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PharmAbcine is a clinical-stage biotech company focusing on development of next generation therapeutics to treat cancer, ophthalmologic diseases, and other medically unmet diseases. The company's mission is to develop a first-in class and best-in-class therapeutics for cancer and vascular-related diseases that improve patients’ lives.

History
In 2008, PharmAbcine was founded in Daejeon, South Korea as a spin-off of Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB). Two of the founding members, Dr. Jin-San Yoo, CEO, and Dr. Weon sup Lee, head of R&D center, are still with the company as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Head of Research & Development (R&D), respectively. The Company went public in 2018 and the shares are traded on KOSDAQ.

Some of the key events are listed as follows:

In 2009, the company received $6 million USD in a Series A financing from OrbiMed's Caduceus Asia Partners and Novartis Korea Venture Fund.

In 2011, Olinvacimab (TTAC-0001, formerly known as tanibirumab) phase ⅠIND approved

In 2016, Olinvacimab (TTAC-0001, formerly known as tanibirumab) phase Ⅱa clinical trial

In 2018, Clinical Research Collaboration for Combo Trials with MSD(Merck & Co.)

In 2018, the company went public on the KOSDAQ.

Research and development
PharmAbcine is advancing its lead antibody candidate olinvacimab through the clinic, alone and in combination, whilst developing a portfolio of clinical candidates that target key molecules implicated in oncology, angiogenesis and immune surveillance. Besides olinvacimab, developing other preclinical candidates, such as Anti-VISTA(V-type immunoglobulin domain-containing suppressor of T cell activation), TIE2(acts as an active vessel stabilizer)-activating monoclonal antibody.

Olinvacimab (TTAC-0001)
Olinvacimab(formerly Tanibirumab) is an anti-angiogenic antibody that neutralizes the pathway between VEGF and VEGFR2, suppresses the formation of tumor angiogenesis, and inhibits tumor growth and metastasis. ,

Preclinical research revealed potential anti-tumor activity of TTAC-0001 in colorectal, non-small-cell lung, triple-negative breast cancer and glioblastoma tumor models. and further studies demonstrated that it could positively synergize with other chemotherapy agents (CPT-11 or 5-FU) to inhibit tumor growth.

It has multiple ongoing global clinical trials. TTAC-0001 has no drug limiting toxicity (DLT) up to 24 mg/kg, based on the fact that it was tolerable up to 24 mg/kg per week in a phase-I clinical study. , Common adverse events such as internal bleeding, hypertensive crises, and gastrointestinal perforation were not observed, which normally occur with anti-angiogenic drugs including Avastin. TTAC-0001 has displayed a shorter half-life in vivo (1.5–3.0 days) and less severe toxicity compared to Bevacizumab(Avastin).

There are two Phase Ib studies taking place in combination with MSD’s pembrolizumab for the treatment of mTNBC (metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer) and rGBM (recurrent Glioblastoma) in Australia. Also, a Phase II mono study in bevacizumab non-responding rGBM was approved by FDA in October 2018 and is ongoing in both Australia and the U.S. In September 2021, PharmAbcine received a clearance to initiate a Phase II olinvacimab-pembrolizumab combo trial for mTNBC patients in Australia.

PMC-403
PMC-403 is a novel TIE2-activating fully human antibody designed to stabilize and repair damaged blood vessels in a variety of diseases. PMC-403 is currently in development for treating AMD(Age-related Macular Degeneration), DME(Diabetic Macular Edema), and DR(Diabetic Retinopathy) which are common abnormal vascular-related eye diseases.

In August 2020, the company signed MCRADA (Materials Cooperative Research and Development Agreement) with the NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases), a part of the NIH (National Institutes of Health), to assess the efficacy of PMC-403 in SCLS(Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome, Clarkson Disease)

In September 2020, PharmAbcine entered into a strategic partnership with Samsung Biologics for the development and manufacturing of PMC-403 pipeline. Samsung will provide the full scope of its CDMO services from cell line development, process development, cGMP clinical manufacturing to IND filing support.

PMC-309
PMC-309, one of the company's first immunooncology drug candidates, is a monoclonal antibody that targets human VISTA (V-domain Ig Suppressor of T cell Activation) found overexpressed on immunosuppressive MDSC (Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells). VISTA blockade could enhance antitumor immunity in TME(tumor microenvironment). PMC-309 binding to VISTA expressing cells is highly selective and the selectivity is maintained even in the low pH conditions that mimic TME.

In in vivo study, PMC-309 suppressed tumor growth, which was further attenuated with an anti-PD1 antibody. PMC-309 as a next generation immuno-oncology(IO) agent, which can convert immunologically cold into hot tumors as a mono- or combo- therapy with other IO agent.

In June 2020, PharmAbcine entered into a strategic partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific for the development and manufacturing of PMC-309.

PMC-402
PMC-402 is active vessels stabilizer targeting Tie2, having an effect of vessel stabilization in a ligand independent way. It inhibited VEGF-induced vascular leakage through decrease of p-VEGFR and VE-cadherin. This active vessel stabilizer could help deliver drug and lymphocyte into the TME. The therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors can be increased when it combined with this active vessel stabilizer. Thus, this active vessel stabilizer can change cold tumor into hot tumor.

In April 2020, PharmAbcine entered into a partnership with Samsung Biologics the development and manufacturing of PMC-402.

US Subsidiary
PharmAbcine set up Wincal Biopharm, a U.S subsidiary in South San Franciso, California, and entered into a license agreement in June 2020. Through this agreement, Wincal Biopharm will use PharmAbcine’s assets to develop novel therapeutic drugs for non-oncology indications in nephrology, ophthalmology, and pulmonology, etc.