China-based Inmagene Biopharmaceuticals and HutchMed (NASDAQ: HCM, HKG: 0013) announced the completion of first patient dosing in a global Phase I clinical study for their IMG-007 in Australia. The drug, an antagonistic monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting OX40, was discovered by HutchMed. Inmagene owns exclusive global option rights to the drug and has been developing it since the drug candidate phase.
Drug Profile
OX40 is a stimulatory receptor member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, mainly expressed on activated T cells. Upon binding to its ligand OX40L, OX40 promotes T cell survival, proliferation, and effector function. Preclinical results showed that IMG-007 was able to bind to human OX40 with high affinity, thereby inhibiting the binding of OX40 to OX40L and reducing OX40L-dependent downstream signaling and cytokine release by OX40+ T cells. By selectively blocking OX40+ T cell functions, IMG-007 has the potential to provide a therapeutic option for pathological OX40+ T cell-mediated immune diseases such as atopic dermatitis. The drug obtained Phase I clinical trial approval in the US in April this year.-Fineline Info & Tech
