Pre-clinical research demonstrates selectivity and safety of protease-activated antibody for gastrointestinal cancers
May. 26, 2025, – New Taipei City, Taiwan – GlycoNex, Inc. (4168, hereinafter referred to as GNX), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of glycan-directed cancer immunotherapies, today announced the publication of a peer-reviewed study in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (309, 143176) involving a prototype of GNX201 (L-HKM4).
The article presents preclinical findings on a prototype of GNX201 in a series of in vitro and in vivo models to test its ability to selectively target tumor-associated glycans while avoiding normal tissues. GNX201 is based on GNX’s HKM4 antibody but modified with a protease-cleavable masking domain, developed in collaboration with PrecisemAb Biotech Co.,Ltd.’s “Universal Antibody Lock Technology”. This design blocks its activity until the antibody reaches tumor sites rich in matrix metalloproteinases. The goal of this pro-antibody approach is to improve the therapeutic window of glycan-targeting therapies by minimizing off-tumor binding in normal tissues.
“These findings support the potential of protease-activated antibodies to overcome longstanding safety concerns associated with glycan-targeting therapies,” said Dr. Mei-Chun Yang, CEO of GlycoNex. “This work marks an important milestone in our efforts to develop tumor-selective anti-glycan therapies and expands the therapeutic possibilities for hard-to-treat gastrointestinal cancers.”
Building on these promising results, GNX201 is being further developed as a next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidate. With its demonstrated tumor specificity and favorable safety profile, GNX201 provides a robust foundation for ADC construction aimed at delivering potent cytotoxic payloads selectively to tumors, while minimizing systemic toxicity.
Dr. Mei-Chun Yang added: “We are honored to collaborate with PrecisemAb Biotech and successfully integrate its Universal Antibody Lock platform. The development of GNX201 is expected to provide patients with a safer therapeutic option.”
Pro-Antibody technology has emerged as a next-generation strategy in antibody drug development, offering an effective solution to reduce the toxicity commonly associated with conventional antibody therapies. This publication marks the first report globally to validate the successful application of the Pro-Antibody strategy to glycan-targeting antibodies. It addresses the longstanding challenges of limited selectivity and normal tissue toxicity often observed in glycan antigen-targeted therapies, presenting significant scientific and commercial value.
Looking ahead, GlycoNex will continue the development of GNX201 and actively seek clinical and strategic partners to accelerate translational advancement and licensing opportunities.