LIC20

LIC20 is a tumor-conditional Interleukin-15 (IL-15) superagonist prodrug designed to provide localized immune activation within the tumor microenvironment while minimizing systemic toxicity. It consists of an IL-15 superagonist (a complex of IL-15 and the IL-15Rα-sushi domain) fused to an IgG1 Fc fragment via a protease-cleavable linker sensitive to matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-14. In systemic circulation, the IL-15 activity is masked by steric hindrance provided by the Fc fragment and the sushi domain. Upon reaching the tumor site, overexpressed MMPs cleave the linker, releasing the active IL-15 superagonist. This localized release promotes the expansion and activation of CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, revitalizes exhausted T cells, and enhances the efficacy of other immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies.

Other names

pro-IL-15pro-IL15pro-IL 15MMP-cleavable IL-15 prodrug