17 February 2021 - - The first patient has been dosed in a Phase 2 study of NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa), a novel long-acting human interleukin-7, in combination with Bristol Myers Squibb's Opdivo (nivolumab), a PD-1 blocking antibody, versus nivolumab monotherapy, US-based T cell-focused biopharmaceutical company NeoImmuneTech, Inc said.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate preliminary anti-tumor activity of NT-I7 and nivolumab, compared with nivolumab alone, in patients with previously treated advanced or metastatic gastric, gastro-esophageal junction, or esophageal adenocarcinoma, and to establish safety and tolerability of the combination in these patients.

The results of this Phase 2, randomized, proof-of-principle study will be used to further clinical development of this combination in selected clinical settings and tumor types.

NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa) is the only clinical-stage long-acting human IL-7, and is being developed in oncologic and immunologic indications, where T cell amplification and increased functionality may provide clinical benefit.

IL-7 is a fundamental cytokine for naïve and memory T cell development and for sustaining immune response to chronic antigens (as in cancer) or foreign antigens (as in infectious diseases). NT-I7 exhibits favorable PK/PD and safety profiles, making it an ideal combination partner.

NT-I7 is being studied in multiple clinical trials in solid tumors and as vaccine adjuvant. Studies are being planned for testing in hematologic malignancies, additional solid tumors and other immunology-focused indications.

NeoImmuneTech, Inc. is a clinical-stage T cell-focused biopharmaceutical company, dedicated to expanding the horizon of immuno-oncology and enhancing immunity to infectious diseases.

NIT is led by the scientific founder and inventor of NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa) and a strong executive team with rich industry experience at companies such as Novartis, BMS, GSK, Pfizer, Amgen, Eli Lilly, MedImmune/AstraZeneca and PwC.

NIT is expanding rapidly in personnel and operations, as well as partnering with industry and academic leaders to investigate NT-I7 as monotherapy and in combination with various immunotherapeutics.