Immuneering Partners with Lilly for Phase 2 NSCLC Combination Trial Testing Dual MAPK Pathway Blockade
Key Insights
Immuneering Corporation announced a clinical supply agreement with Eli Lilly to evaluate atebimetinib (search) in combination with olomorasib in a planned Phase 2 trial for advanced KRAS G12C (search)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer patients.
The combination aims to provide vertical blockade of the RAS-MAPK pathway (search), with preclinical studies showing enhanced tumor regression, delayed resistance emergence, and prolonged survival compared to monotherapy.
This marks Immuneering's second major collaboration in 2025, following a February agreement with Regeneron to test atebimetinib (search) with cemiplimab in advanced NSCLC patients.
Immuneering Corporation announced a clinical supply agreement with Eli Lilly and Company for its second-generation KRAS G12C (search) inhibitor, olomorasib (LY3537982), to support evaluation of the combination with Immuneering's lead product candidate atebimetinib (search) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic KRAS G12C-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed on prior therapy.
Strategic Collaboration Expands Combination Approach
The supply agreement enables a planned Phase 2 clinical trial testing atebimetinib (search) (IMM-1-104), described as a novel dual MEK (search) inhibitor, in combination with olomorasib. This represents Immuneering's second major collaboration announced in 2025, following a February clinical trial agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to evaluate atebimetinib combined with the anti-PD-1 (search) therapy Libtayo (cemiplimab) in patients with advanced NSCLC.
"This agreement with Lilly marks the second such collaboration we have announced this year as we seek to evaluate the potential of atebimetinib (search) in combination with synergistic anti-cancer mechanisms. A pan-MAPK solution is of particular interest in challenging tumor types such as NSCLC," said E.B. Brakewood, Chief Business Officer of Immuneering.
Preclinical Data Supports Dual Pathway Targeting
The combination strategy aims to provide what the company describes as a "vertical blockade" of the RAS-MAPK pathway (search). According to Igor Matushansky, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of Immuneering, preclinical studies of the atebimetinib (search) and olomorasib combination demonstrated enhanced tumor regression, delayed emergence of tumor resistance, and prolonged survival relative to monotherapy.
"This dual targeted approach has the potential to improve outcomes in a population with limited effective treatment options," Matushansky stated.
Deep Cyclic Inhibitor Technology Platform
Atebimetinib (search) represents what Immuneering describes as an entirely new category of cancer medicines called Deep Cyclic Inhibitors. The oral, once-daily MEK (search) inhibitor is designed to improve durability and tolerability while expanding indications to include MAPK pathway (search)-driven tumors such as most pancreatic cancers. The compound is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2a trial in patients with advanced solid tumors including pancreatic cancer.
Development Rights and Future Plans
Under the agreement, Immuneering will maintain global development and commercialization rights to atebimetinib (search). The clinical-stage oncology company, which trades on NASDAQ under the symbol IMRX, positions itself as focused on keeping cancer patients alive through its novel therapeutic approach targeting challenging tumor types with limited effective treatment options.