PPMX-T002

PPMX-T002 targets cadherin 3 (CDH3) that is expressed on the surface of cancer cells. A transcriptome analysis performed by LSBM at the University of Tokyo has revealed that CDH3 is highly expressed in various cancers but is poorly expressed in major healthy organs.
After obtaining this anti-CDH3 antibody by the hybridoma method, we designed it as a chimeric antibody and licensed it out as a compound labelled with radioisotope to FUJIFILM. The group has been conducting clinical trials in the USA against solid tumors as anti-cancer RI-labelled antibody that attacks cancer cells effectively while maintaining side effects at a low level. Due to the transfer of its radiopharmaceutical business, FUJIFILM group will terminate its development after finishing the clinical trials. We will develop this antibody as a new RI-labelled antibody drug through the change of the RI to the one with higher effectiveness.

PPMX-T003

PPMX-T003 targets a transferrin receptor (TfR) that is expressed on the cell membrane and regulates cellular iron uptake. The cellular iron uptake is essential for cell survival and proliferation. As TfR is highly expressed in many cancer cells that proliferate at high speed, it is widely known that the inhibition of iron uptake depletes its levels within cells, leading to cell death. Trials to find a way to inhibiting iron uptake have been made by various researchers for a long time in vain. Through the phage display method, we have developed a fully human antibody, PPMX-T003, which kills cancer cells effectively with its extremely potent inhibitory function against iron uptake. Since late 2019, we have been proceeding with the phase I clinical trial in Japan on PV, one of hematologic cancers. We have also been proceeding with joint research on world-first medical drug for ANKL with Tokai University.

PPMX-T004

PPMX-T004 is an ADC (antibody drug conjugate) targeting CDH3, the same target as that of PPMX-T002. It had been licensed out to FUJIFILM, however, the license of development was returned to us after the transfer of radiopharmaceutical business of the group in March 2022. We will promote the development of this antibody as a new ADC through the change of drug to be labelled. The targets of PPMX-T004 and PPMX-T002 are the same, however, the ADC has more flexibility on administration facility due to non-use of RI.