SHANGHAI, Feb. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi Biologics
("WuXi Bio") (2269.HK), a leading global open-access biologics
technology platform company offering end-to-end solutions for
biologics discovery, development and manufacturing, congratulates
its strategic partner Immutep, a biotechnology company developing
novel immunotherapy treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases,
on the positive interim data from the company's ongoing Phase II
TACTI-002 study.
The data relates to use of Immutep's lead product candidate
eftilagimod alpha ("efti" or "IMP321"), a soluble LAG-3 protein, as
part of a combination treatment with pembrolizumab. The study shows
encouraging results that the Overall Response Rate (ORR) of the
combination treatment reaches 47% among first line non-small cell
lung cancer patients, while that of pembrolizumab monotherapy is
only about 20%. The activation of antigen presenting cells (APC)
and subsequent T cell recruitment with efti may lead to stronger
anti-tumor responses than observed with pembrolizumab alone.
"The results we are seeing are highly encouraging. WuXi
Biologics is a key partner for this novel immune oncology approach.
As our trials continue to advance, the expertise and quality the
WuXi Biologics team delivers will become even more important to
Immutep as they provide a robust and reliable manufacturing
platform for efti's global clinical development," commented Mr.
Marc Voigt, CEO of Immutep.
"Congratulations to Immutep on making this exciting progress,"
said Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi
Biologics, "We are honored to enable global innovative
biotechnology companies such as Immutep to advance molecules from
idea to commercialization, and will continue to deliver highest
quality biologics through our robust and high quality global supply
chain network to expedite clinical development of this program to
benefit patients worldwide."
Empowered by WuXi Biologics' proprietary technology platforms,
Immutep, which had only four employees initially, has been
expediting clinical trials of the innovative IMP321 in Europe and the
United States since 2010. In November
2016, the two companies signed an MOU to form a strategic
biologics development and manufacturing partnership for IMP321.
About Immutep
Immutep is a globally active biotechnology company that is a
leader in the development of LAG-3 related immunotherapeutic
products for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease.
Immutep is dedicated to leveraging its technology and expertise to
bring innovative treatment options to market for patients and to
maximize value to shareholders. Immutep is listed on the Australian
Securities Exchange (IMM), and on the NASDAQ (IMMP) in
the United States. Immutep's
current lead product candidate is eftilagimod alpha ("efti" or
"IMP321"), a soluble LAG-3 protein (LAG-3Ig) based on the LAG-3
immune control mechanism. This mechanism plays a vital role in the
regulation of the T cell immune response. Efti is currently in a
Phase IIb clinical trial as a chemoimmunotherapy for metastatic
breast cancer termed AIPAC; a Phase II clinical trial being
conducted in collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA (known as "MSD" outside
the United States and Canada) referred to as TACTI 002 (Two ACTive
Immunotherapies) to evaluate a combination of efti with KEYTRUDA®
(or pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 therapy) in several different solid
tumours (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03625323); a Phase I
clinical trial being conducted in collaboration with Merck KGaA,
Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer Inc.
referred to as INSIGHT-004 to evaluate a combination of efti with
avelumab (clinical trials.gov identifier NCT03252938); and a Phase
I combination therapy trial in metastatic melanoma termed TACTI-mel
(clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02676869). Additional LAG-3
products, including antibodies, for immune response modulation in
autoimmunity and cancer are being developed by Immutep's large
pharmaceutical partners. Immutep is also developing an agonist of
LAG-3 (IMP761) for autoimmune disease. Further information can be
found on the Company's website www.immutep.com.
About WuXi Biologics
WuXi Biologics (stock code: 2269.HK), a Hong Kong-listed company, is a leading global
open-access biologics technology platform offering end-to-end
solutions to empower organizations to discover, develop and
manufacture biologics from concept to commercial manufacturing. Our
company history and achievements demonstrate our commitment to
providing a truly ONE-stop service offering and strong value
proposition to our global clients. As of June 30, 2019, there were a total of 224
integrated projects, including 106 projects in pre-clinical
development stage, 102 projects in early-phase (phase I and II)
clinical development, 15 projects in late-phase (phase III)
development and one project in commercial manufacturing. With total
estimated capacity for biopharmaceutical production planned in
China, Ireland, Singapore, and the U.S. exceeding 280,000
liters by 2022, we will provide our biomanufacturing partners with
a robust and premier-quality global supply chain network. For more
information on WuXi Biologics, please visit
www.wuxibiologics.com.
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SOURCE WuXi Biologics