On October 21, 2020 NeoImmuneTech, Inc., a clinical-stage T cell-focused biopharmaceutical company, reported that it has entered into a second clinical trial collaboration agreement with F. Hoffmann-La Roche (Roche) to evaluate the combination of NeoImmuneTech’s NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa), a novel long-acting IL-7, and Roche’s atezolizumab (Tecentriq), a PD-L1 Checkpoint Inhibitor (CPI) (Press release, NeoImmuneTech, OCT 21, 2020, View Source [SID1234568740]). This new master agreement will now pivot to focus initially on a Phase 2 trial in previously untreated, PD-L1-expressing, locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, with the goal to evaluate anti-tumor efficacy and safety of the NT-I7 and atezolizumab combination. The results of this study will be used to further clinical development of this combination.

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"NT-I7 has the potential to address multiple immune resistance mechanisms by increasing the number of patients’ lymphocytes, expanding T cell repertoire, facilitating the infiltration of cancer-targeting lymphocytes into tumor microenvironments, and sustaining the anti-cancer immune response via memory development," said NgocDiep Le, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of NeoImmuneTech (NIT). "As a result, adding NT-I7 to atezolizumab may increase the efficacy of single-agent atezolizumab and broaden the patient population who may benefit from the combination treatment."

"We are excited to enter into a second collaboration agreement with Roche and to continue advancing our T cell enhancer, NT-I7, in the clinic through multiple collaborations with the field’s leading cancer therapeutics such as atezolizumab," added Se Hwan Yang, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of NIT. "NSCLC is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and we are hopeful that adding NT-I7 to atezolizumab will yield promising results and provide a chemo-free treatment option for these patients."

Tecentriq (atezolizumab) is a registered trademark of Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

About NT-I7

NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa) is the only clinical-stage long-acting human IL-7, and is being developed for oncologic and immunologic indications, in which T cell amplification and increased functionality may provide clinical benefit. IL-7 is a fundamental cytokine for naïve and memory T cell development and for sustaining immune response to chronic antigens (as in cancer) or foreign antigens (as in infectious diseases). NT-I7 exhibits favorable PK/PD and safety profiles, making it an ideal combination partner. NT-I7 is being studied in multiple clinical trials in solid tumors and as a vaccine adjuvant. Studies are being planned for testing in hematologic malignancies, additional solid tumors and other immunology-focused indications.