Immutep, Monash University announce publication on human LAG-3

Immutep (IMMP) announces new findings published in Science Immunology that resolve how human lymphocyte activation gene 3 binds to its main ligand MHC Class II, also known as HLA Class II in humans. The publication is the first to show the crystal structure of a human LAG-3/HLA-II complex and provides a better foundation for development of blocking LAG-3 therapeutics, including Immutep’s anti-LAG-3 small molecule program. Under the oversight of Professor Jamie Rossjohn FAA FRS, at Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI), and in collaboration with Immutep, this breakthrough is an exemplar of the importance of industry-academia alliances. The LAG-3 immune control mechanism is the exclusive focus of Immutep across both cancer and autoimmunity and a clinically validated target of deep interest throughout the academic, medical, and industry sectors. The Crystal Structure of the Human LAG-3-HLA-DR1-Peptide Complex publication details how LAG-3 engages two HLA-II molecules. The data in the publication supports efti’s preferential binding to a subset of MHC-II molecules on antigen-presenting cells leading to their activation.