First Patient Treated in IMM-1-104 Phase 2a Solid Tumor Trial

Immuneering Corporation, a company focused on developing universal-RAS/RAF medicines for cancer treatment, has started a new phase of clinical trials for its lead drug candidate, IMM-1-104. The drug is designed to inhibit MEK in the MAPK pathway, potentially affecting cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, and is administered orally once daily.

The Phase 2a segment of the Phase 1/2a trial marks a significant step for the company as it tests the drug on a larger scale, in earlier stages of disease, and with a wider range of endpoints. The trial will include approximately 150 patients and is divided into five distinct groups, each targeting different types of cancer and treatment settings. The groups consist of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), RAS-mutant melanoma, and RAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with some receiving IMM-1-104 as a standalone treatment and others in combination with other therapies.

The company's CEO, Ben Zeskind, emphasized the importance of this phase, highlighting the potential impact of IMM-1-104 in treating specific cancers and the excitement of evaluating it for the first time in combination with other treatments. He also expressed anticipation for the upcoming data release, which is expected to provide valuable insights into the drug's efficacy and safety.

Immuneering's pipeline includes IMM-6-415, another oral inhibitor set to enter a Phase 1/2a study for patients with advanced solid tumors. The company's goal is to develop a universal-RAS therapy that can be used broadly across different cancer populations, with a focus on deep cyclic inhibition of the MAPK pathway.

The initial results from the Phase 1 portion of the trial are anticipated in March 2024, with further data from the Phase 2a arms expected later in the year. Immuneering aims to make a significant contribution to the field of oncology by offering a novel therapeutic approach that could benefit a wide range of cancer patients.