Could you introduce Zymeworks and explain its focus in simple terms?
Zymeworks specializes in cancer research with an emphasis on an approach called multifunctional therapeutics.What this means is that we’re creating single biologic structures that produce drugs that incorporate multiple mechanisms of action against tumors. This innovative approach has the potential to produce drugs that provide clinical benefits for patients afflicted with cancers and other serious diseases that have historically been challenging to treat. In many cases we may be able to improve overall survival rates that have remained low and unchanged for too long.
How do your platforms differ from others in the market, and can you explain their operation in layman's terms?
Zymeworks was founded on a computational platform designed to craft complex biologic drugs for the pharmaceutical industry using an early form of AI. This platform enables us to design unique structures of antibodies, such as bispecific and trispecific antibodies, that we know will have a high likelihood of success. Our computational approach has consistently proven its worth by accelerating development and uncovering unique antibody structures that behave differently from others. This research is one example showing the value of AI in pharmaceutical innovation.
Given your long-standing work with AI, what are your thoughts on the current AI revolution, especially in life sciences?
While AI has become a buzzword recently, it's been a part of our toolkit for a long time, aiding our scientists and engineers without replacing their intuition that is so necessary for innovation.
AI serves as a useful tool for establishing starting points and speeding up development processes, but the most groundbreaking scientific ideas still stem from human creativity and insight.
How has the market responded to your technology, and why should pharmaceutical companies consider using it?
Our computational platform has been instrumental in designing complex molecules like bispecific and trispecific antibodies with a deep understanding the geometry of these molecules. This unique capability allows us to rapidly uncover distinctive antibody structures. This capability can play a central role in helping many pharmaceutical companies advance promising research.
Could you discuss the relationship between your platform and the development of zanidatamab?
Zanidatamab, our bispecific HER2 antibody, showcases our platform's strength in designing a bifunctional molecule by integrating the mechanisms of trastuzumab and pertuzumab into one structure. This approach has led to a differentiated mechanism of action that has shown promise in clinical data, especially for treating cancers with HER2 overexpression or amplification.
What are your expectations for zanidatamab, considering its FDA breakthrough designation?
Our clinical data indicates significant improvements in response rates, survival duration, and overall survival, demonstrating the drug's potential to fill a significant therapeutic gap in the treatment of HER2-amplified biliary tract cancers.
How do you plan to commercialize zanidatamab upon approval?
Once again, the path forward for zanidatamab highlights the potential for collaboration with our platform. As a small biotechnology firm, we've partnered with BeiGene and Jazz Pharmaceuticals for the global commercialization of zanidatamab. These partnerships leverage existing commercial infrastructures to be able to deliver the drug swiftly and widely, fulfilling our goal to address unmet medical needs while paving the way for future commercial endeavors of our own discoveries.
What challenges do you anticipate in achieving widespread adoption of zanidatamab?
As with many novel new therapies, the primary challenge lies in raising physician awareness about the availability of HER2-targeted therapy for biliary tract cancer, as diagnostic practices may not currently prioritize HER2 amplification identification. Highlighting the potential benefits of targeted therapy for eligible patients will be crucial for ensuring those affected have access to treatment.
Do you believe cancer is on its way to becoming a chronic disease?
For certain types of cancer, such as metastatic breast cancer and prostate cancer, advancements have indeed transformed them into more chronic conditions. However, innovation has not uniformly benefited all cancers, leaving some, like biliary tract cancers, with limited and inadequate treatment options available. Zymeworks focuses on cancers and other serious diseases that have been underserved, aiming to make significant impacts where the need is greatest.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of Zymeworks?
Our goal is to remain at the forefront of emerging science, pushing the boundaries of antibody drug conjugates and multispecific antibodies. By continuing to innovate and swiftly bring new treatments to patients in need, particularly those with few other options, we aim to make a meaningful difference in their lives and in the broader medical community.
