Indian drugmaker Dr Reddy's signed an exclusive licensing pact with Australia's Immutep to manufacture, develop and distribute the latter's cancer therapy, the companies said on Monday.
Immutep's eftilagimod shows promising results in head and neck cancer, with a median overall survival of 17.6 months, significantly higher than what has been observed with other approaches. IMMP is well-capitalized with $146.3 million in liquidity, ensuring operations can continue without imminent dilution and funding issues. Despite promising phase 2 data, the fate of eftilagimod remains uncertain, with future trials and FDA discussions critical for potential accelerated approval.
Immutep Limited remains a “Buy” due to promising pipeline updates and strong financials, despite inherent high-risk/high-reward dynamics. Key trials for eftilagimod show encouraging results, particularly in non-small cell lung cancer and soft tissue sarcoma, enhancing the drug's potential. Financially, IMMP has a cash runway at least to 2026, supporting ongoing and future clinical trials without immediate funding concerns.
| Biotechnology Industry | Healthcare Sector | Marc Voigt CEO | XSTU Exchange | US45257L1089 ISIN |
| AU Country | 41 Employees | - Last Dividend | 7 Nov 2019 Last Split | 17 Apr 2012 IPO Date |
Immutep Limited is a pioneering clinical-stage biotechnology firm dedicated to the innovation of LAG-3 based Immunotherapy treatments aimed at combating cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company's foundation is built upon the development and commercialization of groundbreaking therapies that target Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG-3), a critical cell surface molecule integral to the regulation of the immune system. By leveraging the inherent power of patients' immune systems through their novel LAG-3 immunotherapies, Immutep aims to provide effective treatments for those suffering from cancer and autoimmune conditions. Initially established in 1987 and formerly known as Prima BioMed Ltd, the company underwent a rebranding to Immutep Limited in November 2017 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.
Immutep's flagship product, eftilagimod alpha, currently in clinical trials, is poised to revolutionize the treatment of various cancers. This therapeutic candidate utilizes a multi-pronged approach to bolster the immune system's ability to combat cancer cells, and is being evaluated across several clinical trials including TACTI-002 (Phase II for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [HNSCC] and non-small cell lung cancer [NSCLC]), TACTI-003 (Phase IIb for treating HNSCC), INSIGHT-003 (Phase I for NSCLC treatment), and INSIGHT-005 (Phase I/IIa for treating solid tumors).
An innovative immune system modulator, IMP761 is being developed as an agonist of lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3) for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. This therapeutic approach aims at targeting the underlying immune response mechanisms responsible for autoimmune conditions.
As an antagonist antibody, IMP701 plays a critical role in stimulating T cell proliferation, which is a cornerstone for cancer treatment initiatives. By enhancing the body's immune response to cancer cells, IMP701 represents a promising avenue for cancer immunotherapy.
Focused on alleviating autoimmune ailments, IMP731 functions as a depleting antibody that specifically targets and removes autoreactive T cells. This targeted approach aims to diminish the immunological reactions responsible for autoimmunity, highlighting the company's dedication to addressing a broad spectrum of immune-related conditions.
In addition to its robust product pipeline, Immutep has forged strategic collaboration agreements with industry giants such as GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, CYTLIMIC Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., the Institute of Clinical Cancer Research, Merck KGaA, and EOC Pharma. These partnerships are instrumental in advancing the development and commercialization of Immutep's innovative LAG-3 immunotherapy treatments.