RZNOMICS Inc. Announces Collaboration for Clinical Trial and Supply Agreement to Evaluate RZ-001 in Combination with anti-PDL1 in Liver Cancer Patients
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Rznomics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in South Korea specializing in RNA-based gene therapeutics, announced today a clinical collaboration agreement with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (Roche). The collaboration aims to investigate RZ-001, a gene therapy approach utilizing Rznomics' proprietary trans-splicing ribozyme-based RNA reprogramming and editing technology, combined with Roche's atezolizumab, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Under the agreement, Roche will supply atezolizumab for use in the planned Phase 1b/2a study.
RZ-001, a cancer gene therapy employing RNA replacement enzymes, targets and cleaves hTERT mRNA, replacing it with therapeutic gene RNA. This induces anti-HCC activity by selectively suppressing hTERT expression in cancer cells, along with a cytotoxic effect. Additionally, RZ-001 promotes effective immune cell infiltration into tumors, reduces VEGF expression, and transforms the tumor microenvironment to be more responsive to immunotherapy.
Preclinical studies have demonstrated the therapeutic activity of RZ-001, showing a significant improvement in anti-cancer efficacy in combination with atezolizumab. The upcoming clinical study will assess the safety and efficacy in liver cancer patients, with the expectation that the combination may enhance response rates and anti-cancer efficacy for HCC patients.
Rznomics, expressed excitement about the collaboration with Roche, stating, "We look forward to this collaboration, evaluating combination therapy, and continuing our mission to offer innovative therapies for patients in need."
RZ-001, the first Group I intron-based trans-splicing ribozyme-based RNA reprogramming approach, has received FDA approval for evaluation in patients. It takes the form of an adenoviral vector expressing an hTERT targeting trans-splicing ribozyme to treat HCC patients, the most common type of primary liver cancer worldwide. Rznomics has obtained Phase I/IIa IND approval for RZ-001 from both the FDA and the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for HCC and Glioblastoma.
Source: prnewswire.com
