Eutilex advances veterinary immune boosters, cancer therapies

Korean biotech company Eutilex is advancing the commercialization of veterinary medicines based on its immuno-oncology platform.

The company’s Goonosis business team is preparing to launch immune boosters for livestock in 2025 and immuno-oncology therapies for companion animals in 2027.

Unlike existing therapies that often require surgery, driving up costs and creating barriers for pet owners, Eutilex’s immuno-oncology therapy is a standalone treatment that doesn’t require surgery. This makes it a less invasive and more cost-effective cancer care option for both dogs and cats, the company said.

The initial target indication is mammary tumors, one of the three most common cancers in dogs, alongside mast cell tumors and lymphomas. Preclinical studies have shown promising results, including changes in the tumor immune environment and tumor reduction at moderate concentrations. Phase 1 clinical trials are set to begin next year, with separate trials planned for dogs and cats.

“Compared to human clinical trials, therapies for companion animals require shorter trial periods and lower costs, enabling faster commercialization,” Lee Hyung-tae, head of the Goonosis business team, said. “We also plan to actively pursue global market entry.”

Before launching the companion animal therapy, Eutilex plans to introduce an immune booster for livestock aimed at enhancing vaccine efficacy. 

Recognized as an Excellent Presentation Winner at the 2024 Korean Society of Veterinary Science Autumn International Conference, Eutilex said the immune booster demonstrated its ability to enhance antigen-specific humoral and cellular immunity alone in vivo.

The immune booster does not require clinical trials for approval, relying instead on non-clinical data to demonstrate effectiveness. Without needing additional regulatory approvals from agencies like the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the product is ready for immediate sale and is scheduled for launch next year.

Both the immune booster and immuno-oncology therapy leverage Eutilex’s proprietary immuno-oncology platform, which utilizes its existing patents and research expertise to reduce R&D costs, offering a competitive pricing advantage, the company added.