France-based Ipsen and Biomunex Pharmaceuticals announced a global licensing agreement, valued at up to $600m, for experimental cancer therapy BMX-502.
BMX-502 is a bispecific antibody that engages and activates a subset of cytotoxic T cells called mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAIT cells) to target and kill cancer cells.
It targets the GPC3 tumour antigen, which is expressed in multiple cancer types. MAIT cells are found throughout the body, especially in mucosal and barrier tissues and BMX-502 has shown its potential for treating tumours in these areas.
BMX-502 was developed using Biomunex’s proprietary BiXAb antibody technology platform.
Unlike current pan-T cell engager therapies, MAIT engagers aim to avoid common side effects such as regulatory T cell activation and cytokine release syndrome.
According to Ipsen, MAIT engagers offer the potential for a more favourable therapeutic window in certain tumour types compared to traditional pan-T cell engagers.
Ipsen early development senior vice president and head Mary Hinrichs said: “As we continue to grow Ipsen’s pipeline using a science-first approach to partnering across the ecosystem, we believe BMX-502 is a strong addition with first-in-class potential in solid tumours.
“This new MAIT-engager programme will complement our existing TCE portfolio as we harness the next-generation of T cell engagers to overcome treatment challenges, including dose-limiting toxicity, to bring transformational new medicines to people living with solid tumours around the world.”
Under the agreement, Biomunex will complete the investigational new drug (IND)-enabling package.
Ipsen will handle Phase 1 preparation, including the IND submission, and manage all subsequent clinical development and global commercialisation.
Biomunex is eligible for up to $610m, including upfront payments, contingent on development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, plus tiered global royalties on sales.
Biomunex founder, president and CEO Pierre-Emmanuel Gerard said: “This agreement with such an innovative oncology company as Ipsen is proof of the relevance of MAIT-engager approach of Biomunex, the first company worldwide to have identified the high therapeutic potential of MAIT cells in cancer treatment.
“It also represents the demonstration of the added-value of our best-in-class BiXAb platform to rapidly generate innovative and promising bispecific antibodies.
“We are convinced that our MAIT engagers will represent a new step forward in the development of disruptive immuno-therapies for the treatment of cancer. We look forward to initiating and supporting the development of BMX-502 alongside Ipsen.”
Last month, Ipsen received the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approval for Iqirvo (elafibranor) to treat primary biliary cholangitis.
