Ipsen Bets $600M on Biomunex’s First-in-Class T-Cell Engager BMX-502

Ipsen has signed an exclusive global licensing agreement with Biomunex Pharmaceuticals. The deal, valued at over $600 million, grants Ipsen the rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize BMX-502. This preclinical, first-in-class T-cell engager (TCE) is a bispecific antibody that engages MAIT cells, a subset of non-conventional T cells, and targets the tumor antigen GPC3. Consequently, BMX-502 has the potential to enhance cancer immunotherapy.

Ipsen Secures $600M Global Licensing Deal for Biomunex’s Cancer Immunotherapy BMX-502

Ipsen continues its oncology deal-making momentum with an exclusive global licensing agreement valued at over $600 million for Biomunex Pharmaceuticals’ promising cancer immunotherapy, BMX-502.

This preclinical-stage T-cell engager targets cancer cells through a unique mechanism involving mucosal-associated invariant T-cells (MAIT cells). Ipsen highlighted that this approach could prove particularly effective for treating tumors in mucosal and barrier tissues, where these specialized immune cells are naturally abundant.

“This new MAIT-engager programme will complement our existing TCE portfolio as we harness the next generation of T-cell engagers to overcome treatment challenges, including dose-limiting toxicity,” said Mary Jane Hinrichs, head of early development at Ipsen.

Under the agreement, Biomunex will complete the preclinical development package for BMX-502 before Ipsen takes over Phase I preparation, clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Biomunex stands to receive up to $610 million, including upfront and milestone payments, along with tiered sales royalties.

“We are convinced that our MAIT engagers will represent a new step forward in the development of disruptive immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer,” stated Biomunex CEO Pierre-Emmanuel Gerard. He added that the agreement underscores the value of their BiXAb platform in designing promising bispecific antibodies. Consequently, this partnership is set to advance novel cancer therapies.

BMX-502: A Bispecific Antibody Targeting GPC3 and MAIT Cells for Tumors in Mucosal and Barrier Tissues

BMX-502 is a bispecific antibody that activates Mucosal-Associated Invariant T cells (MAIT cells) to target and kill cancer cells. It focuses on GPC3, a tumor antigen highly expressed in several cancers. MAIT cells are abundant in mucosal and barrier tissues, making BMX-502 a promising option for treating tumors in these areas.

Developed using Biomunex’s proprietary BiXAb technology, BMX-502 enhances anti-tumor activity by selectively engaging MAIT cells. This approach aims to overcome challenges faced by pan-T cell engager therapies, such as activating regulatory T cells and causing cytokine release syndrome. Consequently, MAIT engagers could offer a better therapeutic window for specific tumor types.

Ipsen Strengthens Oncology Pipeline with $1B+ in Deals for ADCs, T-Cell Engagers, and FDA Approved Glioma Treatment

Earlier this year, Ipsen expanded its oncology portfolio with several strategic licensing agreements. The French drugmaker entered the ADC space through a deal with Sutro Biopharma, valued at up to $900 million. This partnership adds Sutro’s STRO-003, which targets the ROR1 tumor antigen, to Ipsen’s pipeline. Mary Jane Hinrichs, head of early development at Ipsen, highlighted STRO-003’s “best-in-class potential.”

The company also expanded its oncology collaboration with Marengo Therapeutics, adding more than $1 billion in potential milestones. The agreement focuses on Marengo’s TriSTAR T-cell engager (TCE) technology, which aims to reactivate selective Vβ T-cells to boost antitumor activity in traditionally hard-to-treat ‘cold’ tumors. David Jenkins, SVP of research and external innovation at Ipsen, noted that TriSTAR has “the potential to unlock the power of the immune system.”

In another significant move, Ipsen secured a global licensing deal worth up to $1.03 billion with Foreseen Biotechnology for FS-001, an ADC with first-in-class potential. FS-001 targets a novel tumor-associated antigen overexpressed in many solid tumors, playing a key role in tumor proliferation and metastasis.

Additionally, Ipsen acquired ex-U.S. regulatory and commercial rights to tovorafenib (OJEMDA) for pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG), a common childhood brain tumor. Following its FDA approval for relapsed or refractory pLGG, tovorafenib is being evaluated in the ongoing Phase III FIREFLY-2 trial for newly diagnosed children and young adults with RAF-altered low-grade glioma. The deal with Day One Biopharmaceuticals includes an upfront payment of approximately $111 million, with up to $350 million in milestone payments and double-digit tiered royalties.

Author

Bernice Lottering