Benzinga | Jun 1, 2021 09:05AM EDT

Immutep, Merck Germany Team Up for Eftilagimod/Bintrafusp Combo Trial In Solid Tumors

* Immutep Limited (NASDAQ:IMMP) has announced a new collaboration and supply agreement with Germany-based Merck KGaA (OTC:MKGAF) for a Phase 1/2a INSIGHT-005 trial in patients with solid tumors.

* The trial will evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of Immutep's lead product candidate, eftilagimod alpha (efti or IMP321), in combination with bintrafusp alfa (M7824).

* Bintrafusp alfa is an investigational bifunctional fusion protein immunotherapy jointly developed by Merck Germany and GlaxoSmithKline Plc (NYSE:GSK).

* Bintrafusp alfa aims to block two immunosuppressive pathways, TGF-? and PD-L1, while efti activates antigen-presenting cells via the LAG-3 -- MHC II pathway.

* The first patient will be enrolled in mid-2021, with the first data expected in early 2022.

* Price Action: IMMP shares are up 7.3% at $5.4 during the premarket session on the last check Tuesday.