ZenoGen Pharma

ZenoGen Pharma was a San Diego-based clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing first-in-class monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer. The company's core technology centered on targeting ROR1 (Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1), a protein highly expressed in various hematologic and solid tumors but largely absent in healthy adult tissues. Its lead candidate, zilovertamab (formerly cirmtuzumab or UC-961), was developed through research at the University of California, San Diego, and showed promise in early clinical trials for leukemia and lymphoma. In 2016, ZenoGen Pharma merged with Oncternal Therapeutics to consolidate their ROR1-targeted portfolios and accelerate clinical development. Following the merger, the combined pipeline progressed into Phase 1/2 trials, establishing ROR1 as a significant therapeutic target in oncology.