On July 17, 2017 Prima BioMed Ltd (ASX: PRR; NASDAQ: PBMD) ("Prima" or the "Company") reported it will receive a second undisclosed significant clinical milestone payment from Novartis, based on the collaboration and licensing agreement between the companies, relating to Prima’s IMP701 LAG-3 antibody (also referred to as LAG525) (Press release, Prima Biomed, JUL 17, 2017, View Source [SID1234519818]).

The LAG525 antibody is currently being evaluated in clinical trials together with Novartis’ PD1 inhibitor PDR001 for the treatment of cancer. Novartis has full responsibility for the continued development of the antibody program and Prima is eligible to receive further potential development-based milestone payments and royalties on sales following commercialisation of the products.

Mr. Marc Voigt, CEO of Prima, commented "We are very pleased by the progression of the LAG525 program. It is wonderful to see our commercial partners continuing to progress the development of LAG-3 products. This announcement, together with the other clinical and non-clinical data published regarding other LAG-3 directed drug development programs over the past twelve months is very encouraging."

About IMP701
IMP701 is a therapeutic antibody originally developed by Immutep S.A.S to target LAG-3. This antagonist antibody plays a role in controlling the signalling pathways in both effector T cells and regulatory T cells (Treg). The antibody works to both activate effector T cells (by blocking inhibitory signals that would otherwise switch them off) and at the same time inhibit Treg function that normally prevent T cells from responding to antigen stimulation. The antibody therefore removes two brakes that prevent the immune system from responding to and killing cancer cells. In contrast, some other checkpoint antibodies in development target only the effector T cell pathway and don’t address the Treg pathway.

IMP701 was licensed to CoStim Pharmaceuticals in 2012 which was subsequently acquired by Novartis in 2014.