- Biotech company Immutep (IMM) has been granted a patent by the European Patent Office
- The patent discusses LAG525, a humanised form of Immutep’s IMP701 antibody
- The patent covers how a combination of LAG525 and spartalizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody molecule, can be used to treat cancer
- The patent is co-owned by Novartis AG and Immutep and expires on July 28, 2036
- Immutep is up 1.19 per cent, trading at 42.5 cents
Biotech company Immutep (IMM) has been granted a patent by the European Patent Office.
Sydney-based Immutep focusses on developing immunotherapy treatments for cancer, infectious disease and autoimmune disease. Its new patent, number EP3317301, is entitled “Combination therapies comprising antibody molecules to LAG-3”.
The patent discusses LAG525, a humanised form of Immutep’s antibody, IMP701, which is out-licensed to Novartis AG.
The patent covers how a combination of LAG525 and spartalizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody molecule, can be used to treat cancer.
IMP701 is a therapeutic antibody which was developed to target LAG-3. The antibody works to both activate cells and inhibit T cell function, therefore removing two brakes that prevent the immune system from responding to and killing cancer cells.
Rights to the development and commercialisation of IMP701 are exclusively licensed to Novartis. The company has full responsibility for the continued development of the LAG-3 antibody program, however, Immutep is eligible to receive development-based milestone payments and sales-based royalties.
The patent is co-owned by Novartis AG and Immutep and will not expire until July 28, 2036.
Immutep is up 1.19 per cent, trading at 42.5 cents at 9:25 am AEST.