IMMUTEP GRANTED JAPANESE PATENT FOR EFTILAGIMOD ALPHA, A SOLUBLE LAG-3 PROTEIN, IN COMBINATION WITH A PD-1 PATHWAY INHIBITOR

On August 30, 2022 Immutep Limited (ASX: IMM; NASDAQ: IMMP) ("Immutep" or "the Company"), a biotechnology company developing novel LAG-3 related immunotherapy treatments for cancer and autoimmune disease, reported the grant of a new patent (number 7116547) entitled "Combined Preparations for the Treatment of Cancer or Infection" by the Japanese Patent Office (Press release, Immutep, AUG 30, 2022, View Source [SID1234618810]).

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This new Japanese patent follows the grant of the corresponding Australian, European, United States and Chinese patents announced in 2018 through 2022.

The claims of the new patent protect Immutep’s intellectual property relating to combined therapeutic preparations comprising (a) its lead active immunotherapy candidate eftilagimod alpha ("efti" or "IMP321"), which is a LAG-3 fusion protein (LAG-3Ig), and (b) an anti-PD-(L)1 antibody. The claims are also directed to related methods of use in the treatment of cancer and infection.

In addition to broader style claims, the granted claims include narrower claims drawn to specific combinations of efti with various approved PD-(L)1 antibodies.

In all, the claims provide comprehensive coverage of both combination products and combination therapies comprising efti and an anti-PD-(L)1 antibody.

The patent expiry date is 8 January 2036.

Immutep CEO, Marc Voigt, noted: "We are pleased to see continued progress in building our global patent estate around efti. This is especially meaningful when coupled with the very promising data we have reported from TACTI-002 in three cancer indications, along with the initiation of TACTI-003 in the past 12 months. This Japanese patent, along with the equivalent patents granted in other key global markets, underpin the investments we have made to develop this unique candidate and give Immutep important strategic options."