EXTON, PA — Immunome, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMNM) announced the recent formation of an advisory board, comprised of Dr. John Lambert and Dr. Anthony Tolcher, to prioritize selection of novel targets for antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) and T cell redirection (TCR) modalities.
Antibody-drug conjugate and T cell redirection are two classes of treatment modalities that are gaining significant clinical and commercial importance, and require highly selective tumor targeting. Immunome’s Discovery Engine is highlighting novel target classes, such as proteins abnormally expressed on the cancer cell surface, that appear uniquely tumor selective.
“The level of tumor selective expression of the cancer targets is a critical aspect in the successful development of both antibody drug conjugates and T cell redirection,” said John Lambert, Ph.D., former Chief Scientific Officer of ImmunoGen and ADC specialist. “To fully realize the value of recent developments in platforms related to both of those modalities will require identification of next-generation targets like those being found by Immunome’s Discovery Engine.”
“There has been a sharp increase in the number of clinical studies evaluating ADC and TCR products in cancer, fueled by recent FDA approval of these modalities. I believe expanding the range of novel targets may offer benefits to a wider range of cancer types and patient populations,” commented Anthony Tolcher, M.D., CEO and Founder, Director of Clinical Research at NEXT Oncology. “Based on my experience serving on Immunome’s oncology Scientific Advisory Board, I believe the platform has potential to yield targets suitable for these modalities. I am excited to assist Immunome in the development of new ADC and T cell engagers.”
“Our Discovery Engine continues to generate novel insights into cancer biology including abnormally expressed targets, a unique class of targets that have potential for high tumor selectivity,” said Matthew Robinson, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer of Immunome. “We believe that this new advisory board will provide fundamental guidance on prioritizing amongst those targets for use in ADCs and TCR modalities.”
John Lambert, Ph.D. has been in the antibody-drug conjugate field since joining ImmunoGen in 1987, serving as CSO from 2008-2015. During his tenure with ImmunoGen, the company invented the technology that led to the approved ADCs Kadcyla and Elahere, as well as many other candidates that entered clinical development. He has authored or co-authored over 120 scientific publications.
Anthony Tolcher, M.D. is a medical oncologist and key opinion leader in the field of developing and running early-stage clinical trials for oncology indications. He is a co-founder of NEXT Oncology and was previously a co-founder of South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics (START), both of which are clinical research organizations focused on first-in-human clinical trials. He is dedicated to the development of new anti-cancer agents for patients for whom current cancer therapies are no longer working.
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