Immutep And Dr. Reddy’s Strike Major Licensing Deal For Global Development And Commercialisation Of Efti Outside North America, Europe, Japan And Greater China

Immutep Limited, a late-stage immunotherapy company focused on cancer and autoimmune diseases, has entered into a major strategic collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories through their respective subsidiaries, Immutep SAS and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories SA. Under this new exclusive licensing agreement, Dr. Reddy’s will develop and commercialise Immutep’s lead product candidate, Eftilagimod Alfa (efti), in all global markets outside North America, Europe, Japan, and Greater China.

Efti is Immutep’s innovative first-in-class immunotherapy designed to directly stimulate the immune system to fight cancer. It is currently being evaluated in a registrational Phase III trial, TACTI-004 (KEYNOTE-F91), for first-line treatment of advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Beyond lung cancer, efti is also being investigated in several other cancer types, including head and neck cancer, breast cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma, making it a versatile candidate with broad therapeutic potential.

As part of the agreement, Immutep will receive substantial financial benefits. The company will receive an upfront payment of USD 20 million (approximately AUD 30.2 million) from Dr. Reddy’s. It may also earn additional regulatory, development, and commercial milestone payments of up to USD 349.5 million (around AUD 528.4 million), along with double-digit royalties from future product sales in the licensed territories. Importantly, Immutep maintains global manufacturing rights for efti and will supply the therapy to Dr. Reddy’s for use in the licensed regions. The company also continues to hold full commercial rights in key pharmaceutical markets, including North America, Europe, and Japan, ensuring it remains well-positioned to benefit from future commercial growth.

M.V. Ramana, CEO of Branded Markets (India & Emerging Markets) at Dr. Reddy’s, noted that this collaboration aligns with the company’s ongoing commitment to bringing innovative, first-in-class treatment options to cancer patients. He highlighted efti’s strong potential, particularly in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) and chemotherapy for first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, as well as its promise across multiple other cancer indications.

Marc Voigt, CEO of Immutep, stated that the agreement represents an important milestone for the company and reinforces confidence in efti’s potential. He said that Dr. Reddy’s broad capabilities and presence in the licensed markets make them a strong partner to expand access to this novel therapy. Voigt added that the partnership not only enables Immutep to unlock significant value in new regions but also allows the company to retain strategic control in key global markets, supporting long-term growth and future value creation.