IGM Thinks Outside Oncology Box With Anti-Infective, Autoimmune Play

IGM Biosciences, Inc.’s main focus has been on oncology, but it is moving beyond that with a push into infectious and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. While oncology will likely remain its biggest value driver, the additional disease areas also create potential for longer-term growth.

The company said 11 October that it formed two new business units – IGM Infectious Diseases and IGM Autoimmunity and Inflammation – that will build on its platform technology to develop immunoglobulin M (IgM), as well as immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies. It has hired multiple industry veterans to head the effort. The president of IGM Autoimmunity and Inflammation is Mary Beth Harler, most recently head of immunology and fibrosis development at Bristol Myers Squibb Company