On March 9, 2020 Innate Pharma SA (Euronext Paris: IPH – ISIN: FR0010331421; Nasdaq: IPHA) ("Innate" or the "Company") reported that the first patient was dosed in a Phase I clinical trial evaluating IPH5201, an anti-CD39 blocking monoclonal antibody, in adult patients with advanced solid tumors (Press release, Innate Pharma, MAR 9, 2020, View Source [SID1234555329]). The purpose of the study, which is sponsored by AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/NYSE: AZN), is to evaluate IPH5201 as monotherapy and in combination with durvalumab (anti-PD-L1) with or without oleclumab (anti-CD73 monoclonal antibody).
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The IPH5201 Phase I program is supported by positive pre-clinical results presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 2019 Congress, which demonstrated that blocking CD39 in combination with PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors provides increased antitumor efficacy over PD-L1 alone and supports the rationale for assessing this combination in clinical trials. Pre-clinical data recently published by Innate Pharma1 also demonstrates the rationale to further evaluate the combination of CD39 and CD73 blockade in cancer indications, given their potential synergistic effect on an anti-tumor response. The blockade of CD39 not only prevents production of immunosuppressive adenosine, but also promotes accumulation of immunostimulatory adenosine triphosphate (ATP). It is increasingly recognized that the adenosine pathway is critical in tumor immunosuppression.
"We’re pleased that the IPH5201 clinical studies have started, as blockade of CD39 represents an innovative and differentiated approach to potentially reverse immunosuppression mediated by adenosine in the cancer microenvironment. In particular, IPH5201’s potential to unleash immune responses makes it an interesting molecule to investigate for the treatment of solid tumors, particularly in combination therapies," said Pierre Dodion, Chief Medical Officer of Innate Pharma. "AstraZeneca is a very valuable partner given their expertise in the adenosine pathway and leadership in this field. We’re excited to see our first molecule progressing to the clinic from our multi-faceted partnership, helping to accelerate our Company strategy and advance our immuno-oncology portfolio."
The multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation Phase I study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, antitumor activity, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and immunogenicity of IPH5201 alone, or in combination with AstraZeneca’s anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy, durvalumab, with or without its anti-CD73 monoclonal antibody, oleclumab. More information on the Phase I clinical trial can be found at View Source
About IPH5201:
In October 2018, Innate Pharma and AstraZeneca entered into a development collaboration and option agreement for further co-development and co-commercialization for IPH5201.
IPH5201 is a blocking antibody targeting the CD39 immunosuppressive pathway.
CD39 is an extracellular enzyme that is expressed in the tumor microenvironment, on both tumor infiltrating cells and stromal cells in several cancer types. CD39 inhibits the immune system by degrading adenosine tripohsphate (ATP) into adenosine monophosphate (AMP), that is then further degraded into adenosine by CD73. By promoting the accumulation of immune-stimulating ATP, and preventing the production of immune-suppressive adenosine, the blockade of CD39 may stimulate anti-tumor activity.