Rznomics, a biotechnology company specializing in RNA-based gene therapies, announced on March 5 that it has been selected to deliver an oral presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting. The conference is scheduled to take place in San Diego from April 17 to 22.
The AACR is widely recognized as one of the world's "big three" oncology summits, alongside the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).
First Clinical Proof of Concept for RNA Editing
Rznomics will present interim clinical trial results for its proprietary anti-cancer gene therapy, RZ-001. This presentation is set to feature the first clinical Proof of Concept (POC) data for RNA editing and correction therapies. In the pharmaceutical industry, POC represents the critical initial evidence that a drug functions as intended in human subjects, demonstrating its potential for therapeutic effect.
The company aims to use this global platform to demonstrate the clinical efficacy and safety of its RNA substitution enzyme technology, while actively pursuing commercialization opportunities in the international market.
Targeting Telomerase in Refractory Cancers
RZ-001 is an innovative gene therapy designed to target telomerase mRNA, which is expressed in more than 80% of all cancer types. By targeting this messenger RNA, the therapy induces cancer cell death and promotes the infiltration of immune cells into tumors, potentially increasing the success rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
The therapy has already secured clinical trial approval from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Furthermore, the FDA has granted RZ-001 Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for the treatment of primary liver cancer and glioblastoma.
Synergies in Combination Trials
Rznomics is currently conducting Phase 1b/2a clinical trials for RZ-001 in combination with existing immune checkpoint inhibitors for liver cancer patients. These trials are active across nine institutions in Korea. The combination regimen includes Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab, which currently serve as the first-line standard of care for roughly 70% of advanced liver cancer cases.
Despite being the standard treatment, the objective response rate for the Atezolizumab-Bevacizumab combination remains between 20% and 30%. Rznomics anticipates that if RZ-001 can improve these response rates, it will not only enhance patient outcomes but also create significant commercial synergy.
"We intend to accelerate the development of treatments for intractable diseases through this AACR presentation," a company official stated.
