South Korean biopharmaceutical firm GemVax & Kael Monday said in vitro data showed potent activity of its novel oncology compound against renal cancer.

The active compound of GV1001 is a single peptide derived from telomerase and has been conditionally approved in Korea for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The company is now working on various studies to expand the therapeutic window of the compound.

The latest study conducted by a research team at the Catholic University of Korea demonstrated GV1001 suppressed proliferation and survival of renal cancer cells. A separate animal study showed that the compound inhibited the angiogenesis in mice with cancer cells, leading to cell apoptosis, according to the company.

“This is a landmark study as it demonstrated GV1001’s effect against renal cancer for the first time and further studies will help realize the commercial potential of GV1001,” said Prof. Lee Ji You, who led the investigation.

The latest findings were okayed for publication in the Nov. 15 online edition of Urology.

By Shin Chan-ok and Minu Kim

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