Immuneering (IMRX) Leerink Global Healthcare Conference 2026 summary

Strategic vision and innovation

• Focus on improving overall survival in First-Line pancreatic cancer through a new class of cancer medicines called Deep Cyclic Inhibitors, which employ three synergistic mechanisms: durable tumor shrinkage, preservation of body mass, and minimization of side effects.

• Atebimetinib, the lead Deep Cyclic Inhibitor, targets MEK in the MAP kinase pathway and is positioned as a triple threat to cancer, with broad applicability beyond pancreatic cancer, including ongoing studies in lung cancer and a robust preclinical pipeline.

• The approach departs from traditional continuous pathway inhibition, instead using intermittent, high-intensity dosing to reduce resistance and improve tolerability by sparing healthy cells.

• MEK inhibitors, particularly in this cyclic format, have demonstrated the ability to counteract cachexia, a major contributor to mortality in pancreatic cancer, by interfering with tumor-induced muscle breakdown.

• The ultimate goal is to transform cancer into a chronic, manageable disease, similar to the evolution of HIV treatment.

Clinical data and program progress

• Phase II data for atebimetinib in combination with modified gemcitabine Nab-Paclitaxel showed 64% overall survival at 12 months in First-Line pancreatic cancer, nearly double the 35% benchmark from standard care.

• Median progression-free survival reached 8.5 months versus 5.5 months for chemotherapy alone, with robust secondary endpoints and high disease control rates.

• 84% of patients were stable or gained weight at 3 months, and adverse events above grade 3 were limited to anemia and neutropenia, both attributed to chemotherapy, indicating excellent tolerability.

• About half of patients proceeded to subsequent therapies, mostly chemotherapy, consistent with literature for pancreatic cancer.

• The pivotal phase III MAPKeeper 301 trial is fully funded, enrolling 510 all-comer patients, with first patient dosing guided for mid-year and overall survival as the primary endpoint.

Competitive landscape and future directions

• Atebimetinib’s advantages include broad eligibility (no biomarker enrichment), strong survival and tolerability data, and applicability to older patient populations.

• The competitive landscape is intensifying, with another phase III study (RMC-6236-003) enrolling, but atebimetinib’s data on survival, weight gain, and side effect profile are highlighted as differentiators.

• Combination strategies are being pursued, including with mutation-specific RAS inhibitors and Regeneron’s Libtayo in lung cancer, with first patient dosing in the latter expected in the second half.

• Updates on the expanded pancreatic cancer cohort (over 50 patients) are planned for the first half, with data trending consistently with initial results.

• The MAP kinase pathway’s role in about half of all cancers underpins a broad set of future opportunities and ongoing preclinical work.