Source: Innate Pharma
On June 10, 2023, Innate Pharma, a biopharmaceutical company, highlights the latest preclinical findings on IPH6501, a groundbreaking tetra-specific ANKETĀ® (Antibody-based Natural Killer cell Engager Therapeutics), at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2023 congress. IPH6501 represents a first-of-its-kind CD20-targeting ANKETĀ® that simultaneously engages two activating receptors (NKp46 and CD16), the interleukin-2 receptor (without involving the IL-2RĪ± subunit) with a human IL-2 variant, and the CD20 target antigen found on malignant B cells.
Through comprehensive preclinical investigations, IPH6501 has demonstrated its ability to stimulate NK cell proliferation and induce potent NK cell cytotoxicity against CD20+ target cells in various in vitro assays. It has also shown efficacy in ex vivo assays using patient samples with relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) who had undergone prior treatment. Furthermore, in vivo studies conducted in non-human primates have confirmed the strong anti-tumor activity of IPH6501 in CD20+ tumour models. Importantly, when compared to a T cell engager targeting CD20, IPH6501 exhibited superior efficiency in ex vivo assays using R/R B-NHL patient samples.
This updated preclinical data underscores the promising potential of IPH6501 as a highly effective therapeutic approach for CD20-positive malignancies, highlighting its unique mechanism of action and robust anti-tumor activity. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the development of IPH6501 as a novel and promising treatment option for patients with B-cell malignancies.
As the lead in this new class of tetra-specific NK-cell engager, IPH6501 represents an innovative option for the treatment of R/R B-cell non-Hodgkinās lymphomas after multiple lines of treatment, who are still in need of therapies. By providing proliferation and activation signals targeted to NK cells, the tetra-specific NK Cell Engager based on our ANKETĀ® platform leverages the advantages of harnessing NK cell effector functions against cancer cells. With a low systemic cytokine release profile, IPH6501 represents a promising alternative strategy to T cell therapies. IPH6501 continues to progress towards a Phase 1 clinical trial and we look forward to share further updates on other ANKETĀ® assets as they enter the clinic.ā
– Pr. Eric Vivier, PhD, DVM, Chief Scientific Officer at Innate Pharma
