- Biotechnology company Immutep (IMM) has been granted a European patent for IMP761, an anti-LAG-3 antibody
- The company is developing novel LAG-3 immunotherapy treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases
- IMP761 is an immunosuppressive agonist antibody which targets the LAG-3 immune checkpoint and is a preclinical product candidate for the treatment of T-cell mediated inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
- Immutep CEO Marc Voigt said the patent will underpin the company’s ongoing investment in the product candidate
- Shares gained 12.2 per cent today to close at 27.5 cents
Immutep (IMM) has been granted a European patent for IMP761, an anti-LAG-3 antibody.
The company is developing novel LAG-3 immunotherapy treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases
The subject of the patent, IMP761, is an immunosuppressive agonist antibody which targets the LAG-3 immune checkpoint.
Immutep CEO Marc Voigt said the patent will support the investment in the product candidate for the treatment of T-cell mediated inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
“IMP761 is the first agonist antibody that targets the immune checkpoint LAG-3 and aims to treat the root cause of autoimmune diseases such as, for example, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.”
“It is very pleasing to see the grant of this patent in the important European market which will underpin ongoing investment in this promising product candidate.”
The new patent, number 3344654, is valid until September 1 2036.
Immutep Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Officer Dr Frederic Triebel said being granted the patent is a significant step forward, in an area which has considerable unmet need.
“There continues to be a significant unmet medical need for patients with various autoimmune diseases and so it is highly encouraging to see the recent progress being made with IMP761 towards clinical development, both in terms of cell line development announced in April 2020 and now with securing intellectual property protection.”
In April, the company announced its partner Batavia Biosciences had developed a stable CHO cell line which produces significantly more IMP761.
Immutep will complete preparations for the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) process compliance development phase, prior to any clinical testing of IMP761.
Shares gained 12.2 per cent today to close at 27.5 cents.