Immunocore’s Lead Asset Tebentafusp Gains Fast Track Designation for Metastatic Uveal Melanoma
OXFORD, England & CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Immunocore Limited, a leading T Cell Receptor (TCR) biotechnology company, today announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track Designation for its development program, the investigation of tebentafusp (IMCgp100) for the treatment of patients who are HLA-A*0201-positive with previously untreated, metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM).
The pivotal study IMCgp100-202 is a 2:1 randomized study of tebentafusp compared with Investigator’s Choice (dacarbazine, ipilimumab or pembrolizumab) in HLA-A*0201 positive adult patients with previously untreated mUM. The primary endpoint is a comparison of overall survival.
“For patients with metastatic uveal melanoma, the prognosis is poor and has not meaningfully changed in decades. Our goal is to test whether tebentafusp can prolong survival for these patients.” comments David Berman, Head of R&D of Immunocore. “We are delighted that tebentafusp has been granted Fast Track Designation.”
The FDA’s Fast Track program is designed to facilitate the development, and expedite the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. A drug granted Fast Track Designation may be eligible for several benefits, including more frequent meetings and communications with the FDA and, if relevant criteria are met, the potential for Accelerated Approval, Priority Review or Rolling Review of a Biologics License Application (BLA) or New Drug Application (NDA).
Tebentafusp has previously been granted orphan drug designation for melanoma by the US FDA and Promising Innovative Medicine designation under UK Early Access to Medicines Scheme.
– Ends –
About Immunocore
Immunocore, a leading T Cell Receptor (TCR) biotechnology company, working to create first-in-class biological therapies that have the potential to transform patients’ lives. The Company’s primary therapeutic focus is oncology and it also has programs in infectious and autoimmune diseases. Immunocore has a pipeline of proprietary and partnered programs in development and the lead program, tebentafusp (IMCgp100), has entered pivotal clinical studies as a treatment for patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. Collaboration partners include Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Lilly, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Immunocore is headquartered at Milton Park, Oxfordshire, UK, with an office outside Philadelphia, USA. The Company is privately held by a broad international investor base. For more information, please visit www.immunocore.com.
About Tebentafusp
Tebentafusp is a novel bi-specific biologic T cell redirection therapy that specifically targets the melanoma associated antigen gp100, and which is now in pivotal studies for mUM.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190403005412/en/
Contacts
Immunocore
Louise Conlon, External Affairs and Brand Communications Manager
T: +44 (0)1235 438600
E: info@immunocore.com
Follow on Twitter: @Immunocore
Consilium Strategic Communications (corporate and financial)
Mary-Jane Elliott/Jessica Hodgson/Chris Welsh
T: +44 (0)203 709 5700
E: Immunocore@consilium-comms.com