ImmuPharma PLC is in active discussions with multiple global commercial partners following significant scientific breakthroughs in its flagship P140 autoimmune program, the company announced alongside its full-year financial results.
Recent discoveries have confirmed that P140 operates via a unique mechanism of action that restores immune system balance rather than suppressing immune activity—a critical differentiator from most current autoimmune therapies. The drug candidate has demonstrated both efficacy and safety in preclinical studies while maintaining a non-immunosuppressive profile.
"These scientific advances have strengthened our intellectual property portfolio and enhanced our commercialization prospects," said Tim McCarthy, Chairman and Chief Executive of ImmuPharma. "Our progress paves the way for more accurate diagnostics, better identification of patients likely to respond to treatment, and improved monitoring of therapeutic outcomes."
Redesigned Clinical Strategy for P140
The company has substantially redesigned its clinical approach for P140 after a comprehensive reassessment of dosing and trial design parameters. Following guidance meetings with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and additional pharmacokinetic studies, ImmuPharma now plans to implement a dosage up to 20 times higher than previously tested in clinical trials.
This strategic adjustment is expected to significantly enhance efficacy without introducing the adverse side effects typically associated with current standard-of-care treatments such as steroids. The company believes this could represent a major advancement for patients with autoimmune conditions.
"P140's mechanism aims to restore immune system balance rather than suppress immune activity," explained McCarthy. "This fundamental difference from existing therapies could potentially eliminate the need for patients to use oral steroids, which may help highlight P140's benefits more clearly in upcoming clinical trials."
Focus on Major Autoimmune Conditions
ImmuPharma's board remains focused on advancing its late-stage pipeline, with particular emphasis on P140, which is being developed for multiple autoimmune conditions. The primary targets include systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease affecting approximately 5 million people worldwide, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), a rare neurological disorder characterized by progressive weakness and impaired sensory function.
The company's scientific progress has enabled a more targeted approach to patient selection and treatment monitoring, potentially increasing the probability of clinical trial success in these challenging therapeutic areas.
Expanding Anti-Infective Portfolio
Beyond its autoimmune platform, ImmuPharma continues to advance preclinical work on its anti-infective programs. BioAMB and BioCIN, targeting fungal and bacterial infections respectively, are progressing through preclinical development.
These drug candidates are based on modified versions of well-established compounds, which the company believes may lead to safer and more convenient treatment options for patients with serious infections. The development strategy leverages existing safety data while introducing novel delivery mechanisms and formulations.
Financial Position
At the end of the financial year, ImmuPharma reported a cash balance of £200,000 with a posted loss of £2.5 million. To strengthen its financial position, the company raised £2.9 million in February 2025 through an equity placing and subscription agreement with Lanstead Capital.
The additional funding is expected to support the company's ongoing research and development activities, particularly the advancement of its P140 program toward clinical trials with the new dosing strategy.
Market Outlook
With its enhanced scientific understanding of P140's mechanism of action and strengthened intellectual property position, ImmuPharma appears well-positioned to advance discussions with potential commercial partners. The company's focus on non-immunosuppressive approaches to autoimmune disease management addresses a significant unmet need in a global autoimmune therapeutics market projected to exceed $150 billion by 2025.
The ongoing partner discussions could potentially lead to development collaborations or licensing agreements that would accelerate P140's path to market, while providing additional resources for ImmuPharma's broader pipeline development efforts.
