HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 June 2024 – Immuno Cure BioTech (“Immuno Cure”) is pleased to announce that its pipeline product, “Anti-Δ42PD1 antibody for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)”, has been sub-licensed to Orimmune BioTech Limited (“Orimmune”), which recently received significant funding from the Hong Kong SAR Government's Research, Academic and Industry Sector One Plus Scheme (“RAISe+ Scheme”) for the development and commercialization of antibody drugs for cancer and infectious diseases over the next five years.
From left to right: Dr Li Liu, Scientific Director, AIDS Institute, University of Hong Kong; Mr Tom Lau, Co-founder, Immunocure; Dr Percy Chan, Chairman and Co-founder, Immunocure; Professor Zhiwei Chen, Director, AIDS Institute, Chair of the Department of Microbiology, University of Hong Kong and Chief Scientific Advisor, Immunocure; Professor Nancy Kwan Man, Chair of the Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong; Mr Fred Lee, Senior Executive Director, Gobi Partners GBA; Dr Xia Jing, CEO and Co-founder, Immunocure.
Launched by the Innovation and Technology Council (ITC) in October 2023, the RAISe+ scheme aims to unlock the potential of local universities in transformation and commercialisation of R&D results, and promote collaboration between government, industry, universities and the research sector. The scheme will provide funding assistance of up to HK$100 million on a matching basis to each selected project.
The project, titled “Research and Development of Lead Δ42PD1 Antibody Drugs as Immunotherapy for Cancer and Infectious Diseases”, will be led by Professor Chen Chih-Wei, Director of the AIDS Institute and Chair Professor, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (HKU), in collaboration with the HKU team through the establishment of a start-up company, Orimmune. With the support of the HKU AIDS Institute, Immuno Cure, InnoHK's Centre for Virology, Vaccine and Therapeutics, and Gobi Partners GBA, the project team will advance lead antibody candidates against HCC from preclinical to Phase 2 clinical trials and identify Δ42PD1-related cancers and infectious diseases within the five-year RAISe+ project period.
∆42PD1 is a novel PD-1 isoform recently discovered by Professor Chen Chih-Wei and his research team at the University of Hong Kong. It is a key immune regulator that promotes the development of HCC and evades current immune checkpoint therapy. It is therefore an important therapeutic target for HCC, and the anti-∆42PD1 monoclonal antibody CH101 has great potential to be developed as a therapeutic agent for HCC. These research results led the University of Hong Kong to apply for and register two patents, which were exclusively licensed to Immuno Cure in 2018 and 2023, respectively.
“We are thrilled to receive this generous funding from the ITC's RAISe+ scheme to accelerate the clinical development of our anti-Δ42PD1 antibody in liver cancer and explore other potential clinical applications, bringing us one step closer to commercializing our novel Δ42PD1 inhibitor antibody drug,” said Professor Chan Chi-wai, Director of the AIDS Institute at the University of Hong Kong and Chief Scientific Advisor to Immuno Cure.
Dr. Xia Jin, CEO of Immunocure, said, “We are honoured and grateful to receive this RAISe+ scheme funding to support our translational process. This recognition further validates and supports the development of our anti-Δ42PD1 technology platform. This ITC funding will enable us to accelerate the development and implementation of this transformational initiative and establish us as an industry pioneer.”
Dr Percy Chan, Chairman of Immunocure, concluded: “We are proud to be an industry partner on this project. It is a great honour for us to be selected for the RAISe+ scheme and this achievement is a testament to our collective efforts, dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence. RAISe+ marks a significant milestone in the development of innovation in Hong Kong. We are grateful and excited for this opportunity given to us by ITC to enable this transformation and make an impact in our society.”
Hashtags: #ImmunoCure #MedicalBiology #MedicalBiology
https://www.immunocure.hk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/immuno-cure/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Immunotherapy
Immunocure is a clinical-stage biotechnology group based in Hong Kong Science Park that focuses on the research and development of immunotherapies for cancer, inflammatory and infectious diseases based on its patented PD-1 enhanced DNA vaccine and anti-Δ42PD1 antibody platform, with two DNA vaccine candidates currently in clinical trials.
For more information about Immuno Cure BioTech, please visit http://www.immunocure.hk
About the University of Hong Kong and the HKUMed AIDS Institute
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) was established in 1911 and is the first and oldest higher education institution in Hong Kong. HKU has a global reputation as a research-driven comprehensive university. The HKU AIDS Institute was established in November 2007 to take HKU in a new strategic direction to combat this global pandemic and to become the region's leader in AIDS research, education and prevention. Scientists at the AIDS Institute are committed to conducting basic and applied research that will advance our understanding of AIDS pathogenesis and the development of an effective AIDS vaccine. Currently, the Institute is leading a Hong Kong Thematic Research Program entitled “Enhancing Host Immunity for a Functional Cure of HIV-1”.
For more information about HKU and the HKU AIDS Institute, please click here.
https://www.hku.hk
and
Hong Kong Medical University
About the Center for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics
The Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics (CVVT) was established in the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park in collaboration with the University of Hong Kong in 2020. As a part of the Health@InnoHK initiative funded by the Innovation and Technology Council, CVVT aims to develop a critical knowledge base and translate impactful research findings into practical applications for infectious disease control and prevention.
For more information about the Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, please click here.
https://www.cvvt.hk/
About Gobi GBA
Gobi Partners GBA (Gobi GBA) was established in 2016 as part of Gobi Partners, a leading pan-Asia venture capital platform. Gobi GBA is a general partner of Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, LP (AEF) and AEF Greater Bay Area Fund LPF, and has strategic partnerships with other renowned financial institutions such as HSBC and Hang Seng Bank.
To date, Gobi GBA has invested in over 80 startups across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and fostered the growth of eight unicorns, including Airwallex, Amber, Animoca Brands, GoGoX and Prenetics.
Official website:
https://gobi-gba.vc/
