Innovent to Send the First-Ever SIRPa Targeting Antibody to Human Trials in China

China’s Innovent Biologics (Innovent) filed the country’s first Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for a SIRP-alpha antibody, IBI397 (AL008), on September 8th. 

The drug was developed by the US-based biotech Alector, and Innovent received regional rights to develop and commercialize AL008 for oncology indications in China in March 2020.

Dual Mechanism of AL008 

AL008 is an antibody that targets the CD47 and SIRPa pathway that tumors use to send out “don’t eat me signal” and trick the immune cells from attacking them. 

The drug has 2 functions to fight back cancer cells. First, it targets the CD47-SIRPa pathway to degrade the inhibitory receptor on macrophages, so the immune system won’t be suppressed while eliminating tumors. Next, it also binds to the Fc gamma receptor that can activate the immuno-stimulatory pathways to enhance the activity of anti-tumor immunity in humans.

Entering Clinical Trial Next

The antibody is currently in the preclinical stage, and according to Alector’s 2021 corporate portfolio update, Innovent and Alector are planning human trials for the drug in the near future.

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Author

Tyler Chen

"Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died."- Erma Bombeck