Controlling immunity with small molecules for a better therapy

Project Information

IMMUNOCON

Grant agreement ID: 101212709

DOI

10.3030/101212709

EC signature date 13 March 2025

Start date 1 April 2025

End date 31 March 2027

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 2 484 700,99

Coordinated by

EMUNO THERAPEUTICS GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IMMUNOCON (Controlling immunity with small molecules for a better therapy)

Reporting period: 2025-04-01 to 2026-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The IMMUNOCON project aims to advance EMT-224, a first-in-class small molecule immune activator, towards clinical readiness to address the urgent need for effective therapies for late-stage solid cancers, such as colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is the third most common cancer globally, with limited treatment options for advanced stages, resulting in poor prognosis and high mortality rates. While immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized management of certain solid cancers, many CRC patients do not respond to treatment due to the immunologically 'cold' nature of these tumors.
EMT-224 represents a potential breakthrough in immunotherapy by converting 'cold' tumors into 'hot' ones, thereby enhancing the efficacy of ICIs. This innovation builds on results from the ERC Proof of Concept project IMMUNOSTIM, where EMT-224 was identified as a potent immune activator capable of breaking cancer immune evasion mechanisms. The IMMUNOCON project will finalize the pre-clinical validation of EMT-224, focusing on its safety and efficacy in in vivo cancer models. This will involve comprehensive lead optimization, followed by preparing for CTA and GMP manufacturing, and a comprehensive commercial roadmap.
The project will also establish a robust business strategy for EMUNO Therapeutics GmbH (EMT), positioning it as a leading early drug discovery company in the immunotherapy field. The goal is to mature EMT to support the clinical development and eventual commercialization of EMT-224, which has strong 'pipeline-in-a-product' potential for a broad range of solid cancers. By the end of the project, EMT-224 will be poised for CTA-enabling studies, marking a significant step towards bringing a novel, effective treatment to patients suffering from late-stage CRC and potentially other cancers.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the first year, IMMUNOCON progressed EMUNO Therapeutics’ immune activator EMT‑224 towards clinical readiness. Activities focused on generating robust pre‑clinical efficacy and safety data, optimizing the chemical series and laying the regulatory and manufacturing groundwork.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

IMMUNOCON pioneers a new direction in cancer immunotherapy by exploring small‑molecule activation of a unique pathway in innate immune cells. EMT is developing a new class of compounds that can stimulate highly potent but timely limited immune responses. During the first year of the project, EMT established translational assays and biomarker‑based in vivo models to guide the selection of promising candidates and confirm that the approach can mobilize anti‑tumor immunity. Evidence from pre‑clinical studies suggests that this can convert immunologically “cold” tumours into “hot” tumors and enhance the effectiveness of immune checkpoint therapies. These technological achievements lay a foundation for novel therapeutics that patients with limited treatment options could benefit from and support Europe’s ambition to lead in next‑generation immuno‑oncology.
The long‑term impact of this work depends on successful implementation of a regulatory and manufacturing framework, collaboration with clinical partners, and commercialization to bring EMT's first‑in‑class immune activator to the clinic. Moreover, the project underscores the importance of local production networks and ethically responsible research, contributing to the strategic autonomy and sustainability objectives of the European Union.