Tulip & Science Secures U.S. Patent for 'AST-201'... Accelerating Global Commercialization

Tulip & Science has secured a U.S. patent for its anticancer drug candidate ‘AST-201’, thereby strengthening the foundation for global commercialization. In addition to its combination clinical trial collaboration with Merck (MSD), the company has now acquired a core intellectual property right in the U.S. market, raising expectations for potential technology transfer and joint development.

Tulip & Science announced on the 26th that the substance patent for their anticancer candidate AST-201, an aptamer-drug conjugate (ApDC) targeting GPC3, has been registered by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

With this newly granted patent, Tulip & Science has secured patent rights for AST-201 not only in Korea, China, and Japan, but now in the United States as well. The company noted that, since the U.S. is a key market where global pharmaceutical and biotech companies actively engage in technology transactions, securing intellectual property rights there ensures a competitive edge in future global technology transfer or joint development initiatives.

AST-201 is an ApDC-based anticancer drug candidate designed to selectively attack GPC3-positive tumors. It works by attaching the anticancer agent gemcitabine to an aptamer that binds to GPC3, enabling selective delivery of the drug to cancer cells. The company is currently developing it for major indications such as hepatocellular carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer.

Clinical development is also underway. Tulip & Science is currently conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial of AST-201 in Korea. In April, the company entered into a clinical trial collaboration and drug supply agreement with Merck in the United States for the combination therapy of AST-201 and the immuno-oncology drug Keytruda.

Under the agreement, Merck supplies Keytruda for use in the combination clinical trial and provides scientific support during the clinical process. As Tulip & Science expands the scope of clinical development through collaboration with a global pharmaceutical company, the recent acquisition of the U.S. patent further solidifies the global commercialization platform for AST-201.

The company plans to actively pursue partnering opportunities for technology transfer and joint development with global pharmaceutical companies as clinical development of AST-201 continues.

A representative from Tulip & Science stated, “Securing this U.S. patent is significant as it gives us global rights to the core substance of AST-201. In addition to ongoing clinical development and combination trials with global pharmaceutical companies, obtaining the U.S. patent further strengthens the global commercialization foundation for AST-201.”

The representative added, “We plan to continue clinical development of AST-201 while actively seeking global technology transfer and joint development opportunities.”

Development of follow-up pipeline candidates is also in progress. Tulip & Science is expanding its portfolio of new drug candidates utilizing the ApDC platform following AST-201. In particular, 'AST-203a', a solid tumor therapy targeting Trop2, has been selected as a national new drug development project, accelerating subsequent research and development efforts.

The industry expects that securing the U.S. patent, combined with clinical collaborations with global pharmaceutical companies, will draw increased attention to the commercialization prospects of AST-201 moving forward.

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