Ipsen And Biomunex Join Forces For Immuno-Oncology Therapy

Ipsen and Biomunex Pharmaceuticals have entered a global licensing deal for BMX-502, a new bispecific antibody designed to fight cancer. BMX-502 works by activating a special type of immune cells called MAIT (Mucosal-Associated Invariant T) cells and targeting the GPC3 tumour antigen, a protein commonly found in several cancers. MAIT cells are abundant in mucosal and barrier tissues, making BMX-502 particularly effective for tumours in these areas.

Built using Biomunex's advanced BiXAb technology, BMX-502 takes advantage of MAIT cells' unique properties to enhance cancer-fighting capabilities. Unlike traditional therapies that activate all T cells and may cause severe side effects such as cytokine release syndrome, BMX-502 focuses on MAIT cells to reduce risks and improve patient outcomes. This targeted approach could offer a safer and more effective treatment option for certain cancers.

Mary Jane Hinrichs, SVP and Head of Early Development at Ipsen, said in a statement, “As we continue to grow Ipsen’s pipeline using a science-first approach to partnering across the ecosystem, we believe BMX-502 is a strong addition with first-in-class potential in solid tumors." This new MAIT-engager program will complement our existing TCE portfolio as we harness the next-generation of T cell engagers to overcome treatment challenges, including dose-limiting toxicity, to bring transformational new medicines to people living with solid tumours around the world.”

Dr. Pierre-Emmanuel Gerard, founder, President, and CEO of Biomunex, also added, “This agreement with such an innovative oncology company as Ipsen is proof of the relevance of the MAIT-engager approach of Biomunex, the first company worldwide to have identified the high therapeutic potential of MAIT cells in cancer treatment. It also represents the demonstration of the added value of our best-in-class BiXAb platform to rapidly generate innovative and promising bispecific antibodies. We are convinced that our MAIT engagers will represent a new step forward in the development of disruptive immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. We look forward to initiating and supporting the development of BMX-502 alongside Ipsen.”

Under the agreement, Biomunex will handle early-stage development tasks to prepare BMX-502 for clinical trials. Ipsen will then take over, managing the Phase I trial preparations, submitting the Investigational New Drug (IND) application, and leading the drug’s clinical development and worldwide commercialization. Biomunex could earn up to $610 million through upfront payments and milestone achievements in development, regulatory approval, and commercialisation, along with tiered royalties from global sales.