Imcyse Enters into Research Collaboration and License Agreement for its Imotope Technology with Pfizer in Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Imcyse and Pfizer to collaborate to develop ImotopeTM candidates to potentially treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Pfizer to lead clinical development and commercialization activities
  • Imcyse to receive upfront payment in cash and through the purchase of equity in addition to milestone up to $180 million and tiered royalty payments

Imcyse, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of a new class of active and specific immunotherapies for the treatment of severe autoimmune diseases, today announced that it has entered into a research collaboration and license agreement with Pfizer Inc. (PFE) for Imcyse's Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) program based on the Company's ImotopeTM technology. Following the successful completion of a research collaboration initiated in 2017, the companies have entered into such license agreement to develop ImotopesTM to potentially treat RA. In the initial period, the companies will collaborate to develop existing lead candidates and further optimize potential molecules. Subsequently, Pfizer will lead clinical development and commercialization activities for the program

Under the terms of the agreement, Imcyse will receive an up-front payment and Pfizer will purchase an equity stake in Imcyse to be executed in an upcoming financing round. In addition, Imcyse is eligible to receive up to USD 180 million in milestones in addition to tiered royalty payments. In addition, Mike Vincent, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Inflammation & Immunology Research Unit at Pfizer will join the Imcyse Scientific Advisory Board.

The initiation of the RA program was funded in part from a grant by the Wallonia Research SPW, which over a number of years and supplementary grants has supported Imcyse, enabling the Company and its programs to develop to this point of industrial partnership.

Denis Bedoret, Imcyse CEO, commented: "This license agreement constitutes a great endorsement and a sign of confidence in our ImotopeTM technology platform from one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the world. We are excited to expand our successful collaboration to develop ImotopesTM for RA, a prevalent autoimmune disorder. It is our ultimate goal to develop curative treatments for autoimmune disorders for the benefit of patients worldwide. For diseases such as RA, this can be best accomplished with the help of partners such as Pfizer."

The Imcyse ImotopeTM platform represents a next generation and potentially curative approach to severe autoimmune diseases. ImotopesTM induce cytolytic T cells, which specifically eliminate the aberrant disease pathway while leaving the rest of the immune system unaffected. The Company's lead program is entering phase 2 in Type 1 Diabetes and its Multiple Sclerosis candidate is expected to commence clinical trials by 2022.

Mike Vincent, CSO, Pfizer Inflammation & Immunology, further commented: "I am very pleased to be joining the Scientific Advisory Board of Imcyse and for Pfizer to join in the development of the ImotopeTM technology in the field of RA. Pfizer is committed to addressing the needs of patients in Rheumatology, and the Imcyse technology platform offers a unique scientific approach that we look forward to exploring further."

ABOUT IMCYSE
Imcyse is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of a new class of active and specific immunotherapies for the treatment of severe autoimmune diseases. The company's unique technology platform allows it to specifically target immune cells involved in the destruction of the diseased organ. Disease specific Imotopes(TM), which are modified peptides, generate cytolytic CD4 T-cells, that eliminate antigen-presenting cells and autoantigen specific lymphocytes. The Imotope(TM) effect, sustained over time, helps to prevent and treat diseases with no current curative alternative and to potentially cure patients without causing generalized immune suppression. The company has established proof of concept in several indications and has started a Phase 2 clinical program in type 1 diabetes with promising results already seen during the first Phase 1 trial. Beyond type 1 diabetes, Imcyse is developing a pipeline of Imotopes(TM) for the treatment of several autoimmune diseases. Founded as a spin-off of the Catholic University of Leuven in 2011, Imcyse subsequently relocated to Liège, Belgium.

www.imcyse.com

CONTACT:
Imcyse S.A.

Denis Bedoret
Chief Executive Officer
Mail: contact@imcyse.com

FOR MEDIA INQUIRES:
MC Services AG

Anne Hennecke / Brittney Sojeva
Mail: imcyse@mc-services.eu
Tel.: +49 (0) 211-529-252-14

SOURCE: Imcyse



View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/627591/Imcyse-Enters-into-Research-Collaboration-and-License-Agreement-for-its-ImotopeTM-Technology-with-Pfizer-in-Rheumatoid-Arthritis

News Provided by ACCESSWIRE via QuoteMedia

The Conversation (0)
Syringes with measurement markings overlaid with a fluctuating blue and white line graph.

Zymeworks Expands into Respiratory Market with Theravance Buyout

Oncology-focused drugmaker Zymeworks (NASDAQ:ZYME) has agreed to acquire Theravance Biopharma (NASDAQ:TBPH) for US$929 million in cash, expanding its portfolio into the respiratory segment.The acquisition delivers Zymeworks a 35 percent US net profit share in Yupelri, the first and only... Keep Reading...
Rows of multicolored test tubes with brown, purple, blue and green caps arranged neatly on a white rack.

Merck KGaA to Acquire Bio-Techne in US$11.3 Billion Deal

Merck KGaA (ETR:MRK,OTCPL:MKGAF) has agreed to acquire life sciences supplier Bio-Techne (NASDAQ:TECH) for US$11.3 billion in cash, marking the firm’s largest transaction in a decade.Under a definitive agreement announced on Thursday (June 25), Merck KGaA will pay US$73 per share, representing a... Keep Reading...
BriaCell Partners with Uneedle for Scalable Microneedle Administration of Bria-IMT

BriaCell Partners with Uneedle for Scalable Microneedle Administration of Bria-IMT

Agreement supports potential commercial readiness for Bria-IMT using Uneedle's proprietary microneedle technology for intradermal administration Technology is currently used in BriaCell's pivotal Phase 3 study and is designed to support faster, more convenient administration while enhancing the... Keep Reading...
Blank pill bottle spilling a variety of pharmaceutical pills and capsules.

5 Biggest Pharmaceutical ETFs for Investors in 2026

Experienced and novice investors alike may want to consider pharmaceutical exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as a way to gain exposure to the top pharma companies and the pharma market as a whole. Like all ETFs, pharmaceutical ETFs are a good option for those who want to trade a set of assets in the... Keep Reading...
InMed Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2026 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

InMed Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2026 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: INM) ("InMed" or the "Company"), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drug candidates for diseases with high unmet medical needs, today reports financial results for the third quarter of the fiscal year 2026... Keep Reading...
InMed Pharmaceuticals Amends Preferred Investment Options

InMed Pharmaceuticals Amends Preferred Investment Options

InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: INM) ("InMed" or the "Company"), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drug candidates for diseases with high unmet medical needs, today announces that it has entered into amending agreements in respect of... Keep Reading...

Interactive Chart

Latest Press Releases

Related News