From the AFR:

Imugene pens global patent licensing deal with LA-based research centre

Carrie LaFrenzSenior reporter

May 18, 2021 – 2.48pm

ASX-listed immuno-oncology company Imugene has penned a licensing patent deal with the California-based cancer research centre, City of Hope, for a novel cancer therapy targeting solid tumours.

This immunotherapy transforms T cells – natural disease fighters in the human immune system – into cancer fighters by extracting them from patients. In the lab scientists then insert structures called CARs (chimeric antigen receptors). Once paired, the turbocharged CAR-T cells produce a protein which allows it to recognise and destroy cancer cells throughout the body.

Imugene CEO Leslie Chong says this new cancer therapy is considered the “Holy Grail” as it’s targeting solid tumour cells. Paul Jeffers

The US Food and Drug Administration has already approved the use of four CD19 CAR T cell therapies on their own to treat blood cancers, which make up about 10 per cent of all cancers. They have between 60 per cent to 90 per cent response rates.

But the new cell therapy unleashes an oncolytic virus to enable CAR-T cells to target solid tumours, which are difficult to treat with CAR-T cell therapy alone.

City of Hope scientists led by Saul Priceman have combined two potent immunotherapies: Imugene’s CD19 oncolytic virus and CD19 CAR-T cell therapy.

Imugene chief executive Leslie Chong told The Australian Financial Review this is considered the “Holy Grail” of cancer therapy as it targets solid tumour cells, as opposed to just blood cancers leukemia and lymphoma.

“Blood cancers are well served by these CAR-Ts that are approved and by others that are coming up in the world,” she said.

“What is so revolutionary and unique about ours is that we have an oncolytic virus – a virus that only infiltrates into solid tumours – and then it pushes out the same signals as CD19 that you see in blood cancers, where solid tumours do not have this signature.

To use “CAR-Ts, or cellular therapy, to actually combat solid tumours has been the dream and the goal of every pharma company in the world.”

Big challenges

The Imugene share price initally climbed 4.55 per cent but settled the day flat 33¢ each on Tuesday.

Dr Priceman, assistant professor in City of Hope’s Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, said this therapeutic platform addresses two big challenges that make solid tumours so difficult to treat with immunotherapy.

“There are limited solid tumour targets that T cells can be redirected against with CARs,” he said.

“Solid tumours are surrounded by a brick wall – a so-called immuno-suppressive tumour micro-environment. When a CAR-T cell attempts to enter the tumour, survive, and kill cancer cells, it can’t effectively because of this barrier.”

Phase one clinical trials are expected to begin in 2022.

A separate four-year Sponsored Research Agreement with City of Hope will allow for further development of the technology.

Ms Chong would not disclose the sum of the upfront payment or details of annual maintenance fees for the patents, milestone payments or royalty payments, other than to say the “royalties are low numbers”.

All upfront cash payments under the licence deal will be funded through Imugene’s existing cash.

As at December 31, the $1.58 billion company had cash reserves of $32.8 million, which will help support clinical trials.

Imugene’s most advanced therapy candidate is HER-Vaxx cancer immunotherapy in the phase two gastric cancer clinical trials designed to measure the efficacy, safety and immune response.