Immunocore and Lilly immunotherapy collaboration

An immunotherapy clinical trial collaboration is to be undertaken by Immunocore and Eli Lilly and Company, exploring the use of Immunocore’s lead T-cell receptor-based investigational therapeutic, IMCgp100, in combination with Lilly’s galunisertib (LY2157299) and merestinib (LY2801653), for the treatment of melanoma.

The companies aim to identify combination regimens that provide synergies in efficacy and durability in patients with metastatic cutaneous and uveal melanomas.

Anticipated to begin in 2016, Immunocore and Lilly will conduct a Phase Ib/II clinical study evaluating the safety and preliminary efficacy of IMCgp100 in combination with galunisertib in metastatic cutaneous melanoma. A second Phase Ib/II study will be conducted combining IMCgp100 with merestinib in metastatic uveal melanoma. Lilly will act as trial sponsor.

IMCgp100 and galunisertib are members of a new class of cancer treatments known as immunotherapies, designed to enhance the body’s own immune system in fighting cancer. IMCgp100 is Immunocore’s most advanced immune mobilising mTCR against cancer (ImmTAC) molecule, a novel class of bi-specific biologic drugs based on T-cell receptors (TCRs) with ultra-high affinity for intracellular and extracellular cancer targets.

Lilly’s galunisertib is a small molecule inhibitor of TGF beta R1 kinase that in vitro selectively blocks TGF beta signalling. TGF beta promotes tumour growth, suppresses the immune system and increases the ability of tumours to spread in the body. Merestinib is Lilly’s small molecule multi-kinase inhibitor that in vitro selectively blocks signaling of MET, MST1R (RON), AXL, and MKNK1/2.

“This collaboration with Immunocore underscores Lilly’s commitment to discovering the potential of combination therapies, which will be key to the future of cancer care for people fighting diseases such as melanoma,” said Richard Gaynor, M.D., senior vice president, product development and medical affairs for Lilly Oncology.

“We are very pleased to be able to announce a second collaboration with Lilly after entering into a collaboration last year,” said Eliot Forster, chief executive officer of Immunocore. “Combining our ImmTAC, IMCgp100, with Lilly’s galunisertib and merestinib has the potential to transform the treatment of metastatic cutaneous and uveal melanoma," said Eliot Forster, chief executive officer of Immunocore.