Hopes dim for Innate’s NK-cell engagers
Innate Pharma has already lost Sanofi as a partner for some of its NK-cell engager projects, and now things are looking grim for the entire platform. In its second-quarter results release Innate said it was prioritising the ADC IPH4502, and the naked MAbs lacutamab and monalizumab, while cutting 30% of its workforce. Preclinical research will focus on ADCs, with no mention here of the NK-cell engagers. As for what was Innate’s lead NK project, the CD20-targeting IPH6501, the group noted “limited signals of activity” during dose escalation in a phase 1/2 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma trial, and is now exploring the maximum-tolerated dose. Data are due in late 2025 or early 2026, so it will be a while until investors get to see these results for themselves. IPH6501 is wholly owned, and Sanofi recently ended its involvement in a separate anti-CD123 asset, IPH6101, while the Sanofi-partnered BCMA-targeting IPH6401 is now focused on autoimmune disease. Sanofi is still involved with the preclinical B7-H3-targeting IPH6401, as well as retaining an option over one additional NK target, but hopes cannot be high. This is the latest blow to the NK-cell engager field after another player, Affimed, filed for insolvency in May.
Innate Pharma’s pipeline
| Project | Description | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monalizumab | Anti-NKG2A MAb | Ph3 Pacific-9, + Imfinzi in stage III NSCLC maintenance | “High-value asset”; partnered with AstraZeneca; data due H2 2026 |
| Lacutamab | Anti-KIR3DL2 MAb | Ph2 Tellomak in Sezary syndrome and mycosis fungoides | “High-value asset”; confirmatory ph3 trial protocol “close to completion”; Innate looking for partner |
| IPH4502 | Anti-Nectin-4 ADC | Ph1 in solid tumours | “High-value asset”; enrolment to complete late 2025/early 2026 |
| IPH5201 | Anti-CD39 MAb | Ph2 Matisse + Imfinzi in (neo)adjuvant NSCLC | Partnered with AstraZeneca; recruitment “on track” |
| IPH5301 | Anti-CD73 MAb | Ph1 Chances in solid tumours | Investigator-sponsored trial |
| IPH6501 | Anti-CD20 x IL-2v NK cell engager | Ph1/2 in NHL | “Limited signals of activity” seen during dose escalation, maximum tolerated dose being explored; data due late 2025/early 2026 |
| IPH6401 (SAR445514) | Anti-BCMA NK cell engager | Ph1/2 in r/r MM | Sanofi partnered under 2016 deal; trial terminated early; focus now on autoimmune disease |
| IPH6101 (SAR443579) | Anti-CD123 NK cell engager | Ph1/2 in haematologic malignancies | Sanofi partnered under 2016 deal; Sanofi returned rights Apr 2025 |
| IPH62 | Anti-B7-H3 NK cell engager | Preclinical | Sanofi partnered under 2022 deal expansion |
| IPH67 | NK-cell engager, target undisclosed | Preclinical | Sanofi partnered under 2023 deal expansion (assumed); Sanofi returned rights Oct 2024 |
Source: OncologyPipeline & H1 2025 earnings release.
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