IMU Biosciences has joined the MANIFEST (Multiomic ANalysis of Immunotherapy Features Evidencing Success and Toxicity) consortium, a UK-wide platform dedicated to unraveling the complexities of immunotherapy response and side effects in cancer patients. This collaborative effort aims to enhance the effectiveness and safety of pioneering immunotherapies through advanced immune profiling and AI-driven analytics.
MANIFEST Consortium and Funding
Led by the Francis Crick Institute and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, the MANIFEST consortium has secured £9 million in funding from the UK government's Medical Research Council and Office for Life Sciences. An additional £12.9 million has been contributed by industry partners, highlighting the collaborative nature of this four-year project. The primary goal is to overcome barriers to successful immunotherapy outcomes by identifying predictive biomarkers related to patient response, resistance, and immune-related adverse events following immuno-oncology treatments.
IMU Biosciences' Role and Technology
IMU Biosciences will play a crucial role in this nationwide study by analyzing thousands of blood samples from patients undergoing immunotherapy. The company's technology platform, which integrates high-resolution spectral cytometry with AI-powered analytics, can identify and analyze over 2,000 immune cell subsets. This capability will enable the development of novel systems-level immune signatures and insights, providing a deeper understanding of individual immune system influences on immunotherapy responsiveness.
Adam Laing, president and CSO of IMU Biosciences, stated, "The IMU team is thrilled to contribute our cutting-edge, AI-driven immune profiling platform to this groundbreaking UK consortium, helping to deepen the understanding of the immune system’s role in cancer therapy and response, with the ultimate goal of improving clinical outcomes for patients."
Research Focus and Scope
The research will initially focus on melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer, involving 6,000 patients across the UK. The consortium's findings are expected to provide insights into which patients are most likely to benefit from immunotherapy and to inform the development of potential new treatments, such as vaccines and cell therapies.
Consortium Composition
The MANIFEST consortium comprises 15 academic institutions, including The Francis Crick Institute and the Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, along with six NHS Trusts, 11 industry collaborators including IMU Biosciences, patient advocacy groups, and other networks. This diverse composition ensures a comprehensive approach to understanding and improving cancer immunotherapy.
