- Immutep (IMM) is granted its fifth patent, with China as the newest office to accept its submission
- Immutep’s LAG525 grant from the Chinese Patent Office follows previous acceptances from Australia, the US, Europe and Japan between 2018 and 2020
- Meanwhile, LAG525 is being evaluated in several clinical trials for the treatment of multiple cancers
- The newest patent will expire on March 13, 2035
- Immutep shares last traded at 50.5 cents on August 26
Immutep (IMM) has been granted its fifth patent, with China as the newest office to accept its submission.
Immutep’s grant, entitled “Antibody molecules to LAG-3 and uses thereof,” has been accepted by the Chinese Patent Office, following previous grant acceptances from Australia, the US, Europe and Japan.
The patent’s claims surround LAG525, an expression vector, or host cell, that is made up of nucleic acid molecules. It also investigates the use of it in the manufacture and preparation for the treatment of cancer or infectious diseases.
LAG525 is a humanised form of Immutep’s IMP701 antibody, which is outlicensed and co-owned by Novartis AG.
IMP701 is a therapeutic antibody that targets LAG-3, which works by removing two brakes that prevent the immune system from responding to and killing cancer cells.
The anti-LAG-3 antibody is currently being evaluated in several clinical trials in combination with Novartis’ PD1 inhibitor spartalizumab for the treatment of multiple cancers.
Novartis maintains responsibility for the continued development of the antibody program, while Immutep is eligible to receive development-based milestone payments and royalties on sales following commercialisation of the antibody.
The latest patent will expire on March 13, 2035.
Immutep shares last traded at 50.5 cents on August 26.