The FDA has granted fast track designation to SOT106, an investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) which targets leucine-rich repeat-containing 15 (LRRC15), for the treatment of patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS).1
SOTIO has not yet entered clinical testing, but a first-in-human trial is expected to initiate later in 2026. The designation was instead supported by preclinical findings and by the biology of the target.
In preclinical studies, SOT106 produced tumor regression in an LRRC15 low-expressing patient-derived xenograft model of pediatric osteosarcoma in which a first-generation LRRC15-targeting ADC was ineffective, and it generated complete responses across soft tissue sarcoma subtypes, non–small cell lung cancer, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.2 LRRC15 is a clinically validated target that is broadly expressed across multiple sarcoma subtypes, which SOTIO said positions the agent to potentially address a broad population of patients with limited therapeutic options.1,4
"Receiving fast track designation for SOT106 is an important regulatory milestone that reinforces this program's potential to improve outcomes for patients facing these difficult-to-treat cancers," Vivi Boura, MD, chief medical officer of SOTIO, stated in a news release.1
In the release, Boura said that soft tissue sarcomas remain a major unmet medical need, where decades of therapeutic progress have yet to translate into meaningful improvements for patients with advanced or recurrent disease. She added that the company aims to translate the agent's design and LRRC15-targeting strategy into a treatment option for patients across multiple STS subtypes.
SOT106 previously received FDA orphan drug designation for the treatment of osteosarcoma, which SOTIO announced in June 2026.3
What is the mechanism of action of SOT106?
FDA Fast Track Designation for SOT106 in STS: Highlights
- SOT106 is an ADC that targets LRRC15, a protein which is expressed across STS subtypes.
- Early preclinical data for SOT106 has shown promising efficacy in STS, NSCLC, and HNSCC.
- The first-in-human trial for SOT106 in STS is expected to be initiated later this year.
SOT106 comprises a proprietary SOTIO antibody directed against LRRC15 conjugated to the microtubule-disrupting agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) through LigaChem Biosciences' ConjuAll platform, which is designed for tumor-specific payload release.2,4 After binding LRRC15 on the cell surface, the ADC is internalized and trafficked to the lysosome, where the payload is released to inhibit microtubule polymerization and drive cell death; as a membrane-permeable agent, MMAE can also diffuse into adjacent cells to produce a bystander effect.
LRRC15 is a cell-surface protein expressed on malignant cells and within the tumor stroma of mesenchymal cancers, including a broad subset of sarcomas, and is largely restricted in normal adult tissues, which supports its use as an ADC target.4 Across preclinical models, the ADC demonstrated a favorable pharmacokinetic and safety profile, good stability in vivo, and a high therapeutic index, according to the company.2 On the basis of these findings, SOTIO has characterized SOT106 as a potentially best-in-class LRRC15-directed ADC.
What is the unmet need, and what are the next steps for SOT106 in soft tissue sarcoma?
Soft tissue sarcomas comprise a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal malignancies encompassing numerous histologic subtypes, and systemic treatment for advanced or recurrent disease has historically centered on anthracycline-based chemotherapy, with limited long-term benefit.
The broader sarcoma field has seen recent regulatory and clinical activity: in July 2026, the FDA accepted a new drug application for varegacestat in desmoid tumors, a form of soft tissue sarcoma, and set a PDUFA target action date of April 28, 2027.5 In relapsed or refractory osteosarcoma, the indication for which SOT106 holds orphan drug designation, data from the phase 3 ARTEMIS-011 trial (NCT06935409) recently showed that risvutatug rezetecan improved progression-free survival vs chemotherapy.6
SOTIO expects to advance SOT106 into a first-in-human trial later in 2026; the company said trial information will be posted to ClinicalTrials.gov once available.1,4 No clinical efficacy or safety data for the agent have been reported to date.1
References
- FDA grants Fast Track Designation to SOTIO's SOT106 ADC for soft tissue sarcoma treatment, accelerating clinical development. News release. SOTIO Biotech. August 26, 2026. Accessed August 26, 2026. https://sotio.com/news-publications/news/fda-grants-fast-track-designation-to-sotio-s-sot106-adc-for-soft-tissue-sarcoma-treatment-accelerating-clinical-development
- SOTIO reports promising preclinical data on antibody-drug conjugates SOT109 and SOT106, underscoring best-in-class potential for solid tumor treatments. News release. SOTIO Biotech. April 29, 2025. Accessed August 26, 2026. https://sotio.com/news-publications/news/sotio-reports-promising-preclinical-data-on-antibody-drug-conjugates-sot109-and-sot106-underscoring-best-in-class-potential-for-solid-tumor-treatments
- SOTIO receives U.S. FDA orphan drug designation for SOT106, a potential best-in-class ADC for sarcoma. News release. SOTIO Biotech. June 3, 2026. Accessed August 26, 2026. https://sotio.com/news-publications/news/sotio-receives-u-s-fda-orphan-drug-designation-for-sot106-a-potential-best-in-class-adc-for-sarcoma
- SOT106. SOTIO Biotech. Accessed August 26, 2026. https://sotio.com/pipeline/antibody-drug-conjugates/sot106
- Immunome announces US FDA acceptance of new drug application for varegacestat for the treatment of adults with desmoid tumors. News release. Immunome. July 8, 2026. Accessed August 26, 2026. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260708283482/en/Immunome-Announces-U.S.-FDA-Acceptance-of-New-Drug-Application-for-Varegacestat-for-the-Treatment-of-Adults-with-Desmoid-Tumors
- GSK's licensor Hansoh Pharma announces positive results from a second phase III trial for Ris-Rez in China. News release. GSK. July 28, 2026. Accessed August 26, 2026. https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/gsk-s-licensor-hansoh-pharma-announces-positive-results-from-a-second-phase-iii-trial-for-ris-rez-in-china/