ImmunOs Therapeutics AG has announced the successful completion of an $11 million Series C financing round. The funds will be used to advance the clinical trial of their lead program, IOS-1002, through the completion of its Phase Ia dose escalation study. This study is evaluating IOS-1002 both as a monotherapy and in combination with MSD’s anti-PD-1 antibody, pembrolizumab, in patients with advanced solid tumors.
IOS-1002: A Multifunctional Immunotherapy
IOS-1002 represents a novel approach to cancer immunotherapy. It is designed as a multifunctional agent that simultaneously targets several immune checkpoints. The drug is based on a naturally occurring human leukocyte antigen (HLA) that targets LILRB1 (ILT2), LILRB2 (ILT4), and KIR3DL1. By targeting these receptors, IOS-1002 aims to activate both innate and adaptive immune cells, thereby modulating the tumor microenvironment.
The modulation of the tumor microenvironment is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of existing immunoncological treatments like pembrolizumab. IOS-1002 has demonstrated the ability to stimulate both the innate and adaptive immune systems of cancer patients, leading to the elimination of tumor cells in preclinical studies.
Clinical Development and Future Directions
ImmunOs Therapeutics is committed to advancing the clinical development of IOS-1002. The ongoing Phase Ia trial is a critical step in evaluating the safety and efficacy of this novel immunotherapy. The company is also exploring different modalities to agonize receptors for the modulation of the immune system in autoimmune diseases, indicating a broader application of their technology beyond oncology.
