On February 23, 2020 WuXi Biologics ("WuXi Bio") (2269.HK), a leading global open-access biologics technology platform company offering end-to-end solutions for biologics discovery, development and manufacturing, reported that its strategic partner Immutep, a biotechnology company developing novel immunotherapy treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases, on the positive interim data from the company’s ongoing Phase II TACTI-002 study (Press release, WuXi Biologics, FEB 23, 2020, View Source [SID1234554624]).
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The data relates to use of Immutep’s lead product candidate eftilagimod alpha ("efti" or "IMP321"), a soluble LAG-3 protein, as part of a combination treatment with pembrolizumab. The study shows encouraging results that the Overall Response Rate (ORR) of the combination treatment reaches 47% among first line non-small cell lung cancer patients, while that of pembrolizumab monotherapy is only about 20%. The activation of antigen presenting cells (APC) and subsequent T cell recruitment with efti may lead to stronger anti-tumor responses than observed with pembrolizumab alone.
"The results we are seeing are highly encouraging. WuXi Biologics is a key partner for this novel immune oncology approach. As our trials continue to advance, the expertise and quality the WuXi Biologics team delivers will become even more important to Immutep as they provide a robust and reliable manufacturing platform for efti’s global clinical development," commented Mr. Marc Voigt, CEO of Immutep.
"Congratulations to Immutep on making this exciting progress," said Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, "We are honored to enable global innovative biotechnology companies such as Immutep to advance molecules from idea to commercialization, and will continue to deliver highest quality biologics through our robust and high quality global supply chain network to expedite clinical development of this program to benefit patients worldwide."
Empowered by WuXi Biologics’ proprietary technology platforms, Immutep, which had only four employees initially, has been expediting clinical trials of the innovative IMP321 in Europe and the United States since 2010. In November 2016, the two companies signed an MOU to form a strategic biologics development and manufacturing partnership for IMP321.