MOv18 IgE(King's College London)

The funds will support the trial of MOv18 IgE to potentially treat platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Credit: Jo Panuwat D/Shutterstock. Epsilogen has completed a Series B expansion financing round, raising £12.5m ($16.4m) to progress the development of its immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies for cancer treatment. The investment was sourced entirely from existing backers British Patient Capital, the Novartis Venture Fund, Epidarex Capital, the 3B Future Health Fund and ALSA Ventures. The latest funding takes the total raised in the Series B financing round to £43.25m. The funds will primarily support the clinical proof of concept for MOv18 IgE, the company’s leading asset, in a Phase Ib trial targeting platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. MOv18 IgE, a therapeutic IgE antibody, is designed to target the folate receptor alpha (FRα) which is prevalent in various cancers. See Also: LACTIN-V by Osel for Human Papillomavirus Infections: Likelihood of Approval Cadisegliatin by VTv Therapeutics for Type 1 Diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes): Likelihood of Approval The Phase Ib trial of MOv18 IgE will have dose escalation and expansion parts, enrolling patients with FRα-positive PROC who have undergone up to four previous treatments. The trial follows a Phase I study where MOv18 IgE showed safety, tolerability and initial signs of clinical activity. MOv18 IgE’s unique mechanism of action is different from that of other clinical agents, due to its high-affinity binding to FcεR1 that promotes immunosurveillance and robust tumour cell destruction by myeloid cells. IgE antibodies have the potential to alter the tumour immune microenvironment, making it more pro-inflammatory, which results in higher levels of activated T cells and macrophages within the tumour, enhancing its destruction. Established in 2017, Epsilogen is a spin-out from King’s College London, UK. Its CEO Tim Wilson stated: “We are delighted to have received strong continued support from our existing investors, and we thank them. “The promise of IgE to treat cancer is based upon its unique mechanism of action and MOv18 IgE is the first ever to be tested in man. Everything is ready for phase Ib initiation which will occur shortly and we look forward to reporting progress from the trial.”

Phase Ib study expected to initiate in H2 2024 Previously reported Phase I results showed MOv18 IgE to be safe and well tolerated, with evidence of anti-tumour activity LONDON, UK I July 08, 2024 I Epsilogen, a global leader in the development of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to treat cancer, today announces that the Clinical Trial Application for the Phase Ib trial of MOv18 IgE has been approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The Phase Ib study is expected to initiate later in 2024 and will evaluate the efficacy of MOv18 IgE in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC). Dr Tim Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Epsilogen, said: “This CTA is another significant milestone for Epsilogen and the clinical development of MOv18 IgE. We look forward to progressing MOv18 IgE into a Phase Ib efficacy study later this year as we continue to demonstrate the potential of IgE antibodies as a new, differentiated class of cancer treatments.” About MOv18 IgE MOv18 IgE is an immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody targeting the folate receptor alpha (FR alpha) antigen. FR alpha is present on a variety of cancers including ovarian, endometrial, lung and triple negative breast cancer. Epsilogen has successfully completed a Phase I safety study of MOv18 IgE in PROC patients. The results of the study, published in Nature Communications , found MOv18 IgE to be safe and well tolerated, with evidence of anti-tumour activity observed. Epsilogen, alongside its partner Lonza, also announced the successful completion of large-scale Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing of MOv18 IgE earlier this year. About the Phase Ib study The Phase Ib study is designed to confirm the safety and tolerability of MOv18 IgE and demonstrate efficacy in PROC. Following the dose escalation, an expansion cohort will be recruited to make a preliminary assessment of the anti-tumour activity of MOv18 IgE at a selected dose. In addition, delay to disease progression will be assessed along with a number of translational elements to generate further understanding of MOv18 IgE in the study population. About Epsilogen Ltd Epsilogen is a global leader in the development of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to treat cancer. IgE’s natural function is to provide immunological defence against certain parasites. This functionality makes it an ideal treatment of solid tumours due to its strong potency, enhanced tumour access and long tissue half-life. Epsilogen’s lead product candidate, MOv18 IgE, is the first therapeutic IgE antibody to enter the clinic and encouraging data from a completed Phase I trial demonstrated MOv18 IgE to be safe and well tolerated with early signs of clinical activity. Epsilogen has recently successfully completed large scale GMP manufacture of MOv18 IgE (the first time this has been achieved for an IgE antibody) and will initiate a Phase Ib trial in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients later this year. The company is also developing a pipeline of IgE therapies in oncology as well as proprietary platforms including IgE bispecifics and unique IgE/IgG combination antibody molecules (IgEGs) with enhanced functionality. Epsilogen began operations in 2017 as a spin-out of King’s College London and has attracted venture capital financing from Epidarex Capital, Novartis Venture Fund, 3B Future Health, British Patient Capital, ALSA Ventures and Schroders Capital amongst others. Find out more at epsilogen.com . SOURCE: Epsilogen