and in-licensing, Samyang Biopharm USA seeks to identify promising preclinical and early clinical candidates and advance them through clinical development with the aim of improving the lives of patients worldwide. The company’s current pipeline includes the anti-MIC immuno-oncology asset SYB-010, which is currently in IND enablement studies.