Immutep and Eddingpharm sign agreement for development of ImmuFact® IMP321 in China

Immutep SA, the biopharmaceutical company specialising in immuno-oncology, and Eddingpharm have entered into an agreement regarding the development, commercialisation and manufacturing of Immutep’s ImmuFact® IMP321. Financial details are undisclosed but include milestone payments and royalties. Burrill Securities acted as financial advisor on this transaction.

The agreement grants Eddingpharm exclusive rights to develop and market IMP321 in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Immutep will provide full technical support for the development of the product. Immutep and Eddingpharm plan to develop the product for first-line metastatic breast cancer as well as other first-line metastatic indications.

Like the checkpoint inhibitors that induce tumour regression and extend survival, antigen presenting cell (APC) activators increase the T cell response against tumours by a different but complementary mechanism, which enhances antigen presentation to T cells. IMP321 (a first-in-class APC activator) can be used in combination with first-line chemotherapy or in combination with checkpoint inhibitors.

"We have been very impressed by the dynamic and innovative approach of Eddingpharm, and believe them to have the capability of driving the development of IMP321 in China,” said John Hawken, CEO. “Immutep is continuing the development of IMP321 in Europe and the USA. We are in partnering discussions at present.”

“We are excited to be entering the new field of immuno-oncology. We believe that immuno-oncology will revolutionise cancer treatment," said Xin Ni, Chairman and CEO of Eddingpharm. "Our priority is bringing new and effective treatments to patients. We look forward to working closely with Immutep to develop IMP321 in first-line metastatic breast cancer as well as other first-line metastatic indications.”