#South Korea #Seoul #Hanmi Pharmaceutical #BH3120 #Immunotherapy

Advancements in BH3120 Cancer Immunotherapy by Hanmi Pharmaceutical

Hanmi Pharmaceutical and Beijing Hanmi have made significant strides in their collaborative efforts to bring BH3120, a cutting-edge immunotherapy, closer to realization. The latest updates on the clinical trials for this innovative treatment were shared at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) conference held in Houston, Texas, which drew considerable attention from healthcare professionals and researchers alike.

What is BH3120?

BH3120 represents an exciting development in cancer treatment, derived from Hanmi’s proprietary dual antibody technology known as “Pentambody.” This platform allows a single antibody to bind with two different targets simultaneously. By doing this, BH3120 directly targets PD-L1 found on cancer cells while also engaging 4-1BB on immune cells. This dual targeting is essential for boosting the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Unlike previous anti-4-1BB antibodies that faced challenges related to efficacy and safety, preliminary studies on BH3120 exhibit not only robust anticancer effects but also a unique capacity to separate immune activity in the tumor microenvironment from healthy tissues. This property highlights its potential as a safer alternative to existing therapies.

The Clinical Trial Journey

As part of the ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial launched in South Korea and the United States, researchers are rigorously assessing the safety and tolerability of BH3120 in patients with advanced solid tumors. The trial, which has reached cohort 3 (1 mg/kg), has thus far reported no incidents of dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) or any serious adverse effects. Dr. Dong-wan Kim, a leading figure in this research, remarked positively about these findings, emphasizing the need for further research to confirm the therapy's effectiveness across various cancer types while minimizing typical side effects associated with immunotherapies.

In addition to the standalone assessment of BH3120, the trial also includes an evaluation of its efficacy when used alongside MSD's KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), a notable anti-PD-1 treatment. Recent approvals from both the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the U.S. FDA were received, facilitating a modification in the trial's structure to accommodate this combination approach.

Looking Ahead

With the clinical development expected to advance into full scale next year, Hanmi Pharmaceuticals is poised to lead what is anticipated as a revolutionary step in immuno-oncology. Young Su Noh, Director of the ONCO Clinical Team at Hanmi, expressed the company’s commitment to pushing forward with this promising dual-antibody research, which may redefine the boundaries of cancer treatment.

BH3120 epitomizes the potential for new immunotherapies to evolve from traditional models, offering hope for safer and more effective cancer treatment options. As the clinical trials progress, the oncology community eagerly awaits additional findings that could lead to enhanced treatment protocols and ultimately better outcomes for patients across the globe.

With such innovations on the horizon, the future of cancer treatment may be considerably brighter, driven by the explorations and discoveries from trailblazing companies like Hanmi Pharmaceutical.