– Potential to bring in-house cell-based therapies that potentiate checkpoint inhibitors
ROCKVILLE, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc., (“ITI”) a privately held clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on advancing its proprietary nucleic acid immunotherapy platform, announced today an exclusive option to license or acquire a series of innovative technologies in the immuno-oncology space from iOncologi, Inc., (“iOi”).
Preclinical studies led by iOi Co-Founders, Drs. Duane Mitchell and Catherine Flores, have demonstrated that resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can be overcome by iOi’s novel, intravenously delivered stem cell-based therapeutic. Rapid translation of this possible breakthrough discovery into first-in-human clinical trials is underway. ITI’s option offers potential opportunities for both companies to further facilitate clinical and commercial development in the field of cell therapy and for collaboration in the development of nucleic acid vaccines that complements ITI’s own UNITE™ technology. The option agreement contemplates additional investment by ITI dependent upon iOi achieving certain clinical trial milestones.
“We are pleased to expand our collaboration with Dr. Duane Mitchell, both in his role as Founder & President of iOncologi, and as a leading academic researcher in the immuno-oncology field. Dr. Mitchell has been instrumental in the development and leadership of our ATTAC-II clinical trial for patients with Glioblastoma,” said Dr. William Hearl, CEO of Immunomic Therapeutics. “His determination to bring innovative treatments to patients is what compounds the complementary technologies in both companies.”
“We are very excited to have iOncologi and Immunomic Therapeutics bring together complementary expertise in the advancement of new treatments for patients with refractory cancers,” said Dr. Mitchell. “This agreement expands upon a longstanding and very fruitful collaboration with Dr. Hearl and the team at ITI in bringing forward novel immunotherapy treatments for patients with Glioblastoma. I look forward to the advances that will come from this agreement between the two companies.”
About Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc.
Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc. (ITI) is a privately-held, clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of vaccines through its proprietary technology platform, UNiversal Intracellular Targeted Expression (UNITE), which is designed to utilize the body’s natural biochemistry to develop vaccines that generate broad immune responses. UNITE has a robust history of applications in various therapeutic areas, including infectious diseases, oncology, allergy and autoimmune diseases. ITI is primarily focused on applying the UNITE platform to oncology, where it could potentially have broad applications, including antigen-derived antibodies as biologics. The Company has built a pipeline leveraging UNITE with programs in oncology, animal health, infectious disease and allergy. ITI has entered into a significant allergy partnership with Astellas Pharma and has formed several academic collaborations with leading Immuno-oncology researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University of Medicine, and Duke University School of Medicine. ITI maintains its headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, please visit www.immunomix.com.
About iOncologi, Inc.
iOncologi, Inc. (iOi) is a privately held biotechnology company focused on the advancement of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of refractory cancers and infectious diseases. iOi’s core platform technology involves the proprietary use of intravenously delivered stem cells to overcome resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in a variety cancers. iOi holds particular expertise in the treatment of malignant brain tumors and is focused on advancing its immunomodulatory stem cell therapy for adult and pediatric patients with malignant gliomas, as well as for patients with brain metastasis. iOi’s stem cell therapy has also demonstrated a capacity to enhance the effectiveness of adoptive T cell therapy and holds significant potential in the treatment of severe infectious diseases and sepsis. iOi maintains its headquarters at The Hub at Innovation Square in Gainesville, Florida.
Contacts
iOncologi:
Barbara Frentzen
bfrentzen@ioncologi.com
352-559-5100
ITI:
Melissa Kemp
mkemp@immunomix.com
301-968-3501