Benzinga | Nov 2, 2021 10:41AM EDT

Immutep Announced Monday it was Granted Chinese Patent for Eftilagimod Alpha, a Soluble Lag-3 Protein, in Combination With a Chemotherapy Agent

Immutep Limited(NASDAQ:IMMP) is pleased to announcethe grant of a new patent (numberZL 201610221687)entitled "Use of recombinantLAG-3or the derivatives thereof for eliciting a monocyte immune response" by the Chinese Patent Office. The patent forms part of a broad and growing portfolio of patent families for the Company'slead product candidiateeftilagimod alpha ("efti" or "IMP321") in key global markets including China.

This new Chinese patent follows the grant of the corresponding European, Japanese and United States patents announced previously. The claims of the new patent relate to methods of use of (a) Immutep'sefti which is aLAG-3fusion protein(LAG-3Ig) and (b) a chemotherapy agent in combination for the manufacture of a preparation for the treatment of cancer. The patent provides protection in mainland China and the expiry date is 3 October 2028.

The new patent is owned by Immutep S.A.S. and exclusively licensed to Immutep's partner in China, EOC Pharma ("EOC").

Immutep CEO, Marc Voigt, noted: "We are making good progress building our global patent estate around our LAG-3 development pipeline, including lead candidate efti which has delivered promising clinical data in various settings. We will continue to make these important investments and are especially pleased to be working so closely with our Chinese partner, EOC Pharma, as they expand their clinical development of efti for the Chinese market."

EOC Pharma CEO, Xiaoming Zou, said: "We are investing in the development of efti for the local market in China and are very pleased with the steps being taken by our partner, Immutep, to build a broad portfolio of patent families around this unique candidate. These are important and ongoing steps in the complex process of bringing innovative medicines to the market for patients."