Ipsen finds a MAIT in Biomunex

GPC3 is a hot target, but Ipsen thinks it’s found a way to stand out. On Tuesday the French group licensed Biomunex’s preclinical T-cell engager BMX-502, whose unique selling point is that it claims to recruit a subset of so-called mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. The companies hope this could address problems with regular T-cell engagers, including cytokine release syndrome and activation of immune-suppressing T regulatory cells; however, they are some way off proving this. A spokesperson for Ipsen, which will be in charge of phase 1 preparation activities, wouldn’t say when the project might enter the clinic. The up-front fee was also undisclosed, but the deal could total $610m, including milestones. Various other GPC3 bispecifics are already ahead, according to OncologyPipeline, and AstraZeneca recently disclosed a CD8-guided T-cell engager, AZD9793, which it reckons could be better than conventional formats. Ipsen itself might already be looking at GPC3, via an ADC licensed from Foreseen Biotechnology in July. However, the main excitement around this target has come via Car-T, notably AbelZeta's C-CAR031 and AstraZeneca’s AZD5851. Ipsen’s other deals this year include a tie-up with Day One, a move into ROR1, and a research collaboration with Marengo. Anti-GPC3 bispecifics in developmentProjectDescriptionCompanyStatusBOS-342Anti-GPC3 x 4-1BB bispecific MAbBoston Pharmaceuticals (via Pieris)Australia ph1/2 in HCCCM350Anti-GPC3 x CD3 bispecific MAbKeymed BiosciencesChina ph1/2 in solid tumours, completes Mar 2025CMD011Anti-GPC3 x CD3 bispecific MAbZhejiang Shimai PharmaceuticalChina ph1/2 in HCCBGB-B2033Anti-GPC3 x 4-1BB bispecific MAbBeiGeneGlobal ph1 in solid tumours, completes Oct 2026ERY974Anti-GPC3 x CD3 bispecific MAbChugaiJapan ph1 in solid tumoursNY-303Anti-GPC3 x NKp46 bispecific MAbNAYA BiosciencesIsraeli ph1/2 in HCC to begin early 2025ABP-110Anti-GPC3 x CD3 bispecific MAbAbproPreclinical; expected to enter clinic in H2 2026BMX-502Anti-GPC3 x MAIT-cell engager MAbBiomunex/IpsenPreclinical; Ipsen licensed Dec 2024AZD9793Anti-GPC3 x CD3 bispecific MAb (CD8 guided)AstraZenecaPreclinical; disclosed Sep 2024NILK-2501Anti-GPC3 x CD3 bispecific MAbLamKap BioPreclinicalNILK-3801Anti-GPC3 x CD28 bispecific MAbLamKap BioPreclinicalSource: OncologyPipeline.