ImmuneOnco Biopharmaceuticals (Shanghai) Co., Ltd (HKG: 1541) has announced the first patient dosing in a Phase I clinical study in Australia for its investigational drug, IMM47, a first-in-class CD24-targeted monoclonal antibody (mAb). This marks a significant step in the development of a novel immunotherapy approach for cancer treatment.
IMM47’s Mechanism of Action
IMM47 demonstrates high affinity for CD24, a protein expressed on tumor cells, and is designed to block the immunosuppressive signals transmitted from the CD24/Seglec-10 pathway to macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cells. By inhibiting these signals, IMM47 aims to counteract the immunosuppression often associated with cancer and enhance the body’s immune response against tumors.
Enhanced Immune Response and Synergy Potential
Constructed with an antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) enhanced IgG1 Fc, IMM47 is capable of effectively activating the immune response of macrophages and NK cells through strong antibody-dependent cell phagocytosis (ADCP) and ADCC. Proof-of-concept studies have shown that IMM47 can significantly increase the number of M1 macrophages in tumor tissue, indicating good therapeutic effects and strong synergistic potential with other immunotherapies, such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.
Regulatory Progress and Clinical Development
IMM47’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application has been accepted for review by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), indicating the drug’s progress towards clinical evaluation and potential market approval in China. The Phase I study in Australia will provide crucial data on IMM47’s safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy, laying the groundwork for further clinical development and potentially transforming cancer treatment strategies.-Fineline Info & Tech
