▎WuXiEdited by Kant Content Team

Recently, Immunocore announced a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb.Both will jointly study the efficacy and safety of Immunocore's off-the-shelf T cell receptor (TCR) bispecific therapy IMC-F106C in combination with PD-1 inhibitor Opdivo (nivolumab) for the first-line treatment of advanced melanoma.

The progression of many cancers and infectious diseases is often related to the inability of the immune system in the human body to mount an effective and specific attack against mutated tumor cells or infected cells. T cells, a crucial subset of immune cells, are responsible for carrying out such attacks; therefore, enhancing their function has become a key focus of current research and development efforts. Immunocore's proprietary ImmTAX (Immune Mobilizing Monoclonal TCRs Against X disease) platform can be used to develop bispecific molecules composed of TCRs and an effector functional component.By developing TCRs with high affinity, ImmTAX molecules can enhance the ability of T cells in patients to recognize and kill infected or tumor cells. Additionally, TCRs with high affinity also have the potential to specifically target the desired tissues and organs.

IMC-F106C is a bispecific protein developed through the ImmTAX platform, targeting the PRAME antigen.PRAME is a tumor-associated antigen highly expressed in melanoma cells.

▲ImmTAX PlatformThe design of TCR therapy mimics the natural TCR mechanism (Image source: Immunocore official website)

According to the cooperation agreement, Immunocore will be responsible for the funding required for the phase 3 clinical trial PRISM-MEL-301 of IMC-F106C in combination with Opdivo as a first-line treatment for advanced melanoma, and Bristol-Myers Squibb will be responsible for providing Opdivo.

The PRISM-MEL-301 trial will randomly assign HLA-A*02:01-positive patients with advanced melanoma to receive IMC-F106C + Opdivo, Opdivo alone, or Opdivo + relatlimab (LAG-3 Targeting Monoclonal Antibody) combination therapy, depending on the country and region where the patient is enrolled. Immunocore plans to administer the first patient dose in the first quarter of 2024.

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References:

[1] Immunocore announces clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb to evaluate IMC-F106C (PRAME HLA-A02) in combination with nivolumab in its registrational Phase 3 first-line advanced cutaneous melanoma trial. Retrieved February 23, 2024 from https://ir.immunocore.com/news-releases/news-release-details/immunocore-announces-clinical-trial-collaboration-and-supply

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