Boehringer and OSE to bring cancer immunotherapy to clinics

Boehringer Ingelheim and OSE Immunotherapeutics have announced the advancement of their SIRPα inhibitor antibody, BI 770371, into Phase Ib clinical trials for cancer treatment. This development is a significant part of their broader immuno-oncology program, which aims to enhance the body's immune response against cancer cells.

SIRPα, a receptor found on macrophages, interacts with CD47 to suppress the immune system's capacity to eliminate cancer cells. The new antibody, BI 770371, works by blocking SIRPα, thereby encouraging macrophages to destroy cancer cells more effectively. Boehringer Ingelheim's global head of translational medicine and clinical pharmacology, Vittoria Zinzalla, expressed enthusiasm about the progression of the SIRPα program, initiated by OSE, based on positive data from initial clinical studies and the development of an improved antibody. The goal is to accelerate and broaden the pipeline of first-in-class cancer therapies, potentially transforming the lives of cancer patients.

OSE Immunotherapeutics, which specializes in immuno-oncology and immuno-inflammation, had previously licensed BI 770371 and another asset, BI 765063, to Boehringer Ingelheim. These assets are derived from OSE's myeloid checkpoint platform, designed to target immune regulatory receptors on macrophages and dendritic cells, optimizing their therapeutic potential in cancer treatments.

Nicolas Poirier, CEO of OSE Immunotherapeutics, expressed excitement about the SIRPα project's advancement in clinical development for immuno-oncology and its expansion to CRM diseases. This progress signifies a step closer to providing this selective SIRPα innovation for the benefit of more patients.

In May 2024, Boehringer Ingelheim expanded its collaboration with OSE, acquiring a preclinical oncology asset and extending the scope of the clinical programs for both BI 765063 and BI 770371. As part of this transaction, Boehringer made an upfront payment of €13.5 million ($14.6 million) to the French biotech company, with additional milestone-based payments of up to €17.5 million ($19 million) for the checkpoint inhibitor.