• The IPH5201 Phase I clinical trial is backed by positive pre-clinical results shown at the SITC
• AstraZeneca, the company’s partner, is the sponsor of the clinical study in solid tumors

A commercial stage oncology-focused biotech company, Innate Pharma SA recently announced to have dosed first patient in a clinical trial evaluating an anti-CD39 blocking monoclonal antibody (IPH5201) in adult patients with advanced solid tumors.

The study, which is sponsored by AstraZeneca is initiated with the purpose to assess IPH5201 as monotherapy as well as in combination with anti-PD-L1 durvalumab with or without oleclumab, an anti-CD73 monoclonal antibody.

The IPH5201 Phase I clinical trial is backed by positive pre-clinical results shown at the SITC (Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer) 2019 Congress, which established that blocking the monoclonal antibody, CD39, in combination with PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors results in improved anti-tumor effectiveness over PD-L1 by itself and validates the basis for evaluating this combination in clinical trials.

The pre-clinical data recently published by Innate Pharma also demonstrates the rationale to further evaluate the combination of CD73 blockade and CD39 in cancer indications, due to their potential combination effect for anti-tumor response. CD39 blockade prevents formation of immunosuppressive adenosine and also aids in accumulation of immunostimulatory ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The adenosine pathway is vastly recognized as critical in tumor immunosuppression.

Pierre Dodion, CMO, Innate Pharma was reported to state that the team is exhilarated that the IPH5201 clinical study has been initiated. The blockade of CD39 embodies a differentiated approach to possibly reverse immunosuppression that adenosine mediates in the cancer microenvironment. The potential of IPH5201 to control immune responses makes it a unique molecule to be investigated for the treatment of solid tumors, mainly in combination with other therapies.

Dodion added that AstraZeneca is a valuable partner for the company, given their expertise in the adenosine pathway and leadership in the field. He further stated that the team at Innate Pharma is excited to see its first molecule progressing to the clinic from a multi-faceted partnership, enabling to accelerate the firm’s strategy and advanced immuno-oncology portfolio.

Source Credit: https://www.innate-pharma.com/en/news-events/press-releases/first-patient-dosed-iph5201-phase-i-clinical-trial-advanced-solid-tumors