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- Immunotherapy: a molecule resulting from a pioneering technology co-invented by Institut Curie and Biomunex, licensed in Ipsen
Biomunex Pharmaceuticals, a long-standing partner of Institut Curie, and Ipsen, a global biopharmaceutical group focused on the development of innovative medicines, announced in December 2024 the conclusion of an exclusive global licensing agreement for BMX-502, Biomunex's first MAIT cell activator ("MAIT engager"). This new generation bispecific antibody, which could revolutionize the treatment of solid tumors, is based on a major discovery by Institut Curie and Biomunex, and embodies the results of several years of collaboration.
"We are delighted that we have signed this agreement, which constitutes a decisive step for the BMX-502 program, the first "MAIT engager", a new therapeutic class in immuno-oncology resulting from a collaboration between the laboratories of Institut Curie and Biomunex," declares Dr. Cécile Campagne, Director of Institut Curie’s Technology Transfer Office and Deputy Director of Carnot Curie Cancer. "This license agreement with Ipsen, a leading global player in oncology, illustrates not only the relevance of this technology, but also that of our technology transfer strategy. Supported by the Carnot label of excellence, it allows us to identify, develop, and transform scientific advances into disruptive therapies that meet the needs of our patients."
BMX-502 is a bispecific antibody that engages and activates MAIT cells (or " Mucosal Associated Invariant T-cells ") and which targets the GPC3 tumor antigen - a clinically validated target, strongly expressed in several types of cancer - to destroy tumor cells. This drug candidate is distinguished by its potential to effectively treat tumors, in particular localized in mucous and barrier tissues, where MAIT cells are particularly abundant. Developed thanks to Biomunex's proprietary BiXAb technology1 , the BMX-502 selectively engages MAIT, relying on their unique properties to maximize antitumor activity.
A success story resulting from the partnership of Institut Curie with Biomunex
The redirection of immune cells has led to significant advances in immunotherapy. Although applicable to a wide variety of cancers, the T cell engagement approach (or "T cell engagers") has many limitations: in particular, the cytokine release syndrome2 , a "dose-limiting" toxicity3 and reduced effectiveness against solid tumors.
In recent years, the French biopharma Biomunex and Institut Curie - via its Cancer Immunotherapy Center directed by Dr. Sebastian Amigorena, and its Clinical Immunology Laboratory directed by Dr. Olivier Lantz - have set up several partnerships to overcome these limitations, using the unique properties of MAIT cells. Identified and described for the first time in 1999 by Dr. Lantz, MAIT cells are a subpopulation of unconventional T lymphocytes present throughout the body, and capable of proliferating, migrating and infiltrating solid tumors.
The collaboration between Institut Curie and Biomunex has made it possible to highlight a novel therapeutic approach based on these unique properties: the redirection of MAIT cells to eliminate cancer cells, thanks to a new class of antibodies, the " MAIT engagers". Thus, the filing in January 2020 of a family of co-owned principle patents made it possible to protect several bi- and multi-specific antibodies, which bind to both MAIT cells and tumor cells. In March 2024, the partners strengthened their strategic collaboration: Biomunex signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Institut Curie for this family of patents, for the clinical development of innovative bispecific antibodies capable of mobilizing MAIT cells in order to destroy cancer cells.
One step closer to the market for this disruptive innovation
The signing of this exclusive global licensing agreement between Ipsen, a global biopharmaceutical group focused on the development of innovative medicines, and Biomunex Pharmaceuticals, a long-standing partner of Institut Curie, will accelerate the launch of BMX-502 on the market. In practice, the agreement will allow Biomunex to finalize the studies necessary for clinical study authorization in the United States. For its part, Ipsen will take charge of the preparation of Phase I and future clinical development and global commercialization activities.
"As we continue to develop Ipsen's R&D portfolio by prioritizing science in our partnership activities within our ecosystem, we are convinced that the BMX-502 is a promising program, potentially first in its therapeutic class for the treatment of solid tumors," declares Mary Jane Hinrichs, Senior Vice President and Director of Preclinical Development at Ipsen. "This new MAIT engager program will enrich our existing TCE portfolio at a time when we are developing the new generation of T-cell engagers to meet the therapeutic challenges we face, in particular dose-limiting toxicity; our goal is to bring new disruptive drugs to patients with solid tumors around the world."
"This agreement with a company as innovative in oncology as Ipsen is proof of the relevance of the approach of the MAIT engagers of Biomunex, the first company in the world to have identified the strong therapeutic potential of MAIT cells for the treatment of cancer. It also testifies to the added value of our BiXAb platform, one of the best in its category, capable of quickly generating innovative and promising bispecific antibodies. We are convinced that the MAIT engagers represent a real breakthrough in the development of breakthrough immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. We are looking forward to starting and supporting the development of the BMX-502 alongside Ipsen," adds Dr. Pierre-Emmanuel Gerard, Founder, Chairman, and General Director of Biomunex.
Read the press release from Biomunex and Ipsen
[1] Biomunex specializes in the development of innovative therapies through the discovery and development of bi- and multi-specific antibodies in order to treat cancer.
[2] Cytokine release syndrome can cause a variety of symptoms ranging from fever to flu-like symptoms or serious life-threatening signs.
[3] The drug dose induces significant toxicities that limit the increase in the dose in a patient.
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