Boan published a review of potential solid tumor target CD228

On December 15, 2024, a comprehensive review article written by Boan Biotech titled "Unlocking the potential of melanotransferrin (CD228): implications for targeted drug development and novel therapeutic avenues" was published in the journal ‘Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets’, a member of Taylor & Francis. The article reviews the research findings in the field of CD228 and discusses its implication in cancer therapy.

CD228 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane protein which belongs to the transferrin superfamily of iron-binding proteins. CD228 plays important roles in tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, endothelial cell migration, plasminogen activation, and transendothelial transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). There are two forms of CD228, sMFI2 and mMFI2. Soluble CD228 (sMFI2) has certain clinical value in the disease diagnosis for malignant tumors, Alzheimer’s disease, and arthritis, and facilitating macromolecular drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier, indicating its development prospects in tumor brain metastasis and central nervous system fields. Membrane bound CD228 (mMFI2) is highly expressed in numerous solid tumors, including melanoma, pancreatic cancer, mesothelioma, colon cancer, breast cancer and lung squamous cell carcinoma, but has low expression in normal tissues. This high tumor expression specificity makes it an ideal target for antibody-drug conjugates. 

BA1302 is an innovative CD228-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) developed by Boan Biotech, with a CD228 monoclonal antibody generated from Boan’s proprietary fully human antibody transgenic mice BA-huMab®. BA1302 employs a cleavable hydrophilic linker to conjugate the cytotoxic payload MMAE to the CD228 monoclonal antibody via interchain cysteine, specifically binding to membrane bound CD228 (mMFI2) without binding to the soluble CD228 (sMFI2). BA1302 shows robust anti-tumor efficacy in multiple solid tumor models. Compared to marketed ADCs utilizing MMAE as the payload, BA1302 exhibits a longer half-life, higher exposure, and better tolerability profiles in cynomolgus monkeys. BA1302 is currently undergoing phase 1 clinical study, making it the first innovative ADC targeting CD228 in China.

Dr. Dou Changlin, the corresponding author,  President of R&D and Chief Operating Officer of Boan Biotech, said, “Current research has highlighted the theoretical foundation and potential of CD228 as a target for cancer therapy, and multiple CD228-targeted drug candidates have entered clinical trials. BA1302, as the only CD228-targeted ADC in the clinical development stage globally, has become one of the most representative innovation outcome in this field. We are accelerating clinical trials and related translational research of BA1302, to unlock the potential of CD228-targeted therapies, bringing benefits to patients as early as possible.”

Boan Biotech continues its in-depth research on therapeutic targets, antibodies, linker-payloads, and has developed more stable and effective linker-payloads as well as an optimized ADC technology platform that covers the entire processes of ADC drug discovery and development. The company already has two ADC products targeting Claudin18.2 (BA1301) and CD228 (BA1302) in clinical research. Additionally, several high-potential innovative drug candidates, including bispecific ADCs, are in its pipeline. These candidates will strengthen Boan’s “IO+ADC” product portfolio and its potential in exploring combination of innovative drugs across different targets in combination with Boan’s own PD-1 and VEGF inhibitors for various indications, thus enhancing the efficacy of existing standard therapies and increasing Boan’s success rate in clinical development for innovative drugs.