Innate Pharma features innovative cancer immunotherapies at AACR 2019

New data describes that a combination of Innate’s anti-CD39 monoclonal antibody and ATP-inducing oxaliplatin had enhanced the control of tumor growth

Innate Pharma has reportedly announced that new preclinical data from the innovative portfolio of the company’s next generation cancer immunotherapies has been unveiled at a conference session at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, organized from 29th March to 3rd April in the Atlanta city.

Seemingly, the CD73 and CD39 are membrane-bound extracellular enzymes playing a vital role in advancing immunosuppression through the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into immunosuppressive adenosine (Ado). The blockade of CD73 and CD39 has the capability of promoting anti-tumor immune responses across a broad tumor range.

Innate Pharma mentioned that the new data describes a combination of IPH5201, its anti-CD39 monoclonal antibody, and ATP-inducing oxaliplatin had synergistic outcomes to enhance the control of tumor growth. In addition, CD73/IPH5301 complex’s crystal structure showed data that supports a type of differentiated mode of IPH5301 action and enhanced efficacy as compared to competitors.

The studies using electron microscopy revealed that the IPH5301 monoclonal antibody links mainly with CD73 dimer in an intra-dimer phase, limiting the CD73 enzyme that is in an inactive state in which AMP could not be hydrolyzed, in comparison to other antibodies in development phase.

In 2018, the findings which were presented at American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) conference described that IPH5301 is more capable in vitro in comparison to anti-CD73 antibodies presently under clinical development on both soluble CD73 and membrane-bound in T cell proliferation assays and enzymatic activity.

Apparently, Innate is expecting INDs to be filed for IPH5301 in the first half of 2020 and IPH5201 in the second half of 2019. 

For the record, Innate Pharma has a licensing agreement and research collaboration with Sanofi regarding the evaluation and generation of up to two multifunctional NK cell engagers using technology of both companies and tumor targets. Under the agreements, Sanofi is responsible for manufacturing, commercialization and products development while Innate Pharma is eligible for €400m in commercialization payments and development and royalties on net sales.