Locations
North America · New York, NY, USA
industry
Biotechnology · Data and Analytics · DeepTech · Design · Health
Size
51-200 employees
Stage
Other
founded in
2019
Ichnos Sciences aims to shift the way the world thinks about innovation in medicine by developing potentially transformative biologic treatments in immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases. The company, headquartered in New York City, with discovery and manufacturing at two sites in Switzerland, has approximately 250 employees and strong capabilities in the R&D of new biological entities. The first wave of Ichnos’ bi-/trispecific antibody oncology pipeline consists of five programs, including a clinical-stage, potentially first-in-class T-cell engager, ISB 1342 (CD38 x CD3), which is in Phase 1 for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Ichnos’ proprietary BEAT technology platform enables the company to develop novel immune cell engagers and modulators in oncology, with the goal of realizing its mission to provide breakthrough, potentially curative therapies that will hopefully extend and improve lives, writing a new chapter in healthcare. Beyond oncology, Ichnos has a pipeline of two first-in-class therapeutics addressing autoimmune diseases. ISB 830 (telazorlimab, OX40 antagonist) is in Phase 2b, and ISB 880 (anti-IL-1RAP antagonist) is in IND-enabling studies. Both compounds have potential across a range of autoimmune diseases and are available for out-licensing, enabling Ichnos to focus on oncology moving forward. Officially launched on October 15, 2019, Ichnos has an experienced executive leadership team and board of directors. The company is a subsidiary of Glenmark Holding SA, which is currently funding operating expenses until additional investors come on board. Ichnos’ pipeline continues to grow. Enrollment in a Phase 1 study for ISB 1342 is ongoing and preclinical-stage assets focused on CD38 x T-cell engagers and macrophage modulators are advancing. Ichnos has entered into advanced out-licensing discussions with potential partners for the autoimmune disease portfolio, which includes the Phase 2b OX40 antagonist telazorlimab (formerly known as ISB 830) and the IL-1RAP antagonist ISB 880, which is currently in IND- enabling studies. The opening of the global headquarters at One World Trade Center in New York City occurred on mid-October 2021. FISCAL YEAR 2022 OBJECTIVES • Establish clinical proof of concept for ISB 1342 and the BEAT platform • File an IND for ISB 1442, First-in-Class CD38 x CD47 2+1 biparatopic bispecific myeloid cell engager • Finalize out-licensing of ISB 830 (anti-OX40 Telazorlimab) and ISB 880 (anti-IL-1RAP) • Continue to prepare for equity capital raise UPDATE ON ICHNOS ONCOLOGY BIOLOGICS PIPELINE • ISB 1342, CD38 x CD3 BEAT 1.0 bispecific antibody in Phase 1 for relapsed/refractory Multiple Myeloma • ISB 1442, CD38 x CD47 BEAT 2.0 bispecific antibody in IND-enabling studies for relapsed/refractory Multiple Myeloma • ISB 2001, TREAT(TM) trispecific antibody in Discovery for Hematological Malignancies • ISB 2004, BEAT 2.0 bispecific antibody in Discovery for Hematological Malignancies/Solid Tumors • ISB 2005, TREAT(TM) trispecific antibody in Discovery for Hematological Malignancies OVERVIEW OF SELECT ONCOLOGY COMPOUNDS ISB 1342 (CD38 X CD3 BISPECIFIC ANTIBODY) • A Phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation, first-in-human study of ISB 1342 in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma is ongoing • Enrollment of patients receiving biweekly dosing was closed in March 2020 following clinical pharmacology evaluation in 29 subjects • Enrollment of patients receiving a weekly dosing regimen is ongoing • Number of sites participating in the study was recently expanded to enhance enrollment. New locations in the US were added and a clinical trial application has been approved in France • The primary objectives of the study are to Determine maximum tolerated dose and/or recommended Phase 2 dose of ISB 1342 (Part 1 dose escalation) and Assess anti-myeloma activity of ISB 1342 according to the International Myeloma Working Group response criteria (Part 2 dose expansion) • Preclinical data on ISB 1342 were presented at the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting and EHA 2021 Virtual Congress • Orphan Drug Designation for multiple myeloma was granted by the FDA in September 2019 • The bulk drug substance is manufactured at the site in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. ISB 1442 (CD38 X CD47 BISPECIFIC ANTIBODY) • This first-in-class CD38 x CD47 biparatopic bispecific antibody was generated using the BEAT 2.0 technology developed by scientists in Ichnos’ laboratories in Lausanne at the Biopole life sciences campus • ISB 1442 is designed to kill CD38-expressing tumor cells through inhibition of the CD47- SIRPα axis to increase antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) and enhance antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity through CDC and ADCC, enabled by the architecture and engineered Fc of the molecules • IND-enabling studies are proceeding, and a Phase 1/2 first-in-human dose-finding study of ISB 1442 in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma is currently planned to start in 2022 • The bulk drug substance is manufactured at the Ichnos site in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. ICHNOS TO OUT-LICENSE ASSETS IN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE ISB 830 (TELAZORLIMAB, OX40 ANTAGONIST) • The double-blind portion of a two-part, randomized, controlled, multicenter, Phase 2b clinical trial, assessing four doses and two dosing schedules of telazorlimab versus placebo in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD), has been completed. An open-label extension is ongoing across study sites in the US, Canada, Germany, Czech Republic, and Poland • Results from the double-blind portion of the study are as follows • Efficacy: The primary endpoint of EASI score, % change from baseline to Week 16, was achieved for the two highest doses of telazorlimab tested (300 mg and 600 mg q 2 weeks) versus placebo. Numerical improvements were also seen for the two higher dose arms of telazorlimab compared to placebo in the secondary endpoints of EASI- 75 and Investigator Global Assessment, but most of the differences were not statistically significant • Safety: Telazorlimab was well tolerated. The most commonly reported adverse events (&g;5%) were: atopic dermatitis, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache. One patient with pre-existing hypertension in the telazorlimab group died due to a presumed cardiovascular event during the treatment period. The investigator considered the death to be unrelated to the study drug. • In addition to data from the 16-week primary analysis period, preliminary results from the open-label extension and ongoing follow-up period of this study are available and were recently presented at the 2021 Society for Investigative Dermatology Virtual Meeting and are accessible here. Of note, clinical efficacy continued to improve after Week 16, with maximal impact achieved several weeks later and reduction in AD disease activity was maintained after discontinuation of telazorlimab, through three months of follow-up • A US IND to conduct studies of telazorlimab in autoimmune diseases, including Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), is active and Ichnos plans to out-license this asset for further development. ISB 880 (IL-1RAP ANTAGONIST) • ISB 880, a fully human, high-affinity, monoclonal antibody blocking IL-1RAP signalling, is in the IND-enabling phase for patients with autoimmune diseases. The optimal antibody profile, the strong in vitro and in vivo data package, as well as toxicology, CMC, and clinical pharmacology plans are expected to enable IND filing by end of calendar year 2021 • Blockade of IL-1RAP simultaneously abrogates multiple disease drivers among the IL-1 family of proinflammatory cytokine receptors, including IL-1R, IL-33R, and IL-36R, differentiating ISB 880 from single cytokine blockade therapies. These cytokines have been implicated in numerous autoimmune conditions, opening opportunities for ISB 880 to be positioned across broad disease indications • To date there is no IL-1RAP antagonist approved or under clinical development for autoimmune disease, positioning ISB 880 as a potential first-in-class therapeutic. (8/2021)
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