IMV Announces Research Collaboration with The Wistar Institute to Develop New Targeted Immunotherapy Against the Common BRAF ...
September 04 2019 - 7:05AM
Business Wire
IMV Inc. (Nasdaq: IMV; TSX: IMV), a clinical-stage
immuno-oncology company, today announced a collaboration with The
Wistar Institute and Meenhard Herlyn, D.V.M., D.Sc., professor in
the Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and director of
Wistar’s Melanoma Research Center.
Under this collaboration, IMV and The Wistar Institute will
partner to develop a targeted T cell therapy against the common
BRAF cancer mutation, based on peptides identified by the Herlyn
lab. Mutations in this gene are the most frequently identified
cancer-causing mutations in melanoma and have been identified in
various other cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal
cancer, thyroid cancer, and non-small cell lung and ovarian
carcinomas1.
“We are pleased to initiate this collaboration with The Wistar
Institute, a world leader in biomedical research and early-stage
discovery science with highly relevant expertise to our shared
goals in the development of novel treatments for cancer. In
particular, Dr. Herlyn has transformed the scientific understanding
of stem cells as they relate to cancer and his work in melanoma
serves as the basis for numerous therapies now in clinical trials
or recently approved,” said Frederic Ors, IMV’s Chief Executive
Officer. “We believe that cancer-driving mutations, like BRAF,
which are directly involved in malignant processes and do not
easily escape the immune system, represent an exciting new avenue
for targeted T cell therapies. We look forward to working with Dr.
Herlyn and his team, leveraging our DPX platform to explore the
therapeutic potential of this target in melanoma and other
cancers.”
“Small-molecule inhibitors of BRAF have shown to be very
effective targeted cancer therapies, but with limited long-term
benefit due to the onset of therapy resistance. Alternative
strategies with emerging therapeutic approaches are needed for the
successful long-term treatment of cancers with the BRAF mutation,”
said Dr. Herlyn. “Immunotherapy could provide a more effective
mechanism to target these mutations and we are excited to
collaborate with IMV, as its DPX technology enables us to develop
targeted T cell therapies aimed at BRAF to test and validate this
important hypothesis.”
The project scope includes optimizing the DPX formulation with
the BRAF peptides and testing the investigational T cell therapy in
the pioneering pre-clinical research models at Wistar. As part of
the collaboration agreement, IMV holds an exclusive option to
in-license intellectual property related to the program.
About IMV
IMV Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated
to making immunotherapy more effective, more broadly applicable,
and more widely available to people facing cancer and other serious
diseases. IMV is pioneering a new class of immunotherapies based on
the Company’s proprietary drug delivery platform. This patented
technology leverages a novel mechanism of action that enables the
programming of immune cells in vivo, which are aimed at generating
powerful new synthetic therapeutic capabilities. IMV’s lead
candidate, DPX-Survivac, is a T cell-activating immunotherapy that
combines the utility of the platform with a target: survivin. IMV
is currently assessing DPX-Survivac as a monotherapy in advanced
ovarian cancer, as well as a combination therapy in multiple
clinical studies with Merck. Connect at www.imv-inc.com.
About The Wistar Institute
The Wistar Institute is an international leader in biomedical
research with special expertise in cancer, immunology, infectious
disease research, and vaccine development. Founded in 1892 as the
first independent nonprofit biomedical research institute in the
United States, Wistar has held the prestigious Cancer Center
designation from the National Cancer Institute since 1972. The
Institute works actively to ensure that research advances move from
the laboratory to the clinic as quickly as possible. Wistar's
Business Development team is dedicated to advancing Wistar science
and technology development through creative partnerships.
wistar.org
IMV Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking information under
applicable securities law. All information that addresses
activities or developments that we expect to occur in the future is
forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based
on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the
statements are made. In the press release, such forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding
the FDA potentially granting accelerated regulatory approval of
DPX-Survivac. However, they should not be regarded as a
representation that any of the plans will be achieved. Actual
results may differ materially from those set forth in this press
release due to risks affecting the Corporation, including access to
capital, the successful design and completion of clinical trials
and the receipt and timely receipt of all regulatory approvals. IMV
Inc. assumes no responsibility to update forward-looking statements
in this press release except as required by law. These
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and
uncertainties and those risks and uncertainties include, but are
not limited to, our ability to access capital, the successful and
timely completion of clinical trials, the receipt of all regulatory
approvals and other risks detailed from time to time in our ongoing
quarterly filings and annual information form Investors are
cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements and are
encouraged to read IMV’s continuous disclosure documents, including
its current annual information form, as well as its audited annual
consolidated financial statements which are available on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.
1Targeting Oncogenic BRAF: Past, Present, and Future.
Zaman A. et al., Cancers (Basel). 2019 Aug 16;11(8).
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Investor Relations
Marc Jasmin, IMV Senior Director, Investor Relations O:
(902) 492-1819 ext : 1042 M: (514) 617-9481 E:
mjasmin@imv-inc.com
Josh Rappaport, Director, Stern IR O: (212) 362-1200 E:
josh.rappaport@sternir.com
Media
Mrs. Delphine Davan, IMV, Director of Communications O:
(902) 492-1819 E: ddavan@imv-inc.com
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