Ubix Therapeutics: BTK Degrader for B-cell Lymphoma – National Project Selection

Ubix Therapeutics’ Novel BTK Degrader Receives Key Funding for B-Cell Lymphoma Development

A promising new treatment for relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma has secured critical funding, paving the way for continued clinical development. Ubix Therapeutics announced on Thursday, April 25th, that its UBX-303-1 project-a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) degrader-was selected for the 2nd National New Drug Development Project in 2025 by the Korea New Drug Development Foundation (KDDF).

Did you know?-BTK is a crucial enzyme in B-cell development and signaling. Its overactivity contributes to the uncontrolled growth of cancerous B-cells in lymphoma.

Addressing a Important Unmet Need in Blood Cancer Treatment

B-cell lymphoma, a common type of blood cancer, presents a ample challenge for clinicians. Despite the availability of various treatment options,the disease frequently returns or becomes resistant to therapy,creating a significant unmet need for innovative solutions. This is particularly true in cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), where over 50% of patients eventually require third- or fourth-line treatments, and relapse rates remain high.

Pro tip: Targeted protein degradation (TPD) differs from conventional inhibitors. TPD eliminates the disease-causing protein, rather than just blocking its activity.

UBX-303-1: A Targeted Approach to Cancer Treatment

UBX-303-1 utilizes targeted protein degradation (TPD) technology, a cutting-edge approach that harnesses the cell’s natural protein degradation system (UPS) to eliminate disease-causing proteins.Specifically, UBX-303-1 works by breaking down BTK, a protein that is frequently enough overexpressed and overactivated in B-cell lymphoma patients, driving cancer growth.

Clinical Trials Underway in the US and Korea

Ubix therapeutics is currently conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial of UBX-303-1 in both the United States and Korea. Initial results have been encouraging, demonstrating the drug’s oral absorption, pharmacodynamic activity, and tolerability in early participants. the company is now focused on escalating the dosage to determine the optimal treatment regimen. The KDDF funding will support continued clinical development thru September 2027.

Reader question: What factors contribute to treatment resistance in B-cell lymphoma? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Potential for Overcoming Treatment Resistance

According to a company release, UBX-303-1 exhibits activity against a broader spectrum of BTK resistance mutations than other BTK degraders currently in development. This is a crucial advantage, as resistance to existing therapies is a major obstacle in treating B-cell lymphoma. Furthermore, the drug is designed to block both the primary and alternative signaling pathways of the B cell receptor (BCR), perhaps leading to more effective and durable responses.

“UBX-303-1 has activity against a wider range of BTK resistance mutations compared to BTK degraders being developed by other companies, and can block both the main and bypass pathways of B cell receptor (BCR) signaling, so we expect to enable more fundamental treatment,” stated Seo Bo-gwang, CEO of Ubix Therapeutics. “We will be able to further accelerate the clinical development of UBX-303-1 by selecting this project.”

The KDDF’s support represents a sign