PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Immune-Onc Therapeutics, Inc. (“Immune-Onc”), a private, clinical-stage cancer immunotherapy company developing novel biotherapeutics targeting myeloid checkpoints, today announced the selection of IO-106, a first-in-class myeloid and stromal checkpoint inhibitor targeting the inhibitory receptor, Leukocyte‐Associated Immunoglobulin‐Like Receptor 1 (LAIR1), for clinical development. The Company will present a scientific poster on the therapeutic potential of anti-LAIR1 antibodies at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Tumor Immune Microenvironment: A Holistic Approach Workshop on April 21st in San Diego, CA.
LAIR1 is an immune inhibitory receptor expressed on lymphocytes and myeloid cells that correlates with worse survival in several cancers. LAIR1 is activated by collagen which is highly abundant in the stroma of many solid tumor types and is thought to contribute to immune suppression. The data being presented suggest that LAIR1 antagonist antibodies reverse collagen-mediated immune suppression on T cells and myeloid cells in the solid tumor microenvironment, thereby promoting anti-tumor immunity.
“IO-106 is now the third clinical candidate in our pipeline and a testament to the depth and rigor of our science,” said Charlene Liao, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Immune-Onc. “Immune-Onc was founded on groundbreaking science that first illuminated the role of the previously unexplored LILRB family of myeloid checkpoints in cancer. This research has rapidly advanced a completely new field of study and class of cancer immunotherapy that goes beyond T cells to overcome immune resistance and the limitations of current treatment options. We are very excited about potential development opportunities for IO-106 and look forward to sharing our progress in the near future.”
ABOUT LAIR1
LAIR1 is an immune inhibitory receptor of the Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor subfamily B (LILRB) and is expressed on lymphocytes and myeloid cells. Research shows that LAIR1 expression correlates with worse survival in several cancers. LAIR1 is activated by collagen, which is highly abundant in the stroma of many solid tumor types and is thought to contribute to immune suppression. LAIR1 is being targeted as a myeloid and stromal checkpoint in cancer immunotherapy.
ABOUT IO-106
IO-106 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that antagonizes LAIR1. It has broad potential in collagen-rich solid tumors and could be a candidate for combination therapy with PD-1 inhibitors and other immunotherapies. Preclinical research shows that IO-106 can reverse collagen-mediated immune suppression and mobilize anti-tumor immunity of multiple cell types including lymphocytes and myeloid cells. IO-106 entered into Investigational New Drug application (IND)-enabling studies with targeted IND submission in 1H2023.
ABOUT IMMUNE-ONC THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Immune-Onc Therapeutics, Inc. (“Immune-Onc”) is a private, clinical-stage cancer immunotherapy company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel myeloid checkpoint inhibitors for cancer patients. The company aims to translate unique scientific insights in myeloid cell biology and immune inhibitory receptors to discover and develop first-in-class biotherapeutics that disarm immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment.
Immune-Onc has a differentiated pipeline with a current focus on targeting the Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor subfamily B (LILRB) of myeloid checkpoints. Immune-Onc’s focused platform approach has led to the development of several promising therapeutics across various stages of development, including IO-108, an antagonist antibody targeting LILRB2 (also known as ILT4), in Phase 1 clinical development for solid tumors and IO-202, a first-in-class antagonist antibody targeting LILRB4 (also known as ILT3), in Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), and solid tumors. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted IO-202 Orphan Drug Designation for treatment of AML in 2020 and Fast Track Designation for treatment of relapsed or refractory AML in 2022. Additional assets in Immune-Onc’s pipeline include IO-106, a first-in-class antagonist antibody targeting LAIR1 for collagen-rich solid tumors, and multiple undisclosed programs for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.
The company has strategic research collaborations with The University of Texas, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and has invested in proprietary models, assays, and tools to interrogate the biology and translate this cutting-edge research into the development of novel therapies. Immune-Onc has received research grants from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and a strategic investment from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Therapy Acceleration Program® (LLS TAP®). Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Immune-Onc has assembled a diverse team with deep expertise in drug development and proven track records of success at leading biotechnology companies. For more information, please visit www.immune-onc.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
