- Zymeworks (ZYME, Financial) showcases significant preclinical progress in various cancer treatment platforms at AACR 2025.
- ZW209 and ZW171 demonstrate promising antitumor activity; IND submission for ZW209 expected in 1H 2026.
- ZW327 exhibits robust potential as an antibody-drug conjugate for treating Ly6E-expressing cancers.
Zymeworks Inc. (NASDAQ: ZYME), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, unveiled new preclinical data from its oncology pipeline at the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting, highlighting advancements in both T cell engager (TCE) and antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platforms.
The key focus was on ZW209, a novel trispecific TCE targeting DLL3 in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). ZW209 integrates CD28 co-stimulation, showing enhanced cytotoxicity and durability compared to traditional bispecific TCEs. Zymeworks plans to file an IND for ZW209 in the first half of 2026.
ZW171, another TCE, targets mesothelin in various tumors such as ovarian, pancreatic, and non-small cell lung cancers. Currently in Phase 1 trials, it demonstrates superior cytolytic activity in patient-derived models compared to other mesothelin-targeted therapies.
On the ADC front, ZW327 targets Ly6E-expressing tumors, promising significant anti-tumor activity in diverse cancer types, including triple-negative breast cancer and NSCLC. The antibody utilizes a topoisomerase 1 inhibitor payload, showing a favorable safety profile in non-human primate studies.
Furthermore, Zymeworks introduced innovative technologies for ADC development, including high-throughput functional screening in 3D tumor models and assays predicting hematologic toxicity. This underlines the company's commitment to improving therapeutic candidate selection efficiency.
Zymeworks' Chief Scientific Officer, Paul Moore, Ph.D., emphasized the continued strength and innovation within their oncology portfolio, specifically in using novel approaches to enhance efficacy and safety across different treatment modalities.
