2026.07.01.

Dong-A ST said Wednesday that it showcased its research and development (R&D) achievements and key pipeline assets at the BIO International Convention 2026 (BIO USA 2026), held in San Diego, California, from June 22 to 25.

It also held a series of business meetings to attract investment, secure licensing opportunities and strengthen global partnerships.

At the event, the company highlighted its pipeline in oncology, immunology and inflammatory diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, along with its biosimilar business, as it sought global partners for licensing and co-development.

Dong-A ST also held strategic meetings with global pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms to expand collaboration opportunities as its key R&D programs advance. In parallel, the company pursued open innovation initiatives to identify promising assets for in-licensing, ranging from early-stage research projects to clinical-stage candidates.

Among the company's featured assets were DA-4701, an EGFR-targeted protein degrader; DA-4531, a PARP7 inhibitor; and DA-3880, a biosimilar of the erythropoiesis-stimulating agent NESP, or Novel Erythropoiesis Stimulating Protein.

DA-4701 is an EGFR PROTAC candidate based on targeted protein degradation (TPD) technology and is being developed to overcome resistance associated with existing third-generation EGFR inhibitors.

The candidate employs an inhibitor targeting the EGFR allosteric binding site, providing high selectivity for mutant EGFR over the wild-type receptor. It also incorporates a dual-mode mechanism that combines targeted protein degradation with EGFR inhibition. By suppressing aberrant EGFR signaling while recruiting an E3 ligase to degrade the target protein, DA-4701 is expected to deliver enhanced anticancer activity.

In preclinical studies, DA-4701 demonstrated potent activity against EGFR L858R/C797S mutations and showed promising synergistic effects when combined with amivantamab. The candidate also demonstrated strong activity in patient-derived cells and organoids, with an improved skin safety profile compared with osimertinib.

DA-4531 is an orally administered, selective PARP7 inhibitor designed to suppress tumor cell survival while simultaneously activating antitumor immune responses. PARP7 is known to promote cancer cell growth and help tumors evade immune surveillance.

The candidate induces direct tumor cell death by disrupting DNA damage repair mechanisms while activating Type I interferon (IFN) signaling to restore the tumor microenvironment (TME) and enhance immune cell activity. Preclinical studies demonstrated robust antitumor efficacy as monotherapy, with even greater activity when combined with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. DA-4531 also showed promising efficacy in tumor models resistant to anti-PD-1 treatment.

DA-3880 is a biosimilar of the erythropoiesis-stimulating agent NESP. The product was commercialized in Japan in 2019, demonstrating the company's manufacturing capabilities and product competitiveness.

A phase 1 clinical trial using Aranesp, the European reference product, confirmed biosimilarity, and Dong-A ST is preparing additional development programs to support entry into the U.S. and European markets. The company plans to hold scientific advice meetings with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) while seeking global partners for co-development and commercialization in both regions.

Dong-A ST said it plans to leverage BIO USA 2026 to expand global partnerships, pursue out-licensing and co-development opportunities for its innovative drug pipeline, strengthen its R&D capabilities through open innovation and further accelerate its expansion into global markets.

Source: Korea Biomedical Review(https://www.koreabiomed.com)