OncoQuest

Quest PharmaTech Inc. is a Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused on developing antibody-based therapies for cancer treatment. One of its key assets is a 42.5% ownership interest in OncoQuest Inc., a former subsidiary that sold its immunotherapy technology assets, including oregovomab, to Korea-based OQP Bio Inc. in April 2020.

Oregovomab is a monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy that was initially developed by Quest and later transferred to OncoQuest for further development. It targets a tumor-associated antigen called CA125 and aims to stimulate the immune system to fight against ovarian cancer. In January 2024, a Phase III clinical trial (FLORA-5) evaluating oregovomab for ovarian cancer treatment, sponsored by CanariaBio Inc., received recommendations from an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board to discontinue the trial after a futility analysis for interim progression-free survival. However, the board suggested continuing follow-up observations due to the potential for late-onset immune effects on overall survival.

Quest holds bonds of OQP Bio Inc., received as consideration for the sale of OncoQuest's assets, and has been actively pursuing options to monetize these bonds. The company has also been in discussions with CanariaBio M Co. Ltd., the parent company of OQP Bio, regarding the continuation of the oregovomab clinical program.

In addition to its interest in OncoQuest, Quest is developing its proprietary product candidate, MAb AR 9.6, a monoclonal antibody targeting truncated MUC16, a tumor-associated marker for pancreatic, ovarian, and breast cancers. MAb AR 9.6 has shown promise as a theranostic agent in preclinical studies, demonstrating tumor-targeting abilities and the potential for applications such as immuno-positron emission tomography, fluorescence-guided surgery, and radioimmunotherapy. The company obtained a US patent for MAb AR 9.6 in July 2023, protecting various isoforms of the monoclonal antibody and its AllergoOncology Technology.