Immutep, Charles River Labs Partner for IMP761’s GLP Tox Study

Immutep Limited, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel LAG-3 immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune disease, has entered into an agreement with Charles River, under which Charles River will conduct a GLP toxicology study for IMP761, Immutep’s preclinical candidate for autoimmune diseases.

IMP761 is a first-in-class LAG-3 agonist antibody that aims to address the underlying cause of many autoimmune diseases, namely the overactivation of self-antigen-specific memory T cells expressing LAG-3. IMP761’s agonistic activation of LAG-3 is relevant for many diseases, including the Th1-driven autoimmune disease setting.

Preclinical toxicology studies are an essential part of drug development as they help to evaluate the potential safety and toxicity of a drug candidate before it is tested in humans. With its well-established expertise assisting companies in early-stage drug development, Immutep said that Charles River is the partner of choice to help progress its IMP761 program through this key stage of IND-enabling studies.

“Immutep is continuing its pioneering work in the LAG-3 immunotherapy landscape, as we advance IMP761, the world’s first LAG-3 agonist antibody, towards the clinic in the first half of next year,” said Immutep’s chief scientific officer, Frédéric Triebel. “With its novel ability to enhance the signaling of the LAG-3 inhibitory receptor and down-regulate auto-reactive memory T cells at the center of many autoimmune diseases, we believe IMP761 has the potential to change how immune disorders are treated. We are pleased to be working with an established global company like Charles River for this next important step of our pre-clinical development.”

The GLP toxicology results and other preclinical studies will be an essential part of the company’s clinical trial application for IMP761.