Immutep, Merck Germany Team Up for Eftilagimod/Bintrafusp Combo Trial In Solid Tumors

Immutep Limited IMMP has announced a new collaboration and supply agreement with Germany-based Merck KGaA MKGAF for a Phase 1/2a INSIGHT-005 trial in patients with solid tumors.
The trial will evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of Immutep’s lead product candidate, eftilagimod alpha (efti or IMP321), in combination with bintrafusp alfa (M7824).
Bintrafusp alfa is an investigational bifunctional fusion protein immunotherapy jointly developed by Merck Germany and GlaxoSmithKline Plc GSK.
Bintrafusp alfa aims to block two immunosuppressive pathways, TGF-β and PD-L1, while efti activates antigen-presenting cells via the LAG-3 – MHC II pathway.
The first patient will be enrolled in mid-2021, with the first data expected in early 2022.
Price Action: IMMP shares are up 7.3% at $5.4 during the premarket session on the last check Tuesday.