BL Pharmtech to Unveil Molecular Glue-Based Anticancer Platform at BIO USA 2026

BL Pharmtech will participate in 'BIO USA 2026', the world's largest bio partnering event, where it will unveil its next-generation anticancer drug platform and global business expansion strategy.

On June 18, BL Pharmtech announced that at BIO USA 2026 in San Diego, USA, it will present its core technology—the Molecular Glue Degrader (MGD)-based anticancer pipeline and platform expansion strategy—to global pharmaceutical and biotech companies as well as research institutes.

During the event, the company plans to hold partnering meetings with global firms in the antibody, antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), and targeted protein degradation (TPD) sectors. In particular, BL Pharmtech aims to broadly discuss global licensing out, joint research, and the potential for combining with new modalities centered on its key candidate, ML301.

ML301 is a molecular glue-based anticancer candidate drug currently under development for refractory solid tumors that rely on the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) mechanism.

ALT-positive tumors are considered a representative area of unmet medical need, as they are difficult to treat with existing therapies. BL Pharmtech aims to selectively degrade the essential driver proteins for cancer cell survival using ML301, thereby achieving a differentiated anticancer effect compared to conventional small molecule inhibitors or PROTAC approaches.

According to the company, ML301 has demonstrated anticancer activity and tumor growth inhibition potential in both cell-based studies using ALT-positive cancer cells and animal model evaluations.

Notably, the molecular glue approach is seen as competitive due to its lower molecular weight and catalytic action properties compared to traditional new drug development methods. Based on this, advantages are anticipated such as the potential for developing orally administrable drugs, sustained target protein removal, and reduced likelihood of resistance development.

BL Pharmtech intends to use BIO USA 2026 as an opportunity to highlight not only the new drug potential of ML301 itself, but also the scalability of its platform.

Key expansion strategies include ML303, a next-generation ADC and Degrader-Antibody Conjugate (DAC) development initiative utilizing the degrader payload properties of ML301, as well as ML304, which combines blood-brain barrier (BBB) shuttle antibody technology to extend into central nervous system disorders.

ML303 is under review as a next-generation smart payload technology to overcome resistance and toxicity issues associated with current ADC therapeutics.

Degrader-based payloads possess the property of catalytically removing target proteins, enabling sustained efficacy even in environments with low target expression. Furthermore, depending on the combination of antibodies, linkers, and payloads, it is possible to expand into various solid tumor therapies, which is a distinct feature.

ML304 is a strategy that combines BBB shuttle antibody technology with molecular glue technology. Through this approach, the company plans to broaden the application scope to the central nervous system disease area, including ALT-positive brain tumors, where current therapeutic access is limited.

BL Pharmtech plans to propose various collaboration models at this global partnering event.

Specifically, the company will pursue a phased approach that includes non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for initial technical review, sharing of preclinical data packages, partner validation through material transfer agreements (MTAs), and negotiations on joint development and licensing structures.

Through collaboration with global pharmaceutical and biotech companies, BL Pharmtech aims to accelerate the preclinical development of ML301 and to realize the business potential of subsequent pipelines that combine antibody engineering-based technologies such as ADCs and BBB shuttle antibodies.

A representative from BL Pharmtech stated, "BIO USA 2026 is an important partnering opportunity to directly present the scientific differentiation and global scalability of ML301. We will actively seek joint research opportunities that start with a clear biomarker-driven indication—ALT-positive cancers—and extend to various technologies, including ADC, DAC, and BBB shuttle antibodies."

BL Pharmtech plans to strengthen its competitiveness as a new drug development company by expanding global partnerships and securing next-generation anticancer modalities centered on its molecular glue-based anticancer platform.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.