Immunocore

Immunocore is a global clinical-stage biotechnology company,[1] based in Oxfordshire, which researches and develops biological drugs using soluble T-cell receptor technology.

Immunocore
TypePublic
Nasdaq: IMCR
IndustryBiotechnology
Founded2008 (2008) in Oxford, England
FoundersDr. Bent Jakobsen and James Noble
Headquarters
Abingdon-on-Thames 
,
United Kingdom 
Key people
Bahija Jallal, PhD, CEO; Sir John Bell, Chairman; Brian Di Donato, CFO and Head of Strategy; David Berman, MD, PhD, Head of R&D
ProductsCancer drugs/treatments using T-Cell receptor technology
Websitewww.immunocore.com

History

Immunocore was founded in 2008 as a spinout of MediGene AG, which acquired Avidex in 2006. The core technology was spun out of Oxford University in 1999 by Dr Bent Jakobsen into Avidex Ltd.[2]

In July 2015, Immunocore announced the completion of an initial $320 million private financing round, Europe's largest ever financing round by a private life sciences company.[3] Fidelity Management & Research Company, Woodford Investment Management, Malin Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company, and RTW Investments all participated in this fundraise along with other unnamed investors and existing shareholders.[4]

In September 2017, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a $40 million investment in Immunocore to accelerate the development of Immunocore’s ImmTAV and ImmTAB therapeutics.[5]

In March 2020, Immunocore announced the closing of its $130 million Series B private financing round.[6] In January 2021, Immunocore announced the closing of its $75 million Series C round.[7] Immunocore went public in February 2021, with closing announced on February 9, 2021.[8]

Scientific background
A schematic representation of the mechanism of action for ImmTACs

T cell receptors (TCRs) are molecules found on the surface of T lymphocytes (or T cells) and play various roles in the immune system. TCRs are often cited as aiding in recognising foreign antigens being presented by cells which have been infected by viruses or intracellular bacteria. Immunocore has developed a line of biologic medicines by combining engineered, cancer-recognising, soluble TCRs with immune activating complexes that direct the immune system to kill cancer cells. These drugs are commonly referred to as immune-mobilising monoclonal TCRs against cancer (ImmTAC molecules).[9]

Clinical pipeline

IMCgp100 (Tebentafusp)

Tebentafusp is Immunocore's wholly owned lead programme. [10] On November 23, 2020, Immunocore announced a Phase 3 data readout for tebentafusp in the field of immuno-oncology.[10]

Other Pipeline Programs

Immunocore's other pipeline programs include IMC-C103C, an ImmTAC candidate in Phase 1 partnered with Genentech for the treatment of solid tumors harboring MAGE-A4 mutations, and IMC-F106C, an ImmTAC candidate which is also in Phase 1 studies for solid tumors with PRAME mutations. Earlier programs include candidates for the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Corporate governance

Professor Sir John Bell serves as Immunocore's chairman of the board. Dr. Bahija Jallal is chief executive officer and director of the board.[11]

See also

References
  1. "Transformational Science that Transforms Lives - Immunocore". www.immunocore.com. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  2. "The business of science". Oxford Mail.
  3. Halpin, Padraic. "Immunocore raises $320 million in record financing round". U.K. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  4. "Immunocore announces Fidelity's Participation in $320M Financing". Immunocore.
  5. "Immunocore and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Collaborate to Develop Immunotherapies for Infectious Diseases". Immunocore.
  6. Limited, Immunocore (2 March 2020). "Immunocore Secures $130 Million Series B Financing". GlobeNewswire News Room. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  7. "Immunocore announces closing of $75.0 Million Series C round". Immunocore.
  8. "Immunocore Announces Closing of $312.1 Million Aggregate Financing, Consisting of $297.1 Million Initial Public Offering, Full Exercise of Option to Purchase Additional ADSs and $15.0 Million Concurrent Private Placement". Immunocore.
  9. Liddy, Nathaniel; Bossi, Giovanna; Adams, Katherine J; Lissina, Anna; Mahon, Tara M; Hassan, Namir J; Gavarret, Jessie; Bianchi, Frayne C; Pumphrey, Nicholas J (6 May 2012). "Monoclonal TCR-redirected tumor cell killing". Nature Medicine. 18 (6): 980–987. doi:10.1038/nm.2764. ISSN 1546-170X. PMID 22561687.
  10. "Immunocore's tebentafusp demonstrates superior overall survival compared to investigator's choice in a Phase 3 clinical trial of patients with previously untreated metastatic uveal melanoma". Immunocore.
  11. "Board of Directors". Immunocore.
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