Immutep (ASX:IMM) has announced positive initial efficacy data and continued favourable safety data from the placebo-controlled, double-blind first-in-human Phase 1 study evaluating IMP761, a first-in-class LAG-3 agonist antibody for autoimmune diseases.
IMP761, a first-in-class immunosuppressive lymphocyte-activation gene-3 (LAG-3) agonist antibody, has the potential to address the root cause of many autoimmune diseases by specifically silencing autoimmune memory T cells that accumulate at disease sites and restoring balance to the immune system.
Immutep said that through the highest dosing level to date, there have been no treatment-related adverse events in healthy participants. Additionally, pharmacodynamic data at this dosing level show that the inhibition of T cell infiltration in the skin at day ten following a neoantigen rechallenge has already reached 80 per cent.
The LAG-3 immune checkpoint has been identified as a promising therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis in multiple publications. Immutep's IMP761 is the first LAG-3 agonist antibody developed to potentially treat these large and growing disorders, as well as many other autoimmune diseases.
Immutep's chief scientific officer, Dr Frédéric Triebel, said, “The early pharmacological data showing substantial T cell suppression at the highest dose level of IMP761 are very promising, especially in conjunction with its continued favourable safety profile, and highlight the potential efficacy of this LAG-3 agonist in treating autoimmune diseases.
"LAG-3 expression on activated T cells is known to be highly specific to disease sites, and particularly in areas of chronic inflammation. This unique specificity enables the potential for IMP761 to have a more targeted approach with fewer side effects than other therapies. We look forward to evaluating higher dosing levels of IMP761 and hope to further enhance its ability to safely silence the dysregulated T cells responsible for many autoimmune diseases.”
The Phase 1 trial is being conducted by the Centre for Human Drug Research in the Netherlands.