LG Chem strengthens oncology with HiberCell partnership for next-gen kidney cancer drug

LG Chem said Wednesday that its U.S. oncology subsidiary AVEO has signed an exclusive global development and option rights agreement with New York-based biotech company HiberCell for HC-5404, a first-in-class PERK (protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase) inhibitor currently in phase 1 clinical trials.

Through this deal, LG Chem aims to develop a new combination therapy that enhances the efficacy of its existing kidney cancer treatment, Fotivda (tivozanib), marketed in the U.S.

AVEO will lead the upcoming phase 1b trial, after which LG Chem will decide whether to exercise its option for exclusive global rights for phase 2 development and commercialization.

While the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, LG Chem said it will pay HiberCell an upfront fee and make additional milestone and royalty payments based on development progress and future sales.

HiberCell specializes in novel therapies designed to prevent cancer recurrence and metastasis by targeting unique stress response pathways in tumor cells. Its pipeline includes multiple first-in-class agents, among which HC-5404 is the world’s first PERK inhibitor to enter clinical development.

According to LG Chem, HC-5404 is designed to enhance and prolong the anti-angiogenic effects of existing cancer therapies that block the blood supply to tumors. Preclinical studies demonstrated that combining HC-5404 with anti-angiogenic agents showed superior antitumor activity compared to monotherapy in animal models of kidney and gastric cancers.

Building on these findings, LG Chem plans to evaluate the combination of Fotivda and HC-5404 to validate its therapeutic potential and provide new treatment options for patients with renal cell carcinoma.

The U.S. kidney cancer treatment market is estimated to be worth about 10 trillion won ($6.9 billion), making it one of the largest oncology markets worldwide.

“We will continue to deliver more effective therapies to extend survival and improve quality of life for cancer patients around the world,” said Son Jee-woong, head of LG Chem’s Life Sciences division. “LG Chem will focus its capabilities on developing future oncology therapies that drive the growth of our biopharmaceutical business.”