Zumutor – Licensing Opportunity for Next Generation Tumor-Directed Immunotherapeutics Harnessing the Power of NK Cells

Zumutor Biologics is a biotechnology company based in Boston, USA, and Bangalore, India, focused on advancing innovative cancer immunotherapies. The company is interested in natural killer (NK) cell mediated immune checkpoint therapies to modulate the tumor microenvironment.

Zumutor’s lead asset, ZM008, is an anti-LLT1 monoclonal antibody currently in Phase 1 clinical trials for patients with various solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), prostate, head and neck (SCHNC), ovarian, breast and urothelial cancers. ZM008 is a first-in-class, fully human IgG1 antibody that blocks the interaction between LLT1 and CD161, thereby activating NK cells to enhance tumor cell destruction.

The First-in-Human trial has recruited 6 patients so far at multiple US sites; ZM008 is well tolerated.

Zumutor’s proprietary human antibody platform, INABLR®, enables the development of novel, first-in-class therapeutic antibodies.

Background on ZM008

Zumutor’s focus on Tumor-Directed Immuno-Oncology aims to transform cancer treatment by harnessing NK cell activity to alter the Tumor Microenvironment (TME). ZM008, as a first-in-class, fully human IgG1 antibody, disrupts the LLT1-CD161 interaction, priming NK cells to recognize, and eliminate tumor cells.

On August 09, 2023, Zumutor received FDA approval for the Investigational New Drug (IND) application of ZM008. The Company enrolled its first patient in a Phase 1 dose-escalation trial in June 2024, with ongoing enrollment and an anticipated active dose target of 2.3 mg/kg by early 2025. The primary study objectives include safety and establishing a recommended monotherapy dose with ZM008, with additional objectives for preliminary efficacy and dose determination for combinatorial use with pembrolizumab. The trial aims to address the unmet need for patients who do not respond adequately to existing immunotherapies like anti PD1/PDL1 agents.

Preclinical studies support ZM008's safety and efficacy across multiple tumor types, demonstrating increased NK and T cell activation, infiltration of TME, enhanced IFN-gamma signaling, CD107a expression, and robust tumor cell cytotoxicity in vitro. In vivo models reveal potential for monotherapy, while ex vivo studies (lung and bladder cancer biopsies) show significant tumor growth reduction as monotherapy and in combination with anti-PD-1 therapies.

Biomarker studies are underway to identify patients most likely to benefit from ZM008.

The Sage Group is assisting Zumutor in securing licensing and acquisition partnerships to advance ZM008’s clinical and commercial development.