Eli Lilly and Company has entered a preclinical research collaboration with ImaginAb to examine new T-cell-based immuno-oncology therapies.
As part of the collaboration, ImaginAb will conduct preclinical research using its immune imaging agent, IAB22M2C (a clinical anti-human CD8 probe), to detect T-cell trafficking, redirection and infiltration in response to Lilly oncology molecules.
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In addition, ImaginAb will maintain full rights to its imaging agents used as part of the project.
According to the research, pre-existing CD8-positive T-cells, called cytotoxic T-cells, are associated with favourable clinical response to anti-PD-1 therapy in melanoma.
IAB22M2C, a PET-based imaging agent, detects CD8-positive T-cells and provides a whole-body picture of immune response, potentially providing better patient selection and mechanistic understanding of immune-modulating treatments.
Lilly oncology research vice-president Greg Plowman said: "This collaboration demonstrates Lilly’s commitment to advancing biomarker-driven cancer therapies.
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By GlobalData"ImaginAb has developed a highly specific and novel approach for visualising a patient’s immune response, and we are excited to explore applications of this technology as part of our immuno-oncology drug development efforts."
The oncology pipeline of Lilly includes several molecules that impact the immune system, in addition to several other agents being tested in a wide range of cancers, including breast, colorectal, gastric, skin, bladder, brain, pancreatic, liver and lung cancer.
ImaginAb chief business officer Roger Crystal said: "Selecting the proper patients for immunotherapy continues to be a major challenge for the new wave of cancer therapies coming to market.
"Same-day CD8 imaging holds tremendous potential in helping to guide treatment for cancer immunotherapies, and we look forward to pioneering this approach with Lilly."
Earlier this month, Lilly discontinued the phase III trial of the investigational medicine evacetrapib after it proved inefficient.
The company said that the drug was being explored for treatment of high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Lilly discontinued the study based on the recommendation of an independent data-monitoring committee, which claimed the drug was ineffective.
The committee’s recommendation was given as per data obtained from periodic reviews, suggesting there was a low probability that the study would achieve its primary endpoint based on results to date.
