Full Press Release Details
IMMUTEP ANNOUNCES CHINESE PATENT GRANT FOR
LAG-3 ANTAGONIST ANTIBODY LAG525
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 27 August 2021 Immutep Limited (ASX: IMM; NASDAQ: IMMP) ( Immutep or the
Company ), is pleased to announce the grant of patent no. ZL201580013695.X entitled Antibody molecules to LAG-3 and uses thereof by the Chinese Patent Office.
This new Chinese patent follows the grant of the corresponding Australian, United States, European, and Japanese patents announced in 2018 through 2020.
In particular, the claims of the patent are directed to LAG525, pharmaceutical compositions comprising LAG525, nucleic acid molecules that code for the LAG525
antibody, an expression vector or host cell that comprises the nucleic acid molecules, and to the use of LAG525 in the manufacture of a preparation for the treatment of cancer or infectious disease.
LAG525 (INN: leramilimab) is a humanised form of Immutep s IMP701 antibody which is out-licensed to Novartis AG.
The patent is co-owned by Novartis AG and Immutep S.A.S. and will expire on 13 March 2035.
About IMP701 and LAG525
IMP701 is a therapeutic
antagonist antibody originally developed by Immutep S.A. (now Immutep S.A.S.) to target LAG-3. This antibody plays a role in controlling the signalling pathways in both effector T cells and regulatory T cells
(Treg). The antibody works by activating effector T cells by blocking inhibitory signals that would otherwise switch them off, and also by inhibiting Treg function that normally prevents T cells from responding to antigen stimulation. The antibody
therefore removes two brakes that prevent the immune system from responding to and killing cancer cells. In contrast, some other antagonist LAG-3 antibodies in development target only the effector T cell
pathway and don t address the Treg pathway.
LAG525, a humanised form of IMP701, is being evaluated in several Phase I and/or Phase II clinical
trials in combination with Novartis PD1 inhibitor spartalizumab for the treatment of various cancers. Novartis has full responsibility for the continued development of the antibody program and Immutep is eligible to receive development-based
milestone payments and royalties on sales following commercialisation of the antibody.
Further information on the clinical studies may be obtained at:
Level 12, 95 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Immutep is a globally active biotechnology company that is a leader in the development of LAG-3 related
immunotherapeutic products for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. Immutep is dedicated to leveraging its technology and expertise to bring innovative treatment options to market for patients and to maximize value to shareholders.
Immutep is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (IMM), and on the NASDAQ (IMMP) in the United States.
Immutep s current lead product
candidate is eftilagimod alpha ( efti or IMP321 ), a soluble LAG-3 fusion protein (LAG-3Ig), which is a first-in-class antigen presenting cell (APC) activator being explored in cancer and infectious disease. Immutep is also developing an agonist of LAG-3 (IMP761) for
autoimmune disease. Additional LAG-3 products, including antibodies for immune response modulation, are being developed by Immutep s large pharmaceutical partners.
Further information can be found on the Company s website www.immutep.com or by contacting:
Australian Investors/Media:
+61 (0)406 759 268; cstrong@citadelmagnus.com
Tim McCarthy, LifeSci Advisors
+1 (212) 915.2564; tim@lifesciadvisors.com
announcement was authorised for release by the Board of Immutep Limited.
Level 12, 95 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000