Pilatus Biosciences takes its Lausanne-born immunotherapy to Hong Kong

Pilatus Biosciences, a Biopôle-based biotech whose lead therapy originated in research conducted in Lausanne, has established a subsidiary in Hong Kong and received regulatory approval to begin a clinical trial of PLT012 in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Pilatus Biosciences, which develops metabolic checkpoint immunotherapies for liver and gastrointestinal cancers, has received the Certificate for Clinical Trial / Medicinal Test from the Hong Kong Department of Health for its lead investigational therapy, PLT012, in patients with advanced solid tumors. The company has also established a Hong Kong subsidiary.

PLT012 is a first-in-class therapeutic targeting CD36, a key regulator of metabolic dysfunction and inflammation. The program is being developed for indications where modulation of CD36 has the potential to improve patient outcomes. The study will be conducted at the Phase I Clinical Trial Centre, under the Department of Clinical Oncology of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, with Dr. Stephen Chan as principal investigator.

The new subsidiary expands the company’s presence in one of Asia’s leading biotechnology and clinical-research hubs. Pilatus plans to draw on the territory’s life sciences ecosystem to support clinical development, academic and strategic collaborations, and engagement with regional investors.