#USA #Immunitas Therapeutics #IMT-380 #Anti-CD161 #Niagara Falls, New York

Immunitas Therapeutics Unveils Breakthrough Data on IMT-380 for Autoimmunity at FASEB Conference

At the prestigious FASEB Science Research Conference held from July 27-31, 2025, in Niagara Falls, New York, Immunitas Therapeutics presented groundbreaking findings regarding its first-in-class anti-CD161 antibody, IMT-380. This innovative therapy is designed to treat autoimmune diseases by selectively targeting and depleting pathogenic CD161+ T cells, which are known to drive inflammation in various autoimmune conditions.

Significance of CD161+ T Cells in Autoimmunity

Recent studies have identified CD161-expressing T cell subsets as significant contributors to autoimmune diseases. These cells play a critical role in the production of inflammatory cytokines, which exacerbate conditions such as Crohn's disease, psoriasis, and other systemic autoimmune disorders. Traditional treatments often involve broad immunosuppression, which can lead to severe side effects and sometimes fails to prevent disease progression due to pathogenic T cells shifting to produce alternative pro-inflammatory cytokines. IMT-380 aims to address these challenges precisely by targeting CD161 as a stable marker on these inflammatory cells.

Dr. Annalisa D'Andrea, Chief Scientific Officer at Immunitas, expressed enthusiasm about the implications of the findings, stating that the research represents a major advancement in the treatment process for autoimmune diseases. She remarked, "Our deep expertise in CD161 biology has enabled us to expand the scope of our work beyond oncology and advance differentiated antibody therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune diseases."

Efficacy of IMT-380

The preclinical data presented demonstrated remarkable effectiveness of IMT-380 in not only depleting CD161+ T cells in vitro but also displaying significant results in in vivo models. Notably, in a non-human primate model of psoriasis, administration of IMT-380 resulted in substantial depletion of CD161+ cells, markedly improving the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores. Additionally, analyses of skin biopsies indicated a notable reduction in the expression of inflammatory mediators, further substantiating the therapeutic potential of IMT-380.

Key Data Points According to the Research:

• - CD161+ T cells produce elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines like IL-17A, IFN-γ, IL-22, TNF-α, and GM-CSF, which are critical in driving inflammation.
• - The presence of CD161+ T cells was significantly enriched in inflamed tissues of Crohn's disease patients, indicating their crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
• - Depletion of CD161+ T cells in vitro resulted in a significant reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression.

Presentation Highlights

During the conference, the following sessions highlighted the findings of IMT-380:

• - Title: IMT-380: A First-in-Class Anti-CD161 Antibody Targeting Pathogenic T Cells in Autoimmune Diseases
• - Presenting Author: Dr. Shruti Malu, Senior Director of Discovery
• - Poster Session Time: July 30, 7:40-9:40 PM ET
• - Short Talk Session: July 31, 10:40-10:55 AM ET, focusing on cell-based therapies for autoimmune diseases.

The Path Forward

The results from this research indicate that IMT-380 could revolutionize the treatment of autoimmune diseases, offering a more targeted approach that avoids the pitfalls of broad immunosuppression. This could pave the way for a new class of therapeutics aimed at not only managing but potentially reversing the effects of chronic autoimmune conditions.

As Immunitas continues its commitment to advancing novel antibody-based therapies, it aims to enrich the lives of patients suffering from both autoimmune diseases and various types of cancer. This research is part of a broader initiative that involves extensive funding and collaboration with leading institutions, positioning Immunitas at the forefront of immunotherapy advancements. For more information about Immunitas Therapeutics and its ongoing projects, please visit www.immunitastx.com.