Inimmune
Harnessing the Power of Innate Immunity

The human body, a marvel of biology, possesses an amazing capacity for self-healing. Immunotherapy breakthroughs are unlocking this potential, offering hope for conquering diseases like cancer, allergies, and infections.

At the forefront of this transformative wave stands Inimmune, a pioneering biotechnology company. Its portfolio of groundbreaking therapies leverages the innate immune system to address pressing medical challenges, spanning from oncology and allergic disorders to infectious diseases.

Fostering a Unique Public-Private Relationship

Inimmune was founded by Dr. Kendal Ryter, Dr. Jay T. Evans, Dr. David Burkhart, and Dr. Helene Bazin-Lee after their tenure at GSK Vaccines. They established a public-private partnership with the University of Montana, a move that has yielded remarkable results. Since 2016, the company has secured approximately $150 million in NIH grant funding dedicated to the advancement of immunotherapies. As part of the NIH process, Inimmune has collaborated with a variety of prestigious universities across the U.S., empowering it to spearhead vaccine and immunotherapy developments.

“Prior to my joining, the company’s focus was on research, supporting universities, pioneering new vaccine types through the research and development of novel vaccine adjuvant systems, while also enhancing our internal research capabilities. As part of the continued growth of Inimmune we have identified crucial disciplines required for advancing our therapeutic programs to the clinic, which included filing INDs and orchestrating clinical trials,” says Dr. Alan F. Joslyn, CEO of Inimmune.

A Strategic Growth Trajectory

The company’s growth trajectory since its inception has been driven by the symbiotic blend of its unique public-private partnership model, adeptness in securing venture capital, and its understanding of cutting-edge science in immunotherapy.

It has successfully raised $22 million in a Series A funding round, facilitated by Two Bear Capital, a Montana-based venture fund. This capital infusion was critical in the company’s transition from a research-oriented biotech firm to a clinical-stage entity.

The capital empowered the company to expand its development team and set up its subsidiary in Australia—a decision underpinned by factors like the advantageous R&D tax credits, favorable exchange rates, and a regulatory environment conducive to early-stage biotechs.

Unlocking the Immune System’s Power

Dedicated to modifying immune responses across various therapeutic categories, Inimmune addresses a wide range of clinical conditions. Notably, its flagship allergy program is advancing the development of INI 2004, an “in-situ vaccine” tailored for the treatment of allergic rhinitis through delivery of a Toll Like Receptor 4 agonist in a specialized intranasal lipid formulation.

This immunotherapeutic candidate holds promise as a pioneering disease-modifying treatment for allergies, representing a paradigm shift in the global approach to allergic rhinitis management.

The allergy program has progressed through the phase 1b stage, focusing on the evaluation of multiple ascending doses. Throughout this phase, participants with ragweed allergies are subjected to intermittent exposure to ragweed allergens and multiple doses of INI2004, allowing researchers to assess biomarker profiles and gauge symptom improvement.
Inimmune has recently forged a research collaboration with Intrommune Therapeutics, a leading health solutions provider for individuals suffering from food allergy, to explore the integration of the disease-modifying INI 2004 into a peanut allergy oral delivery system. This approach demonstrates its commitment to innovative solutions for allergy management.

In its oncology program, Inimmune is developing a unique treatment for solid tumors in cancer, using toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist, INI-4001. TLR is a protein receptor on the surface of certain cells that recognizes pathogens and triggers immune responses. The company has developed an agonist that stimulates TLR 7/8 in a lipid formulation that enhances the immune system’s ability to safely recognize and target cancer cells.

Inimmune currently administers the agonist to patients who have progressed on checkpoint inhibitors. The approach includes temporarily discontinuing the inhibitors and initiating INI-4001 dose escalation. If patient’s tumor continues to grow while on INI4001 monotherapy, the checkpoint inhibitors will be reintroduced to assess the effectiveness of the combination. This process helps explore monotherapy and combination approaches in patients.

Breakthroughs Shaping a Brighter Tomorrow

Looking ahead, Inimmune aims for continuous growth and innovation. The company anticipates the release of clinical data from its multiple ascending dose study allergy program of INI2004 in the second quarter of the year. This data will play a pivotal role in securing a substantial Series B financing round, allowing it to drive the clinical assets into later-stage trials. The company’s overarching objective is to solidify strategic partnerships as clinical data on its assets are generated. The company is also working on new vaccines to stop opioid overdoses and potentially prevent relapses in former opioid addicts by joining forces with another organization.

When I joined, I worked in liaison with the executive team to identify crucial disciplines required for advancing our therapeutic programs, including filing INDs and orchestrating clinical trials

Fueled by a close-knit team of chemists, immunologists, and formulation scientists, Inimmune seeks partners and investors who align with its vision of creating innovative, safe immunotherapeutics. Utilizing its technology, assets, expertise, and favorable IP position, the company is poised to emerge as a leader in immunotherapy, vaccine adjuvants, and immuno-oncology therapeutics.

“Breaking conventional barriers, our early-stage biotech venture has exceeded expectations by surpassing an annual revenue threshold of $7 million. This success is a testament to our innovative revenue-generating strategy, empowering us to independently cover critical expenses like salaries, rent, and insurance through our NIH partnerships. By doing so, we alleviate financial pressure on our investors while solidifying our position as pioneers in the industry,” says Dr. Joslyn.