Epsilogen Ltd., a London-based cancer specialist, has finalized a £12.5 million Series B expansion financing, bringing the total Series B funding to £43.25 million. This investment will support the clinical testing of the company's lead IgE antibody, MOv18 IgE, in a Phase Ib trial for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC), as well as the advancement of its broader IgE-based pipeline.
MOv18 IgE is a first-in-class antibody targeting folate receptor alpha (FRalpha), an antigen overexpressed in several cancers, including ovarian, endometrial, lung, and triple-negative breast cancer. A Phase I trial has already indicated that MOv18 IgE is safe and well-tolerated, with initial signs of clinical activity observed.
The planned Phase Ib trial will be a two-part study involving dose escalation and expansion in patients with FRalpha-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer whose disease has progressed after four or more prior lines of anticancer therapy. This trial aims to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of MOv18 IgE in this patient population with limited treatment options.
The mechanism of action of MOv18 IgE involves high-affinity binding to its main cognate receptor, FcεR1, facilitating immunosurveillance and potent myeloid cell-driven tumor cell killing. Furthermore, IgE antibodies modulate the tumor immune microenvironment, promoting inflammation and increasing intratumoral levels of activated T cells and tumor-killing macrophages. These combined effects contribute to the antibody's potential to combat cancer.
Epsilogen, a 2017 King’s College spin-out, has successfully completed large-scale GMP manufacturing of MOv18 IgE and plans to initiate the Phase Ib trial in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients later this year. The company is also developing a pipeline of IgE therapies in oncology, including proprietary platforms such as IgE bispecifics and unique IgE/IgG combination antibody molecules (IgEGs) designed for enhanced functionality.
