INmune Bio Inc. Unveils New Natural Killer Cancer Therapy INKmune™ in ImmunoTherapy Journal

BOCA RATON, Fla., July 23, 2024 – INmune Bio Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in inflammation and immunology treatments, has announced the publication of a pivotal research paper in the Journal Immunotherapy of Cancer. The paper, co-authored by Mark Lowdell, PhD, and INmune's Chief Scientific Officer, is titled "Proteomic and Phenotypic Characteristics of Memory-Like Natural Killer Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy."

The study reveals that memory-like natural killer (mlNK) cells, whether stimulated by cytokines or primed by INKmuneTM, exhibit heightened cytotoxicity against various tumor types. This finding is particularly significant for cancer immunotherapy. Interestingly, the research shows that mlNK cells derived from cancer patients are as potent as those from healthy individuals, thereby validating INKmune’s treatment approach in vivo. The study also sheds light on the metabolic and physiological processes that underpin NK cell memory, paving the way for innovative therapies for both blood-related and solid tumors.

Dr. Mark Lowdell emphasized the rapid advancements in NK cell biology, underscoring this study as the first to identify the unique features of tumor-killing memory-like NK cells. He pointed out that INKmuneTM priming enhances proteins that protect NK cells in the tumor microenvironment, a crucial factor for their ongoing clinical trial in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The research, a collaborative effort between commercial and academic entities over several years, has now been published in a high-impact, peer-reviewed journal.

Notably, this study is the first to demonstrate in vivo generation of mlNK cells, something not achievable with the in vitro cytokine cocktail. The researchers successfully identified these INKmuneTM-primed mlNK cells in patients post-treatment, a vital step in proving the claimed mechanism of action.

Additionally, the paper highlights improved metabolic functions of NK cells primed by INKmuneTM, suggesting better performance in the tumor microenvironment (TME). RJ Tesi, CEO of INmune, noted that NK cell dysfunction in the TME is often due to impaired metabolism. The findings imply that INKmuneTM priming can surmount these metabolic challenges, resulting in more effective NK cell responses against tumors.

INmune Bio is currently conducting a clinical trial of INKmuneTM for treating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, with preliminary results expected later this year.

INKmune™ is described as a pharmaceutical-grade, replication-incompetent human tumor cell line that primes resting NK cells by delivering multiple essential signals. This transformation converts the patient's resting NK cells into tumor-killing mlNK cells. Remarkably, INKmuneTM-primed NK cells have shown persistence in patients for over 100 days. These cells function effectively in the hypoxic TME due to upregulated nutrient receptors and mitochondrial survival proteins. INKmune™ is a patient-friendly treatment that requires no pre-medication, conditioning, or additional cytokine therapy. It is easy to transport, store, and administer via a simple outpatient intravenous infusion. It is also tumor-agnostic, suitable for treating many NK-resistant tumors, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, lung, ovarian, breast, renal, and nasopharyngeal cancers. The treatment is currently undergoing a Phase I/II trial in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in the US.

INmune Bio Inc. is a publicly traded clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments that leverage the innate immune system to combat diseases. They are advancing two product platforms: the Dominant-Negative Tumor Necrosis Factor (DN-TNF) platform and the Natural Killer Cell Priming Platform. The former aims to neutralize soluble TNF, a key factor in many diseases, while the latter includes INKmune™, designed to prime NK cells to eradicate minimal residual disease in cancer patients. Both platforms take a precision medicine approach to treat a variety of hematologic and solid tumor malignancies, as well as chronic inflammation.

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