SunRock Biopharma and Escugen Forge Alliance to Develop First-in-Class CCR9-Targeted ADC
SunRock Biopharma and Escugen have entered a strategic partnership to co-develop SRB123, a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate targeting CCR9, a tumor-associated antigen overexpressed in pancreatic, ovarian and lung cancers
Share
The collaboration combines SunRock's proprietary SRB1 antibody, selected for its high binding affinity and efficient tumor cell internalization, with Escugen's EZWi-Fit™ linker-payload platform, a next-generation ADC technology optimized for the linker stability and selective tumor release of the potent payload. The result is a highly differentiated therapeutic candidate designed exclusively for solid tumors with high CCR9 expression and internalization rates.
Under the agreement, both companies will share development responsibilities, file joint patents, and hold reciprocal licensing option rights. The primary goal is to generate robust preclinical proof-of-concept data to support early clinical entry in the near term.
'Combining our deep antibody engineering expertise with Escugen's innovative conjugation platform enables us to deliver a precision oncology candidate with First-in-Class potential,' said Dr. Laureano Simón, CEO of SunRock. 'CCR9 remains an underexploited but clinically validated target. This program addresses real unmet needs in aggressive tumors with poor prognosis.'
Dr. Qing Zhou, Co-Founder and CEO of Escugen, stated, 'This strategic collaboration with SunRock Biopharma aligns with our vision of developing First-in-Class precision oncology candidates through technological innovation. It further highlights the unique advantages of our EZWi-Fit™ platform technology in next-generation ADC development. The platform's strong anti-tumor activity and favorable tolerability provide a solid foundation for targeting high CCR9-expressing solid tumors. We are confident that combining our expertise will accelerate SRB123's progress and bring new hope to patients.'
CCR9 has been associated with metastatic potential and chemoresistance, particularly in pancreatic and ovarian cancers. SRB1, the unconjugated antibody from SunRock, has already demonstrated strong preclinical efficacy in these models. The ADC format (SRB123) leverages this targeting while enhancing tumor cell killing via Escugen's payload delivery system.
The partnership will be showcased during the BIO International Convention 2025, where both companies will engage with potential development and commercialization partners.
About SunRock Biopharma
SunRock Biopharma is a biotech company focused on developing next-generation antibody-based therapies targeting unmet medical needs in oncology and immunology. Operating under an open innovation model, SunRock combines cutting-edge academic science, advanced technology platforms, and a selective business approach to generate highly differentiated, licensable assets. Its portfolio includes optimized monoclonal antibodies, next-generation ADCs, and radioconjugates, with validated targets such as CCR9 and HER3. SunRock follows an early-stage out-licensing strategy, designed to maximize risk-adjusted returns, and maintains active collaborations with leading pharma and biotech partners worldwide.
About Escugen
Escugen is a clinical-stage biotechnology company located in Shanghai, China, focusing on the development of innovative ADC drugs. Currently, Escugen's lead Trop-2 ADC pipeline, ESG401, has entered Phase III clinical trials. Escugen's next-generation linker-payload technology platform, EZWi-Fit®, offers significant competitive advantages in terms of safety, efficacy, anti-multiple drug resistance, and pharmacokinetic characteristics. Leveraging this platform technology, Escugen is rapidly expanding its ADC pipeline targeting new or validated target. The first ADC product baring the EZWi-Fit® technology has successfully launched its FIH clinical campaign. In addition, Escugen has licensed this platform technology to several domestic and international biotechnology companies to empower their innovative ADC projects.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
PharmAla Issues Q3 Financial Statements
TORONTO, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc. ('PharmAla' or the 'Company') (CSE: MDMA) (OTC: MDXXF), a biotechnology company focused on the research, development, and manufacturing of LaNeo™ MDMA and novel derivatives of MDMA (MDXX class molecules), is pleased to have publicly filed its financial and operational results for the period ended May 31, 2025. All figures are reported in Canadian dollars. The Company's full set of unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the quarter and accompanying management's discussion and analysis can be accessed by visiting the Company's website at and its profile page on SEDAR+ at . 'The re-opening of PharmAla's domestic Canadian distribution has allowed us to execute as much volume in Q2 and Q3 as we did in all of the last fiscal year. The creation of our Prescriber's Portal has also allowed us to build a much closer relationship with our doctor customers, which we believe will serve us well moving forward,' said Nick Kadysh, CEO, PharmAla Biotech. 'As we move into the last quarter of Fiscal '24-25, we are incredibly pleased that a large shipment of LaNeo MDMA has arrived at our US distribution partner for delivery to a considerable group of clinical trial customers, most previously announced. PharmAla is also pleased to announce the completion of a manufacturing run in Australia for our 40mg LaNeo Capsules. These capsules were jointly manufactured for both Cortexa's use within Australia and PharmAla's use worldwide, and our improved manufacturing process should yield operational benefits well into the future.' Financial Highlights: 'Over the past quarter, our team has made exciting progress to ensure a reliable supply of pharmaceutical product for both researchers in clinical trials and patients in need of treatment,' said Will Avery, CFO, PharmAla Biotech. 'Our Prescriber Platform continues to empower physicians to access the MDMA and provide treatment for their patients and we look forward to additional clinical trial fulfillment to US and international customers in the near term, unburdened by cross-border trade issues.' About PharmAla PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc. (CSE: MDMA) (OTCQB: MDXXF) is a biotechnology company focused on the research, development, and manufacturing of MDXX class molecules, including MDMA. PharmAla was founded with a dual focus: alleviating the global backlog of generic, clinical-grade MDMA to enable clinical trials as well as commercial sales in selected jurisdictions, and to develop novel drugs in the same class. PharmAla is the only company currently provisioning clinical-grade MDMA for patient treatments outside of clinical trials. PharmAla's research and development unit has completed proof-of-concept research into several IP families, including ALA-002, its lead drug candidate. PharmAla is a 'regulatory first' organization, formed under the principle that true success in the psychedelics industry will only be achieved through excellent relationships with regulators. For more information, please contact: Nicholas Kadysh Chief Executive Officer PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc. Email: press@ Phone: 1-855-444-6362 Website: Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'plans', 'strategy', 'expects' or 'does not expect', 'intends', 'continues', 'anticipates' or 'does not anticipate', or 'believes', or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results 'will be taken', 'will launch' or 'will be launching', 'will include', 'will allow', 'will be made' 'will continue', 'will occur' or 'will be achieved'. We direct readers to refer to the 'Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements' contained within the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the period ended May 31, 2025, as filed on Sedar+ . Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these statements are reasonable, such statements are based on expectations, factors, and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control, including but not limited to the risk factors discussed in the Company's management's discussion and analysis, and elsewhere in this press release, as such factors may be further updated from time to time in our periodic filings, available at , which factors are incorporated herein by reference. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results, or otherwise, or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business Wire
Sandisk Forms HBF™ Technical Advisory Board to Guide Development and Strategy for High-Bandwidth Flash Memory Technology
MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sandisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) today announced the formation of a Technical Advisory Board to guide the development and strategy of its groundbreaking High Bandwidth Flash (HBF™) memory technology. The board includes industry experts and senior technical leaders from both within and outside the company. Appointed today, Professor David Patterson and Raja Koduri will provide strategic guidance, technical insight, market perspective, and shape open standards as Sandisk prepares to launch HBF. 'We're honored to have two distinguished computer architecture experts join our Technical Advisory Board,' said Alper Ilkbahar, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, and HBF Technical Advisory Board member at Sandisk. 'Their collective experience and strategic counsel will be instrumental in shaping HBF as the future memory standard for the AI industry, and affirming we not only meet but exceed the expectations of our customers and partners.' Professor David Patterson, Pardee Professor of Computer Science, Emeritus at the University of California at Berkeley and a Google distinguished engineer, will lead the Technical Advisory Board and guide the group toward actionable insights and decisions. He is a prominent computer scientist known for co-developing Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC), which revolutionized processor design. He played key roles in the development of Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID), and Networks of Workstations (NOW). Patterson co-authored the seminal textbook Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach and was also awarded the 2017 ACM Turing Award for his contributions to the industry. 'HBF shows the promise of playing an important role in datacenter AI by delivering unprecedented memory capacity at high bandwidth, enabling inference workloads to scale far beyond today's constraints,' said Professor Patterson. 'It could drive down costs of new AI applications that are currently unaffordable.' Raja Koduri is a computer engineer and business executive renowned for leading graphics architecture, with previous positions at AMD as Senior Vice President and Chief Architect and at Intel as Executive Vice President of Accelerated Computing Systems and Graphics. He directed the development of AMD's Polaris, Vega, and Navi GPU architectures, Intel's Arc and Ponte Vecchio GPUs, and spearheaded Intel's foray into discrete graphics. In early 2023, he founded a startup focused on generative AI for gaming, media, and entertainment, and joined the Board of Tenstorrent in the AI and RISC‑V semiconductor space. Most recently, he serves as Founder/CEO of Oxmiq Labs and Co-Founder of Mihira Visual Studios and continues to shape graphics and AI innovation through advisory and board roles across the semiconductor industry. 'HBF is set to revolutionize edge AI by equipping devices with memory capacity and bandwidth capabilities that will support sophisticated models running locally in real time,' said Koduri. 'This advancement will unlock a new era of intelligent edge applications, fundamentally changing how and where AI inference is performed.' Introduced at Future FWD: Sandisk 2025 Investor Day, HBF is a breakthrough memory solution designed to augment High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) for AI inference workloads, offering comparable bandwidth while delivering up to 8x the capacity at a similar cost. Enabled by BiCS technology and CBA wafer bonding, HBF leverages proprietary stacking with ultra-low die warpage for 16-high configurations. Its architecture has been developed over the past year with input from leading AI industry players. For more information about HBF, please visit this Fact Sheet. About Sandisk Sandisk (Nasdaq: SNDK) delivers innovative Flash solutions and advanced memory technologies that meet people and businesses at the intersection of their aspirations and the moment, enabling them to keep moving and pushing possibility forward. Follow Sandisk on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Join TeamSandisk on Instagram. Sandisk and the Sandisk logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sandisk Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Product specifications subject to change without notice. © 2025 Sandisk Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
VERSES® Featured in IEEE Spectrum
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — VERSES AI Inc. (CBOE: VERS) (OTCQB: VRSSF) ('VERSES'' or the 'Company'), a cognitive computing company specializing in next-generation agentic software systems, has been featured in IEEE Spectrum, the flagship publication of the IEEE, the world's largest professional organization devoted to engineering and the applied sciences. The article, co-authored by VERSES CEO Gabriel René, addresses questions such as: Why does the Spatial Web matter? How, exactly, can it make the world better? These are answered with five example use cases for the Spatial Web: VERSES CEO Gabriel René said 'I am delighted to see our vision of the Spatial Web in IEEE Spectrum. These standards will make it easier for our product, Genius™, to interconnect a physical world-full of devices, phones, wearables, robots, drones, and even AI agents. For Genius customers, this can mean quicker development and deployment and lower integration costs.' The article can be found at: About VERSES VERSES® is a cognitive computing company building next-generation intelligent software systems modeled after the wisdom and genius of Nature. Designed around first principles found in science, physics and biology, our flagship product, Genius,™ is an agentic enterprise intelligence platform designed to generate reliable domain-specific predictions and decisions under uncertainty. Imagine a Smarter World that elevates human potential through technology inspired by Nature. Learn more at , LinkedIn and X . On behalf of the Company Gabriel René, Founder & CEO, VERSES AI Inc. Press Inquiries: press@ Investor Relations Inquiries James Christodoulou, Chief Financial Officer IR@ , +1(212)970-8889
