IGM Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: IGMS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on creating and developing IgM antibodies, and ADC Therapeutics SA (NYSE: ADCT) today announced that they have entered into a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement to evaluate the combination of imvotamab, IGM’s novel IgM CD20 x CD3 T cell engaging bispecific antibody, and ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl), ADC Therapeutics’ CD19-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC), for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).
“Patients with B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are in need of efficacious and well-tolerated treatments,” said Chris Takimoto, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P., Chief Medical Officer of IGM Biosciences. “We are excited to enter this collaboration with ADC Therapeutics that aims to provide a novel combination regimen targeting both CD19- and CD20-expressing cells for patients with relapsed/refractory B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. We look forward to working with the team at ADC Therapeutics and initiating clinical testing in the first quarter of 2023.”
In data previously reported at the 2021 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, imvotamabshowed a 50% complete response (CR) rate at the likely optimal 100 mg dose (n=10). Of the 28 patients treated in the titration dosing cohorts at that time, cytokine release syndrome was seen in <20% of patients.
“We are pleased to collaborate with IGM Biosciences to explore ZYNLONTA in combination with imvotamab,” said Joseph Camardo, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of ADC Therapeutics. “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.”
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 ZYNLONTA as well as drug supply to support the trial. IGM expects to initiate the trial in the first quarter of 2023. The clinical collaboration is based on compelling mechanistic rationale and preclinical data showing strong activity of this approach.