Full Press Release Details
Immutep Appoints Leading Research Institute to Conduct
First-in-Human Phase I Study of IMP761
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 18 April 2024 Immutep Limited (ASX: IMM; NASDAQ: IMMP) ( Immutep or
the Company ), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel LAG-3 immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune disease, today announces it has entered into an agreement with the Centre
for Human Drug Research (CHDR), a world-class institute in Leiden, the Netherlands specializing in cutting-edge early-stage clinical drug research, to perform a
first-in-human clinical study of IMP761. This proprietary LAG-3 agonist antibody has been designed to restore balance to the
immune system and address the underlying cause of many autoimmune diseases.
Subject to the relevant ethic and regulatory approvals, the single and
multiple ascending dose, placebo-controlled, double-blind, Phase I study will enrol approximately 49 healthy volunteers, with the objective of assessing safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). The study will implement CHDR s
unique keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) challenge model that allows for the evaluation of immunomodulatory agents pharmacological activity at the earliest stages of clinical development.
Immutep s Chief Scientific Officer, Fr d ric Triebel, M.D., Ph.D., stated, IMP761 is a first-in-class LAG-3 agonist antibody developed to reinforce the dampening of T cell responses in autoimmunity. The phase I trial in healthy subjects is designed to
establish clear PK/PD relationships at different dose levels, with a placebo control group, to lay the foundation for the future development of this novel immunotherapy. We are excited to leverage CHDR s expertise in working with targeted
immunotherapy candidates in the clinical setting to evaluate IMP761 s potential in changing how autoimmune disorders are treated.
Moerland, Ph.D., CHDR s Research Director Immunology and Principal Investigator for the upcoming trial, said, It is an honour for us to run the first clinical study with IMP761. We re very excited to be partnering with Immutep for
this critical step in the development plan of their promising antibody. We are confident that CHDR s unique neoantigen KLH challenge model will help define and measure by dose levels its pharmacological activity in man.
Immune checkpoint agonists, including LAG-3, PD-1, and CTLA-4, are increasingly gaining recognition in the healthcare industry for their inherent ability to treat autoimmune diseases.1 In numerous scientific
publications, LAG-3 has been identified as a promising target for agonist immunotherapy for autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis, among others.2,3,4
IMP761 is uniquely positioned as the world s first immunosuppressive
LAG-3 agonist antibody. It may address numerous autoimmune diseases by silencing self-antigen-specific memory T cells, which accumulate at disease sites, and preventing their overactivation. This is
accomplished through enhancing LAG-3 s natural downregulation of auto-reactive memory T cells. IMP761 remains on target to enter the clinic mid-CY2024 and
Immutep looks forward to providing more information as it approaches this important milestone.
IMP761, a first-in-class immunosuppressive
LAG-3 agonist antibody, has the potential to address the root cause of many autoimmune diseases by specifically silencing autoimmune memory T cells that accumulate at disease sites and restoring balance to the
immune system. As published in the Journal of Immunology, encouraging pre-clinical in vivo and in vitro studies show IMP761 inhibits peptide-induced T cell proliferation, activation
of human primary T cells, and an antigen-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction. Additional preclinical data in oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (o-JIA) published
in Pediatric Research details how IMP761 led to a decrease in a broad spectrum of effector cytokines in just 48 hours. This study also showed children with o-JIA have a skewed LAG-3 metabolism and suggested they can benefit from agonistic LAG-3 activity.
Immutep is a clinical-stage biotechnology
company developing novel LAG-3 immunotherapy for cancer and autoimmune disease. We are pioneers in the understanding and advancement of therapeutics related to Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG-3), and our diversified product portfolio harnesses its unique ability to stimulate or suppress the immune response. Immutep is dedicated to leveraging its
expertise to bring innovative treatment options to patients in need and to maximise value for shareholders. For more information, please visit www.immutep.com.
Australian Investors/Media:
Catherine Strong, Morrow
+61 (0)406 759 268; c.strong@morrowsodali.com
U.S. Investors/Media:
Chris Basta, VP, Investor
Relations and Corporate Communications
+1 (631) 318 4000; chris.basta@immutep.com
This announcement was authorised for release by the CEO of Immutep Limited.
1. Grebinoski S, Vignali DA. Inhibitory receptor agonists: the future of autoimmune disease therapeutics? Curr Opin Immunol. 2020 Dec;67:1-9. doi:
10.1016/j.coi.2020.06.001. Epub 2020 Jun 30. PMID: 32619929; PMCID: PMC7744338.
2. Pedersen, J.M., Hansen, A.S., Skej , C. et al. Lymphocyte
activation gene 3 is increased and affects cytokine production in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 25, 97 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13075-023-03073-z
3. Jones BE, Maerz MD et al. Fewer LAG-3+ T Cells in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis and Type 1
Diabetes. J Immunol. 2022 Feb 1;208(3):594-602. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100850. Epub 2022 Jan 12. PMID: 35022272; PMCID: PMC8820445.
4. Zhou X, Gu Y et al. From bench to bedside: targeting lymphocyte activation gene 3 as a therapeutic strategy for autoimmune diseases. Inflamm Res. 2023
Jun;72(6):1215-1235. doi: 10.1007/s00011-023-01742-y. Epub 2023 Jun 14. PMID: 37314518.
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