Patrys has completed the phase I trial of PAT-SM6 and is focusing on the development of a completely new type of therapy for the treatment of cancer. These natural human antibodies offer the promise of increased potency coupled with greater safety as compared to existing cancer treatments. It targets an important protein on the surface of cancer cells called GRP78 that plays a number of key roles in cancer cell survival, growth and metastasis. Traditionally, researchers have utilized rodents to generate antibodies that attack human cancer tissues. In most cases, researchers alter the non-human antibodies by adding human components.

Patrys' another leading candidate PAT-SC1, ImmunoglobulinM (IgM) for gastric cancer, is at a mature stage. PAT-SC1 treated gastric cancer patients with a significant 10-year survival and is now at the stage of commercial production, exhibiting its promises towards a second human clinical trial for the treatment of cancer.

Biosimilar antibody
Remsima (infliximab) is a monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) to treat autoimmune diseases developed by Korea-based Celltrion. Approved by the KFDA, Remsima is the world's first antibody biosimilar to receive regulatory approval based on global clinical trials.

Remsima is indicated for rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and psoriatic arthritis. Celltrion has submitted its marketing authorization application (MAA) for Remsima to the EMA and is expecting approval and launch in over 100 countries worldwide. Celltrion expects to receive marketing approval in numerous emerging market countries towards the end of 2012. The company believes that this approval can grant access to $24 billion TNF-α antagonist market and is likely to be the only biosimilar that can target the global market for the next five years.

Similarly, India-based Reliance Life Science is advancing its biosimilars portfolio, which includes a number of monoclonal antibodies. The company is currently in discussions with several companies for licensing these products in various geographies. The antibodies developed by RLS are largely in two therapeutic categories: anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory segments.