Immune-Onc Therapeutics

In 2021, LLS made an equity investment in Immune-Onc Therapeutics. Immune-Onc is a clinical-stage cancer immunotherapy company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel myeloid checkpoint inhibitors for cancer patients. The company’s work builds on early research by Chengcheng (Alec) Zhang, Ph.D. at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center that was also funded by LLS. Checkpoint inhibitors work by ‘releasing the brake’ from the body’s own immune cells so that they can effectively attack cancer cells.

The company aims to translate its unique scientific insights in myeloid cell biology and immune inhibitory receptors to discover and develop first-in-class biotherapeutics that disarm immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. Immune-Onc has a promising pipeline with a current focus on targeting the Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor subfamily B (LILRB) of myeloid checkpoints. Their lead candidate, called IO-202, has entered a phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of advanced acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (NCT0437243). IO-202 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that antagonizes LILRB4 with high binding affinity and specificity. It has broad potential in both blood cancers and solid tumors. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted IO-202 Orphan Drug Designation status for treatment of AML in October 2020.

In addition to their lead drug candidate, Immune-Onc has three other programs at the preclinical stage.

For more information about Immune-Onc, visit www.immune-onc.com.

Recent News

• May 25 2021 - In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, LLS is highlighting the stories of volunteers, healthcare professionals, researchers, patients, survivors, and advocates from across our community. Recently, we caught up with Charlene Liao, Ph.D., Co-Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Immune-Onc Therapeutics, a new LLS Therapy Acceleration Program® (LLS TAP) partner.
• April 10, 2021 - announced the first public presentation of preclinical data for its first-in-class myeloid checkpoint inhibitor, IO-202, an LILRB4 antagonist antibody, in solid tumors. The electronic poster will be presented as part of the Immune Checkpoints Session of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2021 (#AACR21), taking place virtually April 10-15, 2021.
• March 30, 2021 - announced the closing of a $73 million Series B1 and B2 financing. The round was led by Oceanpine Capital with participation from additional new investors including Octagon Capital and Sphera Healthcare, and existing investors, including Northern Light Venture Capital and Vivo Capital. In addition, the company received a strategic capital investment from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Therapy Acceleration Program® (LLS TAP), directed toward advancing the company’s work to treat blood cancers.