Ipsen to Acquire ImCheck Therapeutics to Boost Cancer Pipeline

Ipsen‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ agreed to a definitive share purchase agreement to acquire ImCheck Therapeutics, a French privately-held biotechnology company that develops next-generation immuno-oncology therapies. Through this acquisition, Ipsen is focusing on the lead program of ImCheck, ICT01, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody which targets BTN3A, a central immune-regulatory molecule that is common in various cancers.

ICT01 is only being tested in physically frail newly-diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are not candidates for standard chemotherapy. Such a group is of high risk and has, thus, great unmet medical needs. The program has been granted Orphan Drug Designations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as the European Medicines Agency intended for July 2025. ICT01 gives a new immunotherapy approach that can, in theory, extend the survival of AML patients and increase their quality of life, while at the same time the number of treatments available to them remains limited.

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David Loew, CEO of Ipsen, stated, “ImCheck Therapeutics acquisition is a great opportunity to broaden our oncology pipeline and strengthen our commitment to providing revolutionary therapies worldwide. In combination with the encouraging results from ICT01 and Ipsen’s worldwide know-how in product development and marketing, we will be able to move this program forward to Phase IIb/III trials in 2026.”

Pierre d’Epenoux, CEO of ImCheck, said, “The decision to join Ipsen is a perfect match as far as our mission is concerned. It’s a great opportunity to expedite our studies with ICT01 at the registrational stage and further market the product, acknowledging the groundbreaking science from the French academic sector and our team’s dedication.”

The deal not only complements Ipsen’s position as a leader in oncology but also demonstrates the company’s strategy to focus on the development of next-generation immunotherapies that target the most critical and unmet needs in cancer ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌care.