Innate Pharma Secures $7.9M from IFLI for IPH6501 Development in Follicular Lymphoma

Innate Pharma SA, listed on Euronext Paris under IPH and on Nasdaq as IPHA, has announced a new clinical study in partnership with the Institute for Follicular Lymphoma (IFLI). This collaboration will investigate the effectiveness of IPH6501, an anti-CD20 ANKET® developed by Innate Pharma, in treating follicular lymphoma (FL).

The clinical study is an expansion of Innate’s ongoing Phase 1/2 trial, which is designed to test the safety, tolerability, and preliminary anti-cancer activity of IPH6501 in patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma who have relapsed or are refractory to treatment. The new agreement will now include patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. The study's open-label, multicenter approach aims to provide vital information on the drug's effectiveness across a broader patient base.

To support this phase of the trial, IFLI will initially invest $3 million into newly issued shares of Innate Pharma at a price of €1.56 per share, which will account for 2.26% of Innate's share capital. IFLI has also committed to potentially investing an additional $4.9 million, contingent upon the achievement of specific milestones. The price for these additional shares will be determined at the time of the investment.

Dr. Sonia Quaratino, Chief Medical Officer of Innate Pharma, expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting the company's commitment to advancing research that improves outcomes for patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. She emphasized that the agreement with IFLI is in line with Innate's mission to develop therapeutic options that meet critical needs and improve the quality of life for patients dealing with this challenging disease.

Dr. Michel Azoulay, Chief Medical Officer of IFLI, also voiced strong support for the collaboration. He believes that IPH6501 has significant potential to improve patient outcomes in Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas, including follicular lymphoma. Dr. Azoulay noted that IFLI is eager to support Innate Pharma in the investigation of IPH6501 and is prepared to continue supporting its clinical development upon reaching key milestones. This collaboration is seen as an example of how IFLI’s philanthropic investments can drive the development of innovative treatments for FL.

The Institute for Follicular Lymphoma Innovation is a global, non-profit foundation dedicated to accelerating the development of treatments for follicular lymphoma. The foundation supports cutting-edge research and technology aimed at developing and commercializing new therapeutics and biomarkers for FL. With a focus on collaboration, IFLI promotes data sharing and knowledge exchange among researchers and institutions to advance FL research.

Innate Pharma, headquartered in Marseille, France, is a global clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing immunotherapies for cancer patients. The company leverages its proprietary ANKET® platform, which uses therapeutic antibodies to engage the innate immune system. Innate's portfolio includes lacutamab for advanced cutaneous T cell lymphomas, monalizumab developed in partnership with AstraZeneca for non-small cell lung cancer, and multi-specific NK cell engagers targeting various tumor types. The company collaborates with biopharmaceutical giants like Sanofi and AstraZeneca, as well as leading research institutions, to accelerate innovation and improve patient outcomes.

This collaboration between Innate Pharma and the Institute for Follicular Lymphoma Innovation marks a significant step forward in the quest to develop effective treatments for follicular lymphoma. Both organizations are committed to leveraging their respective strengths to bring new therapeutic options to patients in need.