TiUM Bio’s anticancer candidate TU2218 receives WHO name ‘tosposertib’

TiUM Bio announced on Tuesday that it has received approval from the World Health Organization (WHO) for the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) of its anticancer drug candidate TU2218 as “tosposertib.”

TiUM Bio explained that tosposertib is a combination of “tospo,” meaning “together,” and the suffix “sertib,” which means “cell signaling pathway inhibitor.” It embodies the aspiration for an innovative treatment that patients, medical professionals, and society can overcome together.

Tosposertib is an oral dual inhibitor. It suppresses signaling from transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), both of which are involved in cancer cell growth and metastasis. It is a novel drug candidate, discovered and developed to enhance the treatment response to immune checkpoint inhibitors such as Keytruda.

TiUM Bio is conducting phase 2 clinical trials in Korea and the U.S. for the combination therapy of tosposertib and Keytruda. It has also secured meaningful anticancer efficacy data in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer.

“Interest in tosposertib has grown since we presented our phase 2 head and neck cancer data at the SITC International Conference,” TiUM Bio CEO Kim Hun-taek said. “Having two new drug substances listed under the INN is highly meaningful. We will fully dedicate our efforts to developing tosposertib as a practical cancer treatment, along with domestically developed lazertinib.”

The WHO assigns INNs to specific pharmaceutical ingredients or substances. This prevents misuse in drug prescriptions and improves information delivery and convenience. INNs are globally recognized and accepted.