Immunic, Inc. Announces Enrollment of the First Patient in its Phase 1 Trial of IMU-935 in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Immunic, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMUX) announced the enrollment of the first patient in an open-label phase 1 trial for IMU-935, a selective inverse agonist targeting metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Approved by UK regulatory bodies, the trial aims to evaluate safety, tolerability, and anti-tumor activity in 18-24 patients over three cycles. Initial clinical data is anticipated in Q3 2022. Preclinical data suggests IMU-935 could suppress drivers of CRPC, highlighting its potential as a treatment option for this challenging cancer.
- Enrollment of the first patient in the IMU-935 trial signifies progress in addressing a critical therapeutic need in mCRPC.
- IMU-935 shows promising preclinical data suggesting it may inhibit drivers of CRPC.
- None.
NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunic, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMUX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of selective oral immunology therapies focused on treating chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, today announced enrollment of the first patient in its open-label phase 1 trial of IMU-935, a highly potent and selective inverse agonist of the transcription factor RORγt, in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
The trial's Principal Investigator is Johann Sebastian de Bono, M.D., Ph.D., Regius Professor of Cancer Research and Professor in Experimental Cancer Medicine, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London. The trial has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Research Ethics Committee (REC) and the Health Research Authority (HRA) in the United Kingdom.
"After receiving available established treatments, many of which are being given soon after diagnosis, few effective treatments remain for men suffering from mCRPC with this disease being invariably fatal. There is therefore an urgent need to find alternative therapeutic options," stated Professor de Bono. "Preclinical data indicate that IMU-935 may suppress the expression of the mutated AR-V7 receptor, which is a hallmark and progression driver of CRPC. In addition, by repressing pro-tumorigenic Th17 cells and IL-17 cytokines, IMU-935 may further impact tumor growth. I look forward to exploring the anticancer activity of this agent against mCRPC."
"As one of world's leading experts on the subject of castration-resistant prostate cancer, Professor de Bono's expertise and deep understanding of the unique mechanism of action of IMU-935 provides important corroboration of this key pipeline program within the scientific and clinical communities," noted Daniel Vitt, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Immunic. "Based on the compelling preclinical data highlighting the therapeutic potential of IMU-935 to affect mCRPC, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men, we recognize the potential importance of this program. We are pleased to have enrolled the first patient on plan and look forward to continuing to progress the trial."
The phase 1 trial is structured in two portions: a dose-escalation part and an optional expansion part. A total of between 18 and 24 patients are planned to be enrolled in the dose-escalation part at three dose levels of IMU-935 to be given for three cycles of 28 days each. At each of the three dose levels, a safety analysis after 28 days and an interim analysis after three months of treatment will be performed. The main analysis for this trial is planned after the last patient has received six months of study treatment. The primary objective is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of increasing doses of IMU-935 to establish the maximum tolerated dose and the recommended phase 2 dose. The trial will also evaluate the anti-tumor activity of IMU-935 by means of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, circulating tumor cell (CTC) numbers, and radiographic response assessments of tumor progression. Patients who receive a benefit from IMU-935 will have the option to continue treatment until progression. Following completion of all dose-escalation cohorts, an expansion cohort at one or two therapeutically active dose levels with up to 18 additional patients may be performed to support selection of a recommended phase 2 dose. Initial clinical data is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2022.
The company also re-iterates its prior guidance that data from the multiple ascending dose part of the ongoing phase 1 trial of IMU-935 is expected in the fourth quarter of 2021, with initial clinical data in psoriasis expected in the second quarter of 2022, and that regarding vidofludimus calcium (IMU-838), phase 2 top-line data in ulcerative colitis is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2022.
For more information on the phase 1 clinical trial of IMU-935 in mCRPC, please visit: www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05124795.
About Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a form of advanced prostate cancer. Approximately 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States, with roughly 40,000 cases progressing to CRPC. Because early stages of prostate cancer rely on testosterone to grow, approaches to lower testosterone can be employed therapeutically. With CRPC, the cancer no longer completely responds to treatments that lower testosterone, significantly limiting available treatment options in these patients. Common sites of metastasis are lymph nodes, bones, bladder, rectum, lung, or liver. Although metastatic CRPC may be asymptomatic, typical signs/symptoms include problems urinating, pain while passing urine or blood in the urine, tiredness, weakness, weight loss, shortness of breath, or bone pain. The main goal in treating metastatic CRPC is to control symptoms and slow progression.
About IMU-935
IMU-935 is a highly potent and selective inverse agonist of RORγt (retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma truncated) with additional activity on DHODH (dihydroorotate dehydrogenase). The nuclear receptor RORγt is believed to be the main driver for the differentiation of Th17 cells and the expression of cytokines involved in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This target is believed to be an attractive alternative to approved antibodies for targets such as IL-23, IL-17 receptor and IL-17, itself. IMU-935 shows strong cytokine inhibition targeting both Th17 and Th1 responses in preclinical testing, as well as indications of activity in animal models for psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. Preclinical experiments indicate that, while leading to a potent inhibition of Th17 differentiation and cytokine secretion, IMU-935 did not affect thymocyte maturation. IMU-935 is an investigational drug product that has not been approved in any jurisdiction.
About Immunic, Inc.
Immunic, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMUX) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a pipeline of selective oral immunology therapies focused on treating chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The company is developing three small molecule products: its lead development program, vidofludimus calcium (IMU-838), a selective immune modulator that inhibits the intracellular metabolism of activated immune cells by blocking the enzyme DHODH and exhibits a host-based antiviral effect, is currently being developed as a treatment option for multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. IMU-935, a selective inverse agonist of the transcription factor RORγt, is targeted for development in psoriasis, castration-resistant prostate cancer and Guillain-Barré syndrome. IMU-856, which targets the restoration of the intestinal barrier function, is targeted for development in diseases involving bowel barrier dysfunction. For further information, please visit: www.imux.com.
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