Innate Pharma Reclaims CD123 ANKET® Rights, Sanofi Plans Strategic Investment
Innate Pharma SA (Euronext Paris: IPH; Nasdaq: IPHA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in immunotherapies for cancer, has announced significant developments in its collaboration with Sanofi. The companies have mutually agreed to terminate the 2016 Research Collaboration and License Agreement concerning SAR’579/IPH6101, a CD123-targeting NK cell engager (ANKET®). As a result, Innate Pharma will regain full rights to this asset, enabling it to independently advance SAR’579/IPH6101 in oncology.
Strategic Shift and Asset Reallocation
Sanofi has opted to focus its development efforts on SAR’514/IPH6401, a BCMA-targeting NK cell engager, for autoimmune indications, aligning with its current strategic priorities. Consequently, the companies have agreed to terminate the 2016 Agreement concerning SAR’579/IPH6101, allowing Innate Pharma to regain its rights to this asset. This move reflects a strategic reallocation of resources to align with each company’s evolving research and development goals.
Sanofi’s Strategic Investment in Innate Pharma
In conjunction with the asset reallocation, Sanofi has expressed its intention to make a strategic investment of up to €15 million in new shares of Innate Pharma. The size and price of this equity investment will be determined based on ongoing market conditions, subject to satisfactory terms. This investment underscores Sanofi’s continued confidence in Innate Pharma’s innovative approach and the potential of its ANKET® platform.
Advancements in SAR’579/IPH6101 Development
SAR’579/IPH6101 is a first-in-class NKp46/CD16-based NK cell engager targeting CD123, developed under the ANKET® platform. The Phase 1/2 clinical trial, led by Sanofi, has demonstrated promising results in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML), B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (HR-MDS). Notably, five complete responses, including four complete remissions (CR) and one complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi), were observed at a dose of 1 mg/kg, with durable CRs lasting over 10 months in three patients
Following these encouraging findings, the trial has progressed to the Phase 2 dose expansion stage, marking a significant milestone in the development of SAR’579/IPH6101. Innate Pharma plans to continue advancing this asset in oncology, leveraging its regained rights to drive the program forward independently.
Continued Collaboration in NK Cell Engager Development
Despite the termination of the 2016 Agreement concerning SAR’579/IPH6101, Innate Pharma and Sanofi remain committed to their ongoing collaboration in the development of NK cell engagers. Under the 2022 research collaboration and license agreement, Sanofi has exercised its option to license a new ANKET® program targeting solid tumors, with Innate Pharma receiving a €15 million option exercise payment. Sanofi will be responsible for all development, manufacturing, and commercialization of this program, and retains the option for one additional ANKET® target under the terms of the agreement
About Innate Pharma
Innate Pharma is a global, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing immunotherapies for cancer patients. Its innovative approach aims to harness the innate immune system through three therapeutic approaches: multi-specific NK Cell Engagers via its ANKET® (Antibody-based NK Cell Engager Therapeutics) proprietary platform, Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC), and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).
The company’s portfolio includes several ANKET® drug candidates targeting multiple tumor types, as well as IPH4502, a differentiated ADC in development for solid tumors. Additionally, anti-KIR3DL2 monoclonal antibody lacutamab is being developed for advanced forms of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and peripheral T-cell lymphomas, and anti-NKG2A monoclonal antibody monalizumab is being developed with AstraZeneca for non-small cell lung cancer.
Headquartered in Marseille, France, with a U.S. office in Rockville, Maryland, Innate Pharma is listed on Euronext Paris and Nasdaq in the U.S.
This strategic realignment and investment highlight the dynamic nature of pharmaceutical collaborations and the importance of aligning development efforts with evolving scientific insights and market needs.
