Biomunex unveils MAIT cell redirection approach for lead immune-oncology program at PEGS Boston Conference

The Biomunex next-generation bi- and multi-specific antibody BiXAb platform will redirect the MAIT cell sub-population of T cells to specifically engage and kill cancer cells and overcome several limitations of CD3+ T-cell engagers
 
This MAIT cell redirection approach is expected to yield positive clinical responses in cancer, notably solid tumors, and have a significantly reduced cytokine release syndrome, a common toxicity with classical T-cell engagers. This innovative approach was invented thanks to a collaboration between Biomunex and France’s leading cancer center Institut Curie, based on its recognized expertise in T cell biology
 
Paris, France and Cambridge, MA, USA, May 3, 2022 – Biomunex Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company that develops cutting-edge immunotherapies through the discovery and development of bi- and multi-specific antibodies in cancer treatment, today announces that it will present the concept and data on its MAIT (Mucosal-Associated Invariant T) cell redirection target for its lead non-conventional T cell redirection approach for the treatment of cancer at PEGS Boston Conference (MA, USA), on May 5^th at 3:50pm (EST).
 
Newly appointed CSO, Dr. Simon Plyte, PhD, will unveil this novel modality in the field of T cell redirection in oncology during his presentation at the 13th Annual Engineering Bispecific Antibodies conference, part of the PEGS Boston Conference, May 2-6, titled `Can Non-Conventional T Cells Solve the Problems of Classical T Cell Engagers?’
 
With this presentation, Biomunex will present data showing that, using their BiXAb^® technology, MAIT cells can be redirected to kill cancer cells in a specific manner that does not engage all T cell subsets. This MAIT-focused approach has the potential to overcome certain limitations of CD3+ T-cell engagers such as cytokine release syndrome. By being naturally resident in tissues and with a high propensity to infiltrate tissues, the MAIT cell redirection drugs should also have a higher potential, compared to classical T cell engagers, in the treatment of solid tumors. This novel therapeutic approach was developed through several collaborations with Institut Curie, France’s leading cancer center, based on its recognized expertise in immunotherapy and MAIT-focused biology.
 
“We are very excited to present at PEGS Boston the potential of MAIT cell redirection as an innovative approach in the field of T cell engagers. Given that MAIT cells are naturally resident in many tissues from which cancers arise and, using the BiXAb technology that can be adapted to target any tumor-associated antigen, the MAIT cell redirection approach could be applied to many cancer indications,” said Dr. Simon Plyte. “This modality has the potential to impact on the control of solid tumors, with the promise to significantly reduce cytokine toxicity. This represents an important step forward in our R&D strategy.”
 
Biomunex uses its proprietary, best-in-class, bi- and multi-specific antibody technology, BiXAb, to investigate and develop disruptive new approaches that could have a significant impact on the treatment of cancer. This newly unveiled, first-in-class MAIT cell redirection approach, which is the company’s flagship program, adds to Biomunex’ pipeline of innovative drug candidates. Biomunex is the only company developing a novel immunotherapeutic approach in oncology based on MAIT cell redirection.
 
Dr. Pierre-Emmanuel Gerard, CEO and founder of Biomunex, said: “We are thrilled and proud to present data on our lead MAIT cell redirection approach in immuno-oncology using our BiXAb platform. The innovative MAIT cell redirection approach was invented together with our partners and advisors at Institut Curie: Dr. Sebastian Amigorena (Head of Institut Curie’s Cancer Immunotherapy Center, INSERM U932, Institut Curie) and Dr. Olivier Lantz (Institut Curie’s Clinical Immunology Laboratory, INSERM U932, Institut Curie). We are currently preparing for a fundraising round to develop our unique MAIT BiXAb platform and our proprietary breakthrough antibodies to complete first in human studies, and expand the BiXAb platform to trispecificity.”
 
The recent appointment of Dr. Simon Plyte strengthened Biomunex’s team to further develop its R&D strategy using its BiXAb platform. BiXAb has been validated by significant data on different programs and through deals with pharmaceutical companies such as Sanofi and Onward Therapeutics. Biomunex was one of the national laureates of the French government’s ‘New biotherapies and bioproduction tools’ scheme in November 2021 for a project focused on this non-conventional T cell redirection approach, which received close to €3 million ($3.5M) in grants. The company has also prolonged its strategic collaboration with Institut Curie to move this program forward.
 
The company will also present its MAIT cell redirection approach at upcoming congresses this year, including the Immuno-Oncology Summit Europe 2022 in London, UK, May 23-25.  
 
About Biomunex 
Biomunex Pharmaceuticals is a French biopharmaceutical company based in Paris, France, and Cambridge, MA, USA, with seasoned and international leadership team and boards. Biomunex discovers and develops disruptive immunotherapeutic approaches based on data driven biology, to address the unmet medical needs in oncology. Thanks to its proprietary computational modelling approach, it has created and developed a robust ‘plug and play’ next-generation bi- and multi-specific antibody technology platform, BiXAb^®. The BiXAb platform, which generates any bispecific antibodies from any pair of monoclonals, in a straightforward, fast and cost-effective fashion, has been validated by out-licensing and collaboration deals with pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
www.biomunex.com