Immatics Achieves Clinical Proof-of-Concept of its Next-Generation TCR Bispecific (TCER®) Pipeline with Data on IMA402 (PRAME) and IMA401 (MAGEA4/8) and Announces Next Development Steps
Houston, Texas and Tuebingen, Germany, November 12, 2025 – Immatics N.V. (NASDAQ: IMTX, “Immatics” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company and the global leader in precision targeting of PRAME, today announced updated Phase 1a dose escalation data from both product candidates in its TCR Bispecifics (TCER®) pipeline, IMA402 PRAME Bispecific and IMA401 MAGEA4/8 Bispecific, as well as next steps for clinical development.
“Our off-the-shelf TCR Bispecifics have a proprietary next-generation format with half-life extension that is designed to combine optimized tolerability and potent anti-tumor activity while supporting patient-convenient dosing,” said Carsten Reinhardt, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Development Officer at Immatics. “We have now achieved clinical proof-of-concept for both product candidates and seen their potential to make a meaningful impact on patients with limited treatment options through deep and durable responses. We look forward to continuing to drive the development of our bispecifics to advance accessible, innovative therapies that can reach more patients and make a lasting difference in cancer care.”
“Today marks the beginning of a new phase for Immatics, expanding our reach beyond cell therapy and establishing a leading position in the TCR Bispecifics field, with a clear commitment to advancing the clinical development of our bispecifics pipeline,” said Harpreet Singh, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder of Immatics. “Building on these data, we are excited to evaluate our IMA402 PRAME Bispecific now across multiple targeted cancer patient populations with significant unmet treatment needs and in potentially synergistic combinations. We are especially enthusiastic about the potential for profound benefit by combining IMA402 with IMA401, our MAGEA4/8 Bispecific, in patients with squamous non-small cell lung cancer, a large, highly underserved and difficult-to-treat indication.”
Carsten Reinhardt, M.D., Ph.D., and Harpreet Singh, Ph.D., will present the complete TCR Bispecifics dataset and next development steps during a conference call and webcast today, November 12, at 8:30 am EST/2:30 pm CET. The presentation is accessible on the ‘Events & Presentations’ page on the Investors & Media section of the Company’s website.
IMA402 PRAME Bispecific Phase 1a Dose Escalation Data Summary
Patient Population: Advanced metastatic solid tumors with no available treatment options
As of the data cutoff on September 26, 2025, 80 heavily pre-treated patients (median of three prior systemic treatments) with recurrent and/or refractory solid tumors1 were treated with escalating dose levels of IMA402 monotherapy ranging from 0.02 mg to 30 mg. The safety population includes all 80 patients treated with IMA402. 29 patients received doses in the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D range) (10 to 30 mg) and, thereof, 20 patients were efficacy-evaluable2, including 14 patients with melanoma (12 cutaneous, 1 uveal, 1 unknown primary), 3 patients with ovarian carcinoma and 3 patients with other solid cancers3.
Safety: Treatment with IMA402 showed favorable tolerability
IMA402 showed favorable tolerability across a wide dose range in the 80 patients treated. The most frequent treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were expected and transient lymphopenia, consistent with the mechanism of action, and low-grade cytokine release syndrome (CRS): Grade 1: 33%, Grade 2: 5%, Grade 3: 0%, Grade 4: 1%. No ICANS or IMA402-related Grade 5 events occurred. Tolerability across all doses was consistent with tolerability at the RP2D range.
Phase 1a dose escalation in the monotherapy setting has been completed. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) has not been reached. The provisional RP2D range has been identified at 10 to 30 mg. The Phase 1b dose expansion is ongoing at two distinct doses within the RP2D range, and the evaluation of IMA402 in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor has been initiated.
Anti-tumor Activity and Durability: Deep and durable responses observed at RP2D range
IMA402 showed a clear dose-response relationship across three different dose groups.
IMA402 showed a clear dose-response relationship across three different dose groups.
/ Copyright: Immatics1 Melanoma includes cutaneous melanoma, melanoma of unknown primary, uveal melanoma; 2 Other indications include endometrioid carcinoma, synovial sarcoma and one patient with sqNSCLC at 1.6 mg; BL: baseline; BOR: best overall response; cORR: confirmed objective response rate; cPR: confirmed partial response; PD: progressive disease; PR: partial response; SD: stable disease; RECIST: response evaluation criteria in solid tumors; RP2D: recommended phase 2 dose
Several patients dosed with IMA402 at the RP2D range were observed to have deep and durable responses. All 6 confirmed objective responses were ongoing as of data cutoff, including two complete metabolic responses in cutaneous and uveal melanoma, ongoing at 8 and 18 months, respectively, as well as one confirmed partial response in ovarian carcinoma with -100% reduction in target lesions. All responders with ovarian carcinoma were platinum-resistant, and all responders with melanoma were immune checkpoint inhibitor-resistant.
BL: baseline; cPR: confirmed partial response; PD: progressive disease; PR: partial response; SD: stable disease
For patients across all indications treated within the RP2D range early, promising progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were observed:
- Median PFS was 4.8 months at a mFU of 6.8 months; 6-month PFS rate was 45%
- Median iPFS4 was not reached at a mFU of 6.3 months; 6-month iPFS rate was 58%
- Median OS was not reached at a mFU of 5.4 months; 1-year OS rate was 94%
Clinical Development Opportunities for IMA402 PRAME Bispecific
Based on the promising Phase 1a dose escalation data, Immatics is advancing its IMA402 PRAME Bispecific into Phase 1b dose expansion at two distinct doses to determine the final RP2D, both as a monotherapy and in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor with a focus on melanoma and gynecologic cancers in 2026. Depending on the outcomes of these Phase 1b cohorts, the Company would seek to convert existing Phase 1b cohorts into Phase 2 trials, which will then have the potential to become registration-directed. As part of its strategy to maximize the IMA402 opportunity, the Company is also exploring the option to initiate additional Phase 1b cohorts in 2026 to determine the monotherapy and combination potential of IMA402 with immune checkpoint inhibitors and standard of care in late as well as earlier treatment lines. As an additional opportunity, the Company is exploring the potential combination of IMA402 with IMA401 MAGEA4/8 in squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC) and potentially other solid tumor indications.
IMA401 MAGEA4/8 Bispecific Phase 1a Data Summary
Patient Population: Heavily pre-treated patients with a broad range of tumor types with no available treatment options
As of the data cutoff on September 26, 2025, 55 heavily pretreated patients (median of four prior systemic treatments) with recurrent and/or refractory solid tumors5 were treated with escalating dose levels of IMA401 ranging from 0.0066 mg to 2.5 mg with or without an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI, pembrolizumab). The safety population includes all 55 patients treated with IMA401 as a monotherapy (n=46) or in combination with pembrolizumab (n=9). 44 patients were treated with doses from 1 to 2.5 mg, and thereof 38 were evaluable for efficacy6. All efficacy-evaluable patients treated with IMA401 in combination with pembrolizumab (n=4) had progressed on prior immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments.
Safety: Treatment with IMA401 showed favorable tolerability at RP2D
The most frequent and relevant treatment-related adverse events (AEs) across all 55 patients treated with IMA401 were low-grade cytokine release syndrome (CRS) (24% G1, 11% G2, no ≥ Grade 3), mostly at the first step dose, expected and transient lymphopenia, consistent with the mechanism of action, as well as neutropenia, which was mostly transient, not re-occurring after resolution under continued treatment and well-manageable at the RP2D range of 1-2 mg. Notably, no ICANS was observed. The tolerability of IMA401 in combination with pembrolizumab is consistent with the tolerability of IMA401 monotherapy.
The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) has not been reached; three dose-limiting events were observed at 2.5 mg. The Phase 1a dose escalation has been completed, and the provisional RP2D range has been identified at 1-2 mg. At RP2D, the tolerability profile was favorable.
Anti-tumor Activity and Durability: Promising clinical activity and deep and durable responses were observed in patients with head and neck cancer, melanoma and lung cancer treated at ≥1 mg
Patients in three focus indications treated with ≥1 mg of IMA401 as a monotherapy or in combination with pembrolizumab demonstrated clinical activity:
- Head and neck cancer: cORR of 25% (2/8), disease control rate of 63% (5/8)
- Melanoma: cORR of 29% (2/7), disease control rate of 57% (4/7)
- Squamous non-small-cell lung cancer: 1 partial response at first scan for a heavily pre-treated, ICI-resistant patient, 1 patient with stable disease for >4 months and overall survival of approximately 16 months, 1 patient with progressive disease with shrinkage of liver target lesions
The duration of all confirmed responses was longer than 6 months post treatment, with the longest response ongoing over 2 years in a patient with advanced cutaneous melanoma.
Clinical Development Opportunity for IMA401 MAGEA4/8 Bispecific
Consistent with Immatics’ focus on advancing its PRAME franchise, the Company is exploring IMA401 in combination with IMA402, starting with squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC). Based on the clinical proof-of-concept of both bispecific candidates, including the initial promising activity of IMA401 in head and neck cancer and sqNSCLC, as well as preclinical proof-of-concept data, Immatics is well-positioned to assess the synergistic potential of combining two different bispecifics, IMA402 targeting PRAME and IMA401 targeting MAGEA4/8, with and without a checkpoint inhibitor. As over 90% of patients with sqNSCLC are positive for PRAME and/or MAGEA4/8, a potential IMA402 and IMA401 combination treatment could provide broad treatment coverage for this patient population. Approximately 60% of patients with sqNSCLC are positive for both targets, which could boost anti-tumor activity and counteract potential tumor escape mechanisms. The current addressable patient population for metastatic sqNSCLC in the United States and EU5 includes an estimated 40,000 patients per year.
About Immatics TCR Bispecifics (TCER®)
Immatics’ next-generation half-life extended TCER® molecules are antibody-like “off-the-shelf” biologics that leverage the body’s immune system by redirecting and activating T cells towards cancer cells expressing a specific tumor target. The design of the TCER® molecules enables the activation of any T cell in the body to attack the tumor, regardless of the T cells’ intrinsic specificity. Immatics’ proprietary biologics are engineered with two binding regions: a TCR domain and a T cell recruiter domain. The TCER® format is designed to maximize efficacy while minimizing toxicities in patients. It contains a high-affinity TCR domain that is designed to bind specifically to the cancer target peptide on the cell surface presented by an HLA molecule. The antibody-derived, low-affinity T cell recruiter domain is directed against the TCR/CD3 complex and recruits a patient’s T cells to the tumor to attack the cancer cells. With a low-affinity recruiter aiming for optimized biodistribution and enrichment of the molecule at the tumor site instead of the periphery, TCER® are engineered to reduce the occurrence of immune-related adverse events, such as cytokine release syndrome. In addition, the TCER® format consists of an Fc-part conferring half-life extension, stability, and manufacturability. TCER® are “off-the-shelf” biologics and thus immediately available for patient treatment. They can be distributed through standard pharmaceutical supply chains and provide the opportunity to reach a large patient population without the need for specialized medical centers.
About PRAME
PRAME is a target expressed in more than 50 cancers. Immatics is the global leader in precision targeting of PRAME and has the broadest PRAME franchise with the most PRAME indications and modalities. The Immatics PRAME franchise currently includes three product candidates, two therapeutic modalities and a combination therapy that target PRAME: anzu-cel (IMA203) PRAME cell therapy, IMA203CD8 PRAME cell therapy (GEN2), IMA402 PRAME bispecific, anzu-cel in combination with Moderna’s PRAME cell therapy enhancer.
About IMA402 PRAME Bispecific
IMA402 is a molecule from Immatics’ TCR Bispecifics (TCER®) pipeline directed against an HLA-A*02:01-presented peptide derived from PRAME
IMA402 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 trial in patients with solid tumors expressing PRAME. IMA402 is part of Immatics’ strategy to leverage the full clinical potential of targeting PRAME, one of the most promising targets for TCR-based therapies.
About IMA401 MAGEA4/8 Bispecific
IMA401 is a molecule from Immatics’ TCR Bispecifics pipeline that targets an HLA-A*02:01-presented peptide derived from two different cancer-associated proteins, melanoma-associated antigen 4 and/or 8 (“MAGEA4/8”). The MAGEA4/8 peptide has been identified and validated by Immatics’ proprietary mass spectrometry-based target discovery platform XPRESIDENT® and is presented at a 5-fold higher target density (copy number per tumor cell) than the MAGEA4 peptide targeted in other clinical trials.
IMA401 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 basket trial in patients with MAGEA4/8-positive solid tumors. The MAGEA4/8 peptide has a high prevalence in several solid tumor indications such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), squamous cell non-small cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC), as well as melanoma and other solid cancer types.
About Immatics
Immatics is committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients with cancer. We are the global leader in precision targeting of PRAME, a target expressed in more than 50 cancers. Our cutting-edge science and robust clinical pipeline form the broadest PRAME franchise with the most PRAME indications and modalities, spanning TCR T-cell therapies and TCR bispecifics.
Further information
For more information, please contact:
Media
Trophic Communications
Phone: +49 151 74416179
immatics@trophic.eu
Immatics N.V.
Jordan Silverstein
Head of Strategy
Phone: +1 346 319-3325
InvestorRelations@immatics.com
https://investors.immatics.com/news-releases/news-release-details/immatics-achieves-clinical-proof-concept-its-next-generation-tcr