Bertis-ENCell
develops next-generation breast cancer cell therapeutics 
using genetic proteomic analysis technology

- Proteogenomic analysis technology of Bertis Inc., together with ENCell Co., Ltd.’s cell therapy development technology,

is producing cell therapeutics for each subtype of breast cancer.
- Bertis has expertise in breast cancer diagnosis technology and is now expanding the pipeline to the therapeutic area.

- “The dream treatment that compensates for the shortcomings of targeted anticancer drugs

opens a new era using cell therapeutics to eliminate suffering from breast cancer.”

<Picture: A non-face-to-face business agreement ceremony of Bertis-ENCell 
(from left, Bertis CEO Seung Man Han and ENCell CEO Jong Wook Chang) >

On the 23rd of the previous month, Bertis, a company developing proteomics-based early-diagnosis technology, signs a business agreement with ENCell (CEO Jong Wook Chang), a company developing cell therapeutics and providing CDMO service, to make next-generation breast cancer cell therapeutics based on proteogenomic analysis technology.
 
Both companies plan to analyze subtypes of breast cancer stem cells using proteogenomic analysis technology of Bertis and discover optimal new drug candidates for each subtype. In addition, combined with cell therapy development technology of ENCell, Bertis plans to develop next-generation breast cancer cell therapeutics for clinical trials to verify the efficacy of using cell lines derived from breast cancer patients. 

Currently, targeted anti-cancer drugs dominate the breast cancer treatment market. Because it selectively attacks only cancer cells, it has fewer side effects on normal cells and has a very effective anti-cancer effect. However, one shortcoming is that the effect decreases with long-term use. The cell therapeutic is attractive as the next-generation treatment because it treats the cause of diseases and has a superior therapeutic effect and duration than targeted anti-cancer drugs. 

Based on the know-how accumulated while developing breast cancer diagnosis technology, Bertis aims to discover optimal cell therapeutic candidates using proteogenomic analysis technology by subtype. This process will accelerate by cooperating with ENCell, the leading cell therapeutic contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) company in the market.  

Bertis CEO Seung Man Han announced, “The company can expand the pipeline from diagnosis to treatment by collaborating with ENCell and their superior treatment development technology.” And added, “I expect to usher in a new era in which people will no longer suffer from breast cancer because of the development of safe and effective cell therapeutics—the dream treatment.” 

ENCell CEO Jong Wook Chang said, “Uncovering cell therapeutics for solid tumors such as breast cancer remains a challenge to researchers, but we will use our technology and expertise to develop a safe and effective treatment.” 

Bertis introduced MASTOCHECK, an early-detection technology for breast cancer, through major screening centers and currently developing a diagnosis technology for cardiovascular diseases, pancreatic cancer, and ovarian cancer using its own proteomics technology. 

ENCell is a company founded by Professor Jong Wook Chang of Samsung Medical Center and is leading the domestic cell therapeutics CDMO market and extending its field of business to cell/gene therapy by the recent completion of its second plant in Hanam. In the first half of this year, ENCell’s two IND applications for next generation stem cell therapeutics to begin phase I clinical trials for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Charcot Marie Tooth disease got approved. Furthermore, it is extending its development pipeline to the field of anticancer immune cell therapy.