Clinical Trials

Date: 2015-06-23

Type of information: Initiation of the trial

phase: 2

Announcement: initiation of the trial

Company: BMS (USA - NY)

Product: lirilumab and rituximab

Action mechanism:

monoclonal antibody/immune checkpoint inhibitor. Lirilumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody (mAb) that blocks the interaction between Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) on NK cells and their ligands. Blocking these receptors facilitates activation of NK cells and, potentially, destruction of tumor cells. Lirilumab is licensed to BMS. As part of the agreement between Innate Pharma and BMS, BMS holds exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize lirilumab and related compounds blocking KIR receptors, for all indications. Under the agreement, Innate Pharma conducts the development of lirilumab through Phase II in AML.
Rituximab is a therapeutic monoclonal antibody that binds to the CD20 antigen on the surface of normal and malignant B-cells. It then recruits the body’s natural defenses to attack and kill the marked B-cells. Stem cells (B-cell progenitors) in bone marrow lack the CD20 antigen, allowing healthy B-cells to regenerate after treatment and return to normal levels within several months.

Disease: chronic lymphocytic leukemia, small lymphocytic leukemia

Therapeutic area: Cancer - Oncology

Country: USA

Trial details:

The goal of this clinical research study is to learn if lirilumab in combination with rituximab can help to control either CLL or SLL. The safety of the drug combination will also be studied. (NCT02481297)

Latest news:

• On October 14, 2015, Innate Pharma announced that it has received a US$5 million milestone payment from BMS as part of the lirilumab licencing agreement. This payment was triggered by the dosing of a first patient in a Phase II trial of lirilumab in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed/ refractory or high-risk untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).