EPIM-001

**EPIM-001** is an investigational tumor-targeted engineered interleukin-2 (IL-2) variant developed by Elpis Biopharmaceuticals using their proprietary mSCAFold™ platform. It functions as a bispecific biologic with biased **IL-2Rβ agonist** activity (reduced binding to IL-2Rα and enhanced binding to IL-2Rβ) to selectively activate **CD8+ T cells** and **NK cells**, while also incorporating **anti-PD-L1** functionality for checkpoint inhibition. This design enables potent anti-tumor activity in preclinical models, including superior tumor growth inhibition compared to pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in PD-L1-positive tumors like MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, with potential to treat immune checkpoint inhibitor-resistant or non-responding tumors. It exhibits a favorable safety profile with reduced systemic toxicity due to biased signaling and extended half-life for less frequent dosing.[1][2][3][5][8]