Immutep Doses First Patient in Chemotherapy-Free Bladder Cancer Treatment Study

Australian immunotherapy company, Immutep (Nasdaq: IMMP) has enrolled and dosed the first patient in its INSIGHT-005 Phase I trial. The investigator-initiated study jointly funded with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, will evaluate eftilagimod alpha (“efti”) in combination with BAVENCIO® (avelumab) in up to 30 patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma. The company was leading the PRISM MarketView Emerging Biotech Index in trading on Wednesday.

This chemotherapy-free immuno-oncology (IO) combination of efti and avelumab has already shown promising signals of efficacy and a favorable safety profile in advanced solid tumors.

Immutep CSO, Frédéric Triebel, M.D., Ph.D., “Immunotherapy has made great strides in improving clinical outcomes for patients with bladder cancer, including avelumab that has set a new standard of care for many metastatic urothelial carcinoma patients, and we are pleased to commence patient enrollment in the INSIGHT-005 study that we hope will build upon this progress. The chemotherapy-free IO combination utilizing efti and avelumab has already generated encouraging efficacy and safety in difficult-to-treat advanced solid tumors, and this trial will help further elucidate how efti’s unique immune system activation may complement and enhance the ability of immune checkpoint inhibitors like avelumab to fight cancer.”

Highlights

The study will assess the safety and efficacy of efti and avelumab.

Efti is also under evaluation for a variety of solid tumors including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and metastatic breast cancer.

Efti has received FDA Fast Track designation in first line HNSCC and in first line NSCLC.

Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer. For 2023, it was estimated there would be 82,290 new cases of bladder cancer and 16,710 deaths in the US alone.

About Immutep

Immutep is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing novel LAG-3 immunotherapy for cancer and autoimmune disease. We are pioneers in the understanding and advancement of therapeutics related to Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG-3), and our diversified product portfolio harnesses its unique ability to stimulate or suppress the immune response. Immutep is dedicated to leveraging its expertise to bring innovative treatment options to patients in need and to maximise value for shareholders. For more information, please visit www.immutep.com.