Percheron Earns WHO Official Drug Name as Cancer Therapy Nears Phase II
WHO names Percheron’s HMBD-002 as ‘minperstobart’ in cancer drug milestone
The World Health Organization (WHO) has selected ‘minperstobart’ as the proposed international nonproprietary name (pINN) for Percheron Therapeutics’ (ASX: PER) investigational cancer therapy HMBD-002. The selection marks a meaningful development milestone as the monoclonal antibody, which targets VISTA, a key immune checkpoint regulator in tumour response, advances toward clinical and commercial stages.
Percheron will continue using the HMBD-002 designation until the pINN is definitively confirmed, expected around May 2027.
Dr James Garner, CEO, Percheron Therapeutics
“The selection of an INN is always a key waypoint as drug candidates progress towards commercialisation… we are pleased to see that specific piece of work now successfully completed.”
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What is an INN and why does it matter for drug development?
An international nonproprietary name (INN) is the official, globally recognised name assigned to a drug’s active ingredient by the WHO. It is distinct from the internal compound codes that sponsor companies use during early development.
Compound code numbers such as HMBD-002 are chosen entirely by the sponsor company for internal administrative purposes. The INN replaces this designation in formal scientific and regulatory contexts, though the two may coexist during a transitional period.
A key characteristic of INNs is that they cannot be trademarked and are not owned by any single company. The INN refers to the active ingredient regardless of which manufacturer produces it, meaning any future generic version of a drug would share the same INN as the originator product.
INNs are also distinct from commercial brand names. A brand name is selected by the sponsor company at the point of marketing authorisation and must be approved by the relevant regulatory agency in each country where the product is sold. The brand name is trademarked and remains the property of the sponsor.
The development pathway for a drug’s naming typically follows three stages. Using a well-known oncology therapy as an illustrative comparison:
- Stage 1 (Code Number): An internal identifier assigned by the sponsor
- Stage 2 (INN): An official name selected by the WHO, typically around Phase II clinical trials
- Stage 3 (Commercial Brand Name): A trademarked name approved at marketing authorisation
| Stage | Code Number | INN | Commercial Brand Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percheron Therapeutics | HMBD-002 | minperstobart | TBD |
| Illustrative Example | MK-3475 | pembrolizumab | Keytruda® |
INN selection typically occurs around the Phase II clinical trial stage, contextualising where Percheron currently sits in the development timeline. The name minperstobart incorporates phonemes from both Hummingbird Bioscience, the originating company, and Percheron, reflecting each organisation’s respective role in the drug’s genesis and development.
For investors, INN assignment signals that a drug candidate is maturing through formal development processes and is approaching a clinical trial phase, indicating meaningful scientific and regulatory progress.
What comes next for minperstobart and Percheron’s pipeline
Key milestones on the path to confirmation
The WHO’s proposed INN designation initiates a structured confirmation process. Key dates in the forward timeline include:
- January 2027: WHO expected to publish minperstobart in the 136th list of Proposed International Nonproprietary Names
- January to May 2027: Four-month public comment period
- Around May 2027: Definitive confirmation of the INN expected
- 2H CY2026: Percheron anticipates commencing a new clinical trial of HMBD-002
The pINN will begin appearing in clinical trial protocols and scientific publications during CY2026, ahead of final confirmation. Percheron has also not yet selected a commercial brand name for HMBD-002, with that process expected to occur as the drug approaches commercial registration, in accordance with guidelines from the FDA and other national regulatory agencies.
Clinical context and the VISTA opportunity
HMBD-002 is a monoclonal antibody targeting VISTA, a key component of the immunological response to tumours. The therapy has completed a Phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced cancer, with results showing the drug to be generally safe and well-tolerated.
The anticipated commencement of a new clinical trial in 2H CY2026 represents the next material value-creation catalyst for investors. The INN milestone is also notable for its timing: HMBD-002 was in-licensed approximately ten months ago, indicating the Percheron team has executed efficiently across multiple development-readiness activities within a relatively short period.
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About Percheron Therapeutics
Percheron Therapeutics (ASX: PER | OTCQB: PERCF) is a publicly listed biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialisation of novel therapies for oncology and rare diseases. The company’s lead program is HMBD-002 (proposed INN: minperstobart), a monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint regulator VISTA. HMBD-002 has completed a Phase I clinical trial in patients with advanced cancer, and Percheron aims to commence further clinical trials in CY2026.
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