LG Chem is moving ahead with the development of GNV205, a next-generation immuno-oncology candidate licensed from South Korean biotech company Genuv, as it seeks to strengthen its pipeline of innovative cancer therapies.
The company said Aug. 19 that it has begun preclinical studies of GNV205 in solid tumors to assess its therapeutic potential and development feasibility.
GNV205 is an antibody-cytokine fusion protein that combines a PD-1 antibody, which blocks immune-suppressing signals, with interleukin-2 (IL-2), a cytokine that stimulates immune cells. The candidate has been designed to become more active in the acidic tumor microenvironment, with the aim of concentrating IL-2 activity around cancer tissue while reducing systemic toxicity.
This approach is intended to enhance the immune response against tumors while addressing one of the key limitations of conventional IL-2 therapies, which can cause significant toxicity when administered systemically.
LG Chem plans to explore GNV205 as a potential treatment for patients who have shown insufficient responses to existing immunotherapies or whose tumors have developed resistance during treatment.
The development also reflects LG Chem’s strategy of combining internal R&D with external technology acquisition. The company secured exclusive global development and commercialization rights to GNV205 from Genuv in September 2025. Under the agreement, LG Chem paid an upfront fee and will make additional milestone payments and royalty payments based on development and commercial performance.
Genuv, founded in 2016, is developing drug candidates for cancer and central nervous system disorders based on its proprietary drug discovery platforms.
For LG Chem, the collaboration provides an opportunity to bring a locally discovered biotech asset into its global development pipeline while broadening its presence in the increasingly competitive immuno-oncology market. The company has also continued to expand its cancer portfolio through external partnerships, including a recent collaboration with China-based OTR Therapeutics.
LG Chem said it will continue pursuing both proprietary research and external innovation to identify and develop new oncology candidates.
Son Ji-woong, head of LG Chem’s Life Sciences Company, said the company plans to “continue expanding its oncology pipeline by combining internal R&D with the introduction of innovative technologies from external partners.”
