Zymeworks Announces FDA Clearance of Investigational New Drug Application for ZW251, a Novel Glypican 3-Targeted Topoisomerase 1 Inhibitor Antibody-Drug Conjugate

Core Insights - Zymeworks Inc. has received FDA clearance for its investigational new drug application for ZW251, a novel glypican-3 (GPC3)-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) aimed at treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [1][2] Company Overview - Zymeworks is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing multifunctional biotherapeutics for challenging diseases such as cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders [4] - The company has a robust pipeline, including zanidatamab, a HER2-targeted bispecific antibody, which has received various regulatory approvals in the U.S., Europe, and China [4] Product Development - ZW251 is engineered to selectively target GPC3, which is expressed in over 75% of HCC cases, and is designed with a drug-antibody ratio (DAR) of four to enhance dosing flexibility [2] - Preclinical studies of ZW251 have shown strong anti-tumor activity and favorable tolerability in various HCC models, with a notable safety profile in non-human primate studies at doses up to 120 mg/kg [2][3] - The company plans to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials for ZW251 in 2025, marking the second ADC from its pipeline to enter clinical development [3][5]