BTN3A1

In order for immune cells to do their job, they need to know against whom they should direct their attack. Research teams a have identified new details in this process. As complicated as their name is, they are important for the human organism in the fight against pathogens and cancer: Vγ9Vδ2 T cells are part of the immune system and, as a subgroup of white blood cells, fight tumor cells and cells infected with pathogens. They recognize their potential victims by their altered cell metabolism. Research teams from the University of Würzburg and the University Hospital of Würzburg, together with groups in Hamburg, Freiburg, Great Britain and the USA, have now gained new insights into how these cells manage to look inside the cell. Thomas Herrmann, Professor of Immunogenetics at the Institute of Virology and Immunobiology and his colleague Dr. Mohindar Karunakaran at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU), were responsible for the study published in the journal Nature Communications. Crucial for the Control of Infections and Tumors "Around one to five percent of lymphocytes, a subgroup of white blood cells in the human body, are so-called Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. However, these multiply massively under certain circumstances," says Thomas Herrmann, explaining the background to the research project. "Certain circumstances" in this case means that the T cells encounter so-called phosphoantigens, metabolic products of pathogens, which can also accumulate spontaneously in tumor cells or after drug-based cancer therapy. "Vγ9Vδ2 T cells are therefore crucial for the control of infections and tumors," explains Herrmann. Receptors Give the Signal to Kill As the scientists discovered, phosphoantigens bind to a special group of molecules inside the cell, the so-called BTN3A1 molecules, with which they then form molecular complexes. "These complexes are recognized by receptors on the surface of the Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, which gives the cell the signal to kill," says the immunogeneticist. However, it turned out that relatives of the BTN3A1 molecules that do not bind phosphoantigens are also required to trigger these signals. Which areas of the molecules involved react with each other and which areas are not necessary for this: The research groups have now identified further details on this. "These findings can improve the clinical use of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in the fight against tumors," explains Herrmann. On this basis, it is conceivable, for example, to develop drugs that strengthen this interaction. However, further analyses of the interaction between the BTN molecules and the receptors of the Vγ9Vδ2 T cells are still required. Some BTN Molecules Prevent Infections However, the BTN molecules are also interesting from another point of view: "Some forms of the BTN3 molecules prevent human cells from becoming infected with the bird flu virus, for example," says Herrmann. And the BTN3A1 molecule suppresses the fight against tumors by so-called conventional T lymphocytes. In future studies, the scientists therefore now want to investigate whether these different functions are mediated by the same areas of the BTN molecules and whether certain properties of these molecules can be specifically enhanced or suppressed.

ImCheck Presented Updated Positive Data from Phase I/IIa EVICTION-2 Trial of ICT01 in Combination with Low-dose IL-2 at SITC 2023 Interim data from EVICTION-2 study confirms safety and tolerability profile and broad anti-tumor immune response that is durable across multiple treatment cycles Marseille, France, November 3, 2023, 7 pm CET – ImCheck Therapeutics presented today updated data from its ongoing Phase I/IIa EVICTION-2 clinical trial at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer 38th annual meeting in San Diego, USA. The poster presentation entitled “ICT01 plus Low Dose SC IL-2 Produces a Robust Anti-Tumor Immune Activation in Advanced Cancer Patients (EVICTION-2 Study)” provided data from the Phase I/IIa study assessing ICT01, a humanized anti-BTN3A monoclonal antibody that selectively activates γ9δ2 T cells, in combination with low-dose IL-2 in patients with advanced solid tumors. “The data show a clear increase in γ9δ2 T cell counts as well as activation and mobilization of CD8 T cells and NK cells, indicating ICT01 in combination with low dose IL-2 can generate a broad immune response. The immune cell expansion and the positive safety and tolerability profile observed support the advance of the study toward the proof of concept stage in part 2,” commented Johann S. de Bono, PhD, Regius Professor of Cancer Research at The Institute of Cancer Research, The University of London, investigator in the EVICTION-2 study, and presenter of the data at SITC 2023. “The effect of ICT01 with low dose IL-2 on anti-tumor immunity suggests the combination regimen holds promise, notably for the treatment of patients with low circulating γ9δ2 T cells and, together with the results from the EVICTION study, underlines the strong immunotherapeutic potential of ICT01 in oncology,” commented Pierre d’Epenoux, Chief Executive Officer of ImCheck Therapeutics. EVICTION-2 is a two-part, open-label, Phase I/IIa trial assessing the safety, tolerability, pharmacodynamics and anti-tumor effects of ICT01 in combination with low dose IL-2 in advanced-stage solid tumor patients. In the dose escalation Part 1 of the study, patients receive intravenous ICT01 administered on the first day of every 21-day cycle in combination with daily subcutaneous IL-2 on days 1-5 of cycles 1-3. The primary endpoint measured the incidence and severity of treatment-related adverse events and secondary outcomes included γ9δ2 T cell numbers and analysis of the disease control rate in order to select the best regimen(s) for testing in Part 2 of the trial where it will be combined with pembrolizumab. As reported in the poster, 19 patients have completed at least 1 cycle and no dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Reported treatment-related adverse events were mainly mild to moderate and correlated with the profile of ICT01 and IL-2 monotherapy. All cohorts demonstrated an elevation in γ9δ2 T cell counts that peaked at day 8-15. Further immunological observations included the activation, mobilization and proliferation of CD8 T cells and NK cells. Notably, the broad anti-tumor immune response induced by the combination regimen was durable across multiple treatment cycles. Details of the presentation are:Abstract title: “ICT01 plus Low Dose SC IL-2 Produces a Robust Anti-Tumor Immune Activation in Advanced Cancer Patients (EVICTION-2 Study)”Session title: Clinical Trials in ProgressAbstract number: 715Authors: Johann de Bono, Stéphane Champiat, Francois-Xavier Danlos, Martin Wermke, Volker Kunzmann, Aude De Gassart, Emmanuel Valentin, Marina Iché, Maelle Mairesse, Patrick Brune, Katrien Lemmens, Daniel Olive, Paul Frohna Date/Time: Friday November 3rd, 2023, 12:00–1:30 pm and 5:10–6:40 pm PTLocation: Ground Level - Exhibit Halls A and B1 - San Diego Convention Center The SITC poster is available on ImCheck’s corporate website. *** About the EVICTION 2 Trial EVICTION-2 is a first-in-human, dose escalation (Part 1) and cohort expansion (Part 2) clinical trial evaluating ICT01 in combination with low dose subcutaneous IL-2. The trial’s objective is to demonstrate the combination’s ability to safely and selectively expand the number of γ9δ2 T cells in patients with solid tumors (prostate, pancreatic, ovarian, or colorectal cancer) that produces a more robust antitumor immune response and improved patient outcomes. For more information, please refer to https://clinicaltrials.gov and reference NCT05307874. About ICT01 ICT01 is a humanized, anti-BTN3A (also known as CD277) monoclonal antibody that selectively immunosurveillance of malignancy and infections. The three isoforms of BTN3A targeted by ICT01 are overexpressed on a number of solid tumors (e.g., bladder, colorectal, melanoma, ovarian, pancreatic, lung) and hematologic cancers (e.g., leukemia & lymphoma) and also expressed on the surface of innate (e.g., γδ T cells and NK cells) and adaptive immune cells (T cells and B cells). BTN3A is essential for the activation of the anti-tumor immune response of γ9δ2 T cells. As demonstrated in EVICTION data presented at past AACR, EMSO and SITC conferences, ICT01 selectively activates circulating γ9δ2 T cells that leads to migration of γ9δ2 T cells out of the circulation and into target tissue (e.g., tumors), while also activating the tumor-resident γ9δ2 Tcells to directly kill malignant cells, which is accompanied by secretion of two key inflammatory cytokines, IFNγ and TNFα, that contribute to the expansion of the anti-tumor immune response. ICT01 has been shown to have anti-tumor activity against a range of cancers in in vitro and in vivo tumor models. About IMCHECK THERAPEUTICS ImCheck Therapeutics is designing and developing a new generation of immunotherapeutic antibodies targeting butyrophilins, a novel super-family of immunomodulators. As demonstrated by its lead clinical-stage program ICT01, which has a mechanism of action to simultaneously modulate innate and adaptive immunity, ImCheck's “first-in-class” activating antibodies may be able to produce superior clinical results as compared to the first-generation of immune checkpoint inhibitors and, when used in combination, to overcome resistance to this group of agents. In addition, ImCheck’s antagonist antibodies are being evaluated as potential treatments for a range of autoimmune and infectious diseases. Co-founder of the Marseille Immunopole cluster, ImCheck benefits from support from Prof. Daniel Olive (INSERM, CNRS, Institut Paoli Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University), a worldwide leader in γ9δ2 T cells and butyrophilins research, as well as from the experience of an expert management team and from the commitment of leading US and European investors. For further information: https://www.imchecktherapeutics.com/ Press contacts: US and EU Trophic CommunicationsGretchen Schweitzer +49 (0) 172 861 8540imcheck@trophic.eu FranceATCG PartnersCéline Voisin+33 (0)9 81 87 46 72 / +33 (0)6 62 12 53 39imcheck@atcg-partners.com Attachment PR in English

ImCheck To Present EVICTION-2 Data on ICT01 Combination With Low Dose IL-2 In Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors at SITC Annual Meeting Marseille, France, October 30, 2023 – ImCheck Therapeutics today announced that it will present updated data from its Phase I/IIa clinical trial EVICTION-2 in a poster presentation at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 38th Annual Meeting 2023. In EVICTION-2, ImCheck’s lead program, ICT01, a humanized anti-BTN3A monoclonal antibody that selectively activates γ9δ2 T cells, is evaluated in combination with lose dose IL-2 on its ability to increase the number of γ9δ2 T cells and boost the anti-tumor immune response in patients with advanced-stage solid tumors. The conference will be held November 3-5 in San Diego, USA. Details of the poster presentation are: Abstract title: “ICT01 plus Low Dose SC IL-2 Produces a Robust Anti-Tumor Immune Activation in Advanced Cancer Patients (EVICTION-2 Study)” Session title: Clinical Trials in Progress Abstract number: 715 Authors: Johann de Bono, Stéphane Champiat, Francois-Xavier Danlos, Martin Wermke, Volker Kunzmann, Aude De Gassart, Emmanuel Valentin, Marina Iché, Maelle Mairesse, Patrick Brune, Katrien Lemmens, Daniel Olive, Paul Frohna Location: Exhibit Halls A and B1 – San Diego Convention Center Date/Time: Friday, Nov. 3, 2023; 12:00–1:30 pm and 5:10–6:40 pm *** About the EVICTION 2 Trial EVICTION-2 is a first-in-human, dose escalation (Part 1) and cohort expansion (Part 2) clinical trial evaluating ICT01 in combination with low dose subcutaneous IL-2. The trial’s objective is to demonstrate the combination’s ability to safely and selectively expand the number of γ9δ2 T cells in patients with solid tumors (prostate, pancreatic, ovarian, or colorectal cancer) that produces a more robust antitumor immune response and improved patient outcomes. For more information, please refer to and reference NCT05307874. About ICT01 ICT01 is a humanized, anti-BTN3A (also known as CD277) monoclonal antibody that selectively activates γ9δ2 T cells, which are part of the innate immune system that is responsible for immunosurveillance of malignancy and infections. The 3 isoforms of BTN3A targeted by ICT01 are overexpressed on a number of solid tumors (e.g., bladder, colorectal, melanoma, ovarian, pancreatic, lung) and hematologic cancers (e.g., leukemia & lymphoma) and also expressed on the surface of innate (e.g., γδ T cells and NK cells) and adaptive immune cells (T cells and B cells). BTN3A is essential for the activation of the anti-tumor immune response of c T cells. As demonstrated in EVICTION data presented at past AACR, EMSO and SITC conferences, ICT01 selectively activates circulating γ9δ2 T cells that leads to migration of γ9δ2 T cells out of the circulation and into target tissue (e.g., tumors), while also activating the tumor-resident γ9δ2 T cells to directly kill malignant cells, which is accompanied by secretion of two key inflammatory cytokines, IFNγ and TNFα, that contribute to the expansion of the anti-tumor immune response. ICT01 has been shown to have anti-tumor activity against a range of cancers in in vitro and in vivo tumor models. About IMCHECK THERAPEUTICS ImCheck Therapeutics is designing and developing a new generation of immunotherapeutic antibodies targeting butyrophilins, a novel super-family of immunomodulators. As demonstrated by its lead clinical-stage program ICT01, which has a mechanism of action to simultaneously modulate innate and adaptive immunity, ImCheck's “first-in-class” activating antibodies may be able to produce superior clinical results as compared to the first-generation of immune checkpoint inhibitors and, when used in combination, to overcome resistance to this group of agents. In addition, ImCheck’s antagonist antibodies are being evaluated as potential treatments for a range of autoimmune and infectious diseases. Co-founder of the Marseille Immunopole cluster, ImCheck benefits from support from Prof. Daniel Olive (INSERM, CNRS, Institut Paoli Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University), a worldwide leader in γ9δ2 T cells and butyrophilins research, as well as from the experience of an expert management team and from the commitment of leading US and European investors. Press contacts: US and EU Trophic Communications Gretchen Schweitzer +49 (0) 172 861 8540 imcheck@trophic.eu France ATCG PARTNERS Céline Voisin +33 (0)9 81 87 46 72 / +33 (0)6 62 12 53 39 imcheck@atcg-partners.com