Indapta Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has announced the closing of a $22.5 million funding round to advance the clinical development of its allogeneic Natural Killer (NK) cell therapy, IDP-023. The financing will support ongoing trials in cancer and the initiation of a Phase 1 trial in autoimmune disease, specifically progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).
The funding round was completed by current investors including RA Capital Management, Leaps by Bayer, Vertex Ventures HC, Pontifax, and the Myeloma Investment Fund.
Advancing IDP-023 Clinical Trials
Indapta's lead product, IDP-023, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) and Multiple Myeloma (MM). The company has completed enrollment in the safety run-in portion of the trial, where patients received up to three doses of IDP-023 with or without interleukin (IL)-2.
Data presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer meeting showed a mean maximum decrease in serum M-protein or light chain of 73% in responding myeloma patients with relapsed/refractory disease. Notably, three patients achieved a reduction of 84% or greater. Enrollment is ongoing for cohorts receiving IDP-023 in combination with monoclonal antibodies targeting CD20 or CD38.
Expansion into Autoimmune Disease
In August, Indapta received FDA clearance for its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for IDP-023 in combination with ocrelizumab for progressive MS. The company plans to initiate a Phase 1 trial in this indication in Q1 2025.
Indapta's approach to autoimmune diseases is differentiated by several mechanisms. IDP-023, when combined with a B cell-targeting antibody like ocrelizumab, can more effectively deplete B cells. Additionally, g-NK cells are capable of targeting autoreactive T and B cells that upregulate HLA-E. The inherent anti-viral activity of g-NK cells may also address the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral reservoir contributing to MS pathogenesis.
Management Perspective
"This funding will enable us to generate significant additional data in our ongoing trial of IDP-023 in cancer as well as initial data from our first trial in autoimmune disease," said Mark Frohlich, Indapta’s CEO. "Preliminary results of IDP-023 in cancer are encouraging and we look forward to initiating our Phase 1 trial for multiple sclerosis in Q1 2025. This financing, together with our recently announced collaboration with Sanofi, highlights the promise of our differentiated platform."
