Vaxcellbio (CEO Je-Jung Lee,  MD, PhD ), a leading immuno-oncology company, announced  that it has entered into a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Integrated Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University (SNU) to co-develop a drug delivery system (DDS) formulation for antibody-based therapies targeting macular degeneration.

Under the agreement, the two parties will establish a broad collaborative framework that covers:

• Joint research on DDS platforms for antibody therapeutics

• Shared use of equipment, technology, and market intelligence

• Administrative and technical support for collaborative research projects
  
  

Macular degeneration is one of the three leading causes of blindness worldwide. Current standard treatment primarily involves intravitreal injection of VEGF-inhibiting biologics directly into the eye. While effective, this invasive delivery route often causes fear and discomfort for patients, leading to poor adherence.

Vaxcellbio is currently developing VCB-1502, a patient-friendly next-generation macular-degeneration therapy that may replace injectable formulations. VCB-1502 is based on nanobody antibody technology, which offers significantly smaller molecular size than conventional antibodies. This enables superior intraocular permeability and more versatile DDS-based administration routes. In addition, its microbial production system is expected to provide efficient and scalable manufacturing.

VCB-1502 blocks the binding of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to its receptor (VEGFR), thereby inhibiting pathological neovascularization. Preclinical studies have confirmed VCB-1502’s strong binding affinity to VEGF and demonstrated potent suppression of VEGF-mediated neovascular formation in vivo.

Dr. Je-Jung Lee, CEO of Vaxcellbio said, “Current macular-degeneration biologics require injection due to the large molecular size of antibodies. DDS-based formulations leveraging nanobody antibodies could diversify routes of administration, which may reshape the rapidly expanding global treatment market. Through this collaboration with SNU’s world-class DDS program, we expect to generate strong synergies not only in macular-degeneration therapeutics but also in the development of multiple improved biologics.”

Vaxcellbio is building an integrated platform for next-generation therapeutics encompassing immuno-oncology, bispecific antibodies, and DDS-based drug development. Recently, the company obtained the world’s first approval for “Vaxleukin-15,” an immune-adjuvant therapy for canine mammary tumors. Its NK-cell therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma has completed Phase 2a clinical studies, and received additional expanded-access approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of Korea.

Key Takeaways

• Vaxcellbio and the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University signed an MOU to co-develop a DDS-based macular-degeneration therapy.

• The partnership combines Vaxcellbio’s nanobody antibody platform with SNU’s leading drug-delivery expertise to advance VCB-1502, a next-generation alternative to injectable anti-VEGF treatments.

• VCB-1502 demonstrated strong VEGF-binding and neovascular-suppression in preclinical studies, positioning it as a patient-friendly therapeutic with market-shaping potential.

• Dr. Je-Jung Lee, CEO of Vaxcellbio said, “Current macular-degeneration biologics require injection due to the large molecular size of antibodies. DDS-based formulations leveraging nanobody antibodies could diversify routes of administration, which may reshape the rapidly expanding global treatment market. Through this collaboration with SNU’s world-class DDS program, we expect to generate strong synergies not only in macular-degeneration therapeutics but also in the development of multiple improved biologics.”