Immutep (ASX:IMM) said initial pharmacological data from a placebo-controlled, double-blind first-in-human phase 1 study evaluating its IMP761 treatment candidate, a lymphocyte-activation gene-3 agonist antibody for autoimmune diseases, showed positive results and a continued favorable safety profile, according to a Monday Australian bourse filing.

The company reported no treatment-related adverse events in healthy participants from the highest dosing level to date at 0.9 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of IMP761, which is being considered as a potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.

The inhibition of T-cell infiltration in the skin at day 10 following a neoantigen rechallenge reached 80% at the same dosing level.

The firm is continuing with single ascending dose levels of 2.5 mg/kg, 7 mg/kg, and 14 mg/kg, the filing said. Additional data from the phase one study is expected in the second half.

Immutep's shares fell past 1% in recent Monday trade.