Immutep (ASX:IMM) has announced it has entered into an agreement under which Charles River will conduct a GLP toxicology study for IMP761.
Immutep is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel LAG-3 immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune disease.
IMP761 is a first-in-class LAG-3 agonist antibody that aims to address the underlying cause of many autoimmune diseases, namely the overactivation of self-antigen-specific memory T cells expressing LAG-3.
Preclinical toxicology studies are an essential part of drug development as they help evaluate a drug candidate's potential safety and toxicity before it is tested in humans.
“Immutep is continuing its pioneering work in the LAG-3 immunotherapy landscape, as we advance IMP761, the world’s first LAG-3 agonist antibody, towards the clinic in the first half of next year. With its novel ability to enhance the signalling of the LAG-3 inhibitory receptor and down-regulate auto-reactive memory T cells at the centre of many autoimmune diseases, we believe IMP761 has the potential to change how immune disorders are treated. We are pleased to be working with an established global company like Charles River for this next important step of our pre-clinical development,” said Immutep’s chief scientific officer, Dr Frédéric Triebel.