IGM Biosciences and ADC Therapeutics tie-up targets non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
The tie-up will evaluate imvotamab, IGM’s IgM CD20 x CD3 T cell engaging bispecific antibody, and ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl), ADC Therapeutics’ CD19-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC).
“Patients with B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are in need of efficacious and well-tolerated treatments,” said Chris Takimoto, chief medical officer, IGM Biosciences.
Under the terms of the agreement, IGM will be responsible for conducting clinical testing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of imvotamab in combination with ZYNLONTA for the treatment of patients with R/R NHL. ADC Therapeutics will provide clinical expertise on its ADC as well as drug supply to support the trial.
Clinical testing is set to start in Q1 2023.
“This collaboration extends ADC Therapeutics’ commitment to maximizing the potential of our CD19-directed ADC for patients with significant unmet medical needs, both as a single agent and in novel combinations with other anti-cancer agents. The safety profile of imvotamab and the activity observed so far in Phase 1 are highly promising for future development,” commented Joseph Camardo, chief medical officer, ADC Therapeutics.
Supporting data
In data previously reported at the 2021 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, IGM said imvotamab showed a 50% complete response (CR) rate at the likely optimal 100 mg dose. Of the 28 patients treated in the titration dosing cohorts at that time, cytokine release syndrome was seen in less than 20% of patients, it confirmed.
Imvotamab is currently being studied in two Phase 2 trials to assess the safety and efficacy of two doses 100 mg and 300 mg, in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL).
ZYNLONTA is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large b-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy. The ADC is also in development in combination with other agents.
