SK Biopharmaceuticals expands oncology pipeline with US radiopharmaceutical deal.

SOUTH KOREA—SK Biopharmaceuticals of South Korea has strengthened its oncology pipeline by in-licensing a second radiopharmaceutical asset from a US academic institution.

The company acquired the global rights to WT-7695, a preclinical radiopharmaceutical targeting carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9), through an agreement with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF).

WT-7695 was developed in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and SK now holds exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and market the drug.

Although financial terms were not made public, this deal marks a significant addition to SK’s oncology focus.

This small molecule radiopharmaceutical specifically targets CA9, a transmembrane protein that plays a crucial role in regulating intracellular pH.

CA9 is highly expressed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and other solid tumors such as pancreatic and colorectal cancers, while being minimally expressed in normal tissues.

Under hypoxic conditions, CA9 often promotes cancer cell growth and metastasis, making it a promising target for cancer treatment.

Preclinical studies conducted with WT-7695 have shown encouraging results, suggesting that the drug could become a leading radiopharmaceutical candidate in cancer therapy.

Following the licensing agreement, SK plans to initiate global clinical trials for WT-7695, with the first studies set to take place in the United States.

This transaction follows SK Biopharmaceuticals’ July 2024 licensing deal for SKL35501, a neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1)-targeting radiopharmaceutical licensed from Full-Life Technologies.

These moves mark a new strategic focus on oncology within SK’s predominantly central nervous system (CNS)-oriented pipeline.

Alongside WT-7695 and SKL35501, SK is developing a p300 degrader, which is currently in the discovery phase, further diversifying its cancer drug portfolio.

Although CA9 is still an emerging target in oncology, several organizations across the Asia-Pacific region are investing in therapies that harness this protein.

For instance, Australian biotech Telix Pharmaceuticals plans to launch its first human trial of TLX-252, a radionuclide drug conjugate, in 2026.

Additionally, Japanese biotech PeptiDream recently submitted an investigational new drug (IND) application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its CA9-binding radiopharmaceutical, [225Ac]PD-32766.

If approved, this candidate will enter Phase I clinical trials targeting ccRCC.

PeptiDream has maintained a close collaboration with Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis since 2010, driven by Novartis’s interest in radioligand therapies.

The two companies expanded their drug discovery partnership in 2024, reflecting the growing emphasis on this therapeutic approach.

Beyond radiopharmaceutical development, Xuzhou Medical University in China is investigating CA9 as a therapeutic target through a Phase I interventional trial.

This study is exploring a CA9-directed CAR-T cell therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma.