Merck Submits IND Application in China for Zilovertamab Vedotin, the Country's First ROR1-Targeted ADC

Data from Pharma Intelligence shows that the clinical application of MSD's Class 1 biological product Zilovertamab vedotin injection (MK-2140) has been accepted by the CDE. According to publicly available information, this drug is an antibody-drug conjugate targeting ROR1 (Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-Like Orphan Receptor 1), and it is the first ROR1 ADC to be submitted for clinical trials in China.

Data Source: Pharma Intelligence Data

The original developer of Zilovertamab vedotin is VelosBio, which was acquired by MSD for $2.75 billion to obtain the drug.

In the phase I clinical trial for treating lymphoid malignancies, Zilovertamab vedotin did not result in unexpected toxicity and demonstrated anti-tumor activity. Zilovertamab vedotin produced objective tumor responses in 7 of 15 patients (47%; 4 partial and 3 complete) with MCL and in 3 of 5 patients (60%; 1 partial and 2 complete) with DLBCL.

As of now, no therapies targeting ROR1 have been approved globally. The fastest-progressing one is cirmtuzumab, a monoclonal antibody developed by Oncternal, which is currently in Phase II.

In China, the ROR1 ADC drug ABL202, which CStone Pharmaceuticals has licensed from LegoChem, is currently in the preclinical stage. The CAR-T therapy developed by Beiheng Biotech targeting this antigen, as well as the ROR1 CAR-T therapy that Shanghai Pharmaceutical has licensed from Oncternal, are both in the preclinical development stage.

Editorial Responsibility: Liuli

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