Immutep’s Efti and Keytruda combo shows strong survival benefits in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

• Immutep (ASX:IMM) reveals its drug Efti, in combination with Keytruda, generates significant survival benefits for those suffering from metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
• At lower protein PD-L1 expression, survival rates increase between 23.4 and 35.5 months, with higher levels yet to be tested
• The company believes the drug is an equal competitor to chemotherapy, with its ability to increase patient survival, reduce disease progression and reduce the size of cancerous tumours
• Immutep CEO Marc Voigt states the results mark the “strongest ever” results in a phase two clinical trial evaluating a dual immuno-oncology approach
• IMM shares are up 12.7 per cent, trading at 31 cents at 11:30 am AEDT

Immutep (ASX:IMM) has revealed its drug Efti, in combination with Keytruda, has generated significant survival benefits for those suffering from metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

The company recorded a median survival rate of 35.5 months in first-line treatments of patients expressing the protein PD-L1 at more than one per cent and 23.4 months in patients with a lower D-L1 expression.

After 12 months, survival rates are 46.8 per cent, 42.1 per cent, and 55 per cent for all PD-L1 groups, with higher levels of PD-L1 associated with better progression-free survival.

IMM has not begun testing at higher protein expression levels, however, it believes the drug is an equal competitor to chemotherapy, with its ability to increase patient survival, reduce disease progression and reduce the size of cancerous tumours.

Immutep CEO Marc Voigt said the results marked the “strongest ever” results delivered in a phase two clinical trial evaluating a dual immuno-oncology approach.

“We are extremely pleased to report these excellent overall survival results, the gold standard benchmark within oncology, in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer,” he said.

“The strength of the data positions us well as we continue to plan and prepare for our phase three trial that we expect to launch next year.”

Today also marks the release of the company’s complete Efti program data in the form of a webinar.

IMM shares were up 12.7 per cent, trading at 31 cents at 11:30 am AEDT.