#China #Shanghai #Antengene #ATG-022 #Claudin 18.2

Antengene's Promising Breakthrough: ATG-022 ADC to Be Presented at ESMO 2025

Introduction

Antengene Corporation Limited, a prominent biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative cancer therapies, is making waves in the oncology field with its latest clinical findings. During the upcoming ESMO 2025 conference, Antengene will present groundbreaking data on its novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), ATG-022, specifically targeting Claudin 18.2. This presentation will occur from October 17 to October 21, 2025, at the Messe Berlin in Berlin, Germany.

Presentation Details

The presentation will feature insights from the Phase I/II trial of ATG-022, aiming to shed light on its efficacy in treating advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers. The abstract, numbered 2907, is scheduled for presentation on October 19, 2025, under the session name 2113P.

Understanding ATG-022

ATG-022 is an ADC designed specifically for targeting CLDN18.2, a protein often overexpressed in various malignancies, including gastric, esophageal, and pancreatic cancers. Under normal conditions, Claudins function as cell adhesion molecules within tight junctions, contributing to cell barrier regulation. However, in tumorigenesis, their expression becomes aberrant, leading to their presence on the cell surface in forms no longer entirely resembling their physiological roles. This duality of behavior presents a unique opportunity for therapeutic interventions.

Notably, the FDA has already conferred Orphan Drug Designations upon ATG-022 for its potential in treating gastric and pancreatic cancers, underscoring its significance in oncology.

Clinical Findings

The CLINCH study, which assesses ATG-022's effectiveness, indicates that the drug demonstrates promising efficacy across all levels of CLDN18.2 expression in gastric cancer patients—this includes subsets categorized as having high, low, and ultra-low expression of the protein. Such broad activity is crucial, as it positions ATG-022 as a potential leader in the market, targeting a vast patient demographic affected by CLDN18.2-positive tumors. Additionally, the observed strong efficacy in patients with low CLDN18.2 expression hints that ATG-022 might be effective for treating other tumor types with similar expression profiles, expanding its applicability considerably.

The Future of Antengene

Antengene's commitment to developing pioneering therapeutics extends beyond ATG-022. The company harbors a robust pipeline featuring nine oncology assets at various stages of the clinical and commercial spectrum. Out of these, six possess global rights, and three are designated for the Asia-Pacific region. So far, Antengene has achieved 31 IND approvals across the U.S. and Asia and has submitted NDAs in eleven markets throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Their drug XPOVIO® (selinexor) has already received approval in several prominent markets, including Mainland China and South Korea, displaying Antengene's strong foothold in the biopharmaceutical landscape.

Conclusion

As the ESMO 2025 conference approaches, the spotlight turns to Antengene and ATG-022, marking a hopeful advancement in cancer treatment. With its innovative clinical approaches and robust pipeline, Antengene aims to push the frontiers of cancer care, embodying their vision of "Treating Patients Beyond Borders." Stay tuned for further updates as this promising ADC prepares to make its mark on international cancer treatment protocols.