---
title: "Immatics’ cell therapy shows tumor shrinkage in uveal melanoma; next step is approval"
id: "stat-news-4-stat-a-german-biotech-has-big-ambitions-in-cancer-now-it-needs-to-get-a"
canonical_url: "https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/stat-news-4-stat-a-german-biotech-has-big-ambitions-in-cancer-now-it-needs-to-get-a"
content_type: "clinical_feed_article"
specialty: "Oncology"
source_name: "STAT News"
source_url: "https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/21/immatics-cancer-cell-therapy-targets-prame-protein/?utm_campaign=rss"
published_at: "2026-10-21T08:30:00.000Z"
evidence_level: "Verified Feed"
license: "CC-BY-NC-4.0 / Informational Use"
---
# Immatics’ cell therapy shows tumor shrinkage in uveal melanoma; next step is approval
## Provenance & Clinical Metadata
- **Canonical URL:** https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/stat-news-4-stat-a-german-biotech-has-big-ambitions-in-cancer-now-it-needs-to-get-a
- **Specialty:** [Oncology](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/oncology.md)
- **Primary Source:** STAT News
- **Source URL:** [Original Journal Publication](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/21/immatics-cancer-cell-therapy-targets-prame-protein/?utm_campaign=rss)
- **Published At:** 2026-10-21T08:30:00.000Z
- **Evidence Rating:** Verified Feed
## Executive GIST (TL;DR)
- Immatics, a German biotech founded 26 years ago, reported early clinical promise and its CEO expressed confidence about an upcoming melanoma readout. - A Phase 1 dataset of 16 patients with **uveal melanoma** presented at a major European oncology meeting showed tumor shrinkage in every enrolled patient, according to attendees and conference reporting. - Investigators and conference commentators noted the results were preliminary but striking, given the rarity and poor responsiveness of **uveal melanoma** to prior immunotherapies. - The study team and external oncologists suggested the therapy’s target could be relevant to more common, immunotherapy-resistant cancers — examples cited included pancreatic and ovarian cancers. - The data came from a small, early-phase cohort; the source did not report details on dosing, precise endpoints, duration of responses, safety data beyond general tolerability, or the exact regulatory timeline for approval. - The company must now translate a small-sample signal into a validated, approvable medicine — a process that will require larger trials, reproducible safety and efficacy readouts, and formal regulatory submissions. - Investigators reported enthusiasm tempered by the need for confirmatory data; unanswered questions include response durability, broader tumor applicability, and manufacturing or logistical hurdles the source did not describe. - The article emphasizes the gap between early clinical excitement and the practical steps required to obtain a marketed therapy, while noting the company’s high-profile conference placement for the small trial.
## Clinical Analysis & Structured Key Points
[Skip to Main Content](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/21/immatics-cancer-cell-therapy-targets-prame-protein/?utm_campaign=rss#wrapper) [ ![STAT](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/stat-logo-white.svg) ![STAT](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/stat-logo.svg) ](https://www.statnews.com/) * [Manage alerts for this article](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/edit/#emails) * [Save this story for later](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/saved/) * [Share this article](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/21/immatics-cancer-cell-therapy-targets-prame-protein/?utm_campaign=rss) [ ![STAT](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/stat-logo.svg) ](https://www.statnews.com/) Search * [Log In](https://www.statnews.com/login/) * [Try STAT+](https://www.statnews.com/stat-plus/) * [My Account](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/) My Account * [Settings](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/) * [Saved Stories](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/saved/) * [Billing History](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/billing/) [Home](https://www.statnews.com/) News * [Latest](https://www.statnews.com/latest/) * [Series & Investigations](https://www.statnews.com/stat-series-and-investigations-award-winning-journalism/) * Business * [Biotech](https://www.statnews.com/category/biotech/) * [Pharma](https://www.statnews.com/category/pharma/) * [Health Tech](https://www.statnews.com/category/health-tech/) * [Health Insurance](https://www.statnews.com/category/insurance/) * [Hospitals](https://www.statnews.com/category/hospitals/) * [Medical Devices](https://www.statnews.com/topic/medical-devices/) * Washington * [Policy](https://www.statnews.com/category/politics/) * [FDA](https://www.statnews.com/topic/fda/) * [NIH](https://www.statnews.com/topic/nih/) * Science * [CRISPR](https://www.statnews.com/topic/crispr/) * [Gene Therapy](https://www.statnews.com/topic/gene-therapy/) * [Neuroscience](https://www.statnews.com/topic/neuroscience/) * Public Health * [Addiction](https://www.statnews.com/topic/addiction/) * [Covid-19](https://www.statnews.com/topic/coronavirus/) * [Abortion](https://www.statnews.com/topic/abortion/) * [Health Disparities](https://www.statnews.com/topic/health-disparities/) * [Infectious Disease](https://www.statnews.com/topic/infectious-disease/) * [Mental Health](https://www.statnews.com/topic/mental-health/) * Disease * [Cancer](https://www.statnews.com/topic/cancer/) * [Cardiovascular Disease](https://www.statnews.com/topic/cardiovascular-disease/) * [Chronic Disease](https://www.statnews.com/topic/chronic-disease/) * [Diabetes](https://www.statnews.com/topic/diabetes/) * [Alzheimer's](https://www.statnews.com/topic/alzheimers/) * [Obesity](https://www.statnews.com/topic/obesity/) * Features * [Health Care Costs](https://www.statnews.com/health-insurance-costs-out-of-pocket-out-of-reach-series/) * [The Deadliest Drug](https://www.statnews.com/alcohol-epidemic-hiding-plain-sight-deadliest-drug-series/) * [Science, Shattered](https://www.statnews.com/american-science-shattered/) [Newsletters](https://www.statnews.com/signup/) [Opinion](https://www.statnews.com/category/first-opinion/) Columns * [Adam Feuerstein](https://www.statnews.com/category/adams-take/) * [Matthew Herper](https://www.statnews.com/category/matts-take/) * [Ed Silverman](https://www.statnews.com/category/pharmalot-view/) [Reports](https://reports.statnews.com/) [E-books](https://www.statnews.com/ebooks/) [Podcasts](https://www.statnews.com/podcasts/) [Tools & Trackers](https://www.statnews.com/trackers/) * [CRISPR Tracker](https://www.statnews.com/feature/crispr/tracker/) * [Breakthrough Device Tracker](https://www.statnews.com/feature/stat-plus/breakthrough-device-designation-fda-tracker/) * [Generative AI Tracker](https://www.statnews.com/feature/stat-plus/generative-ai-health-hospitals-tracker/) * [Obesity Drug Tracker](https://www.statnews.com/2023/09/12/new-weight-loss-drug-tracker-novo-nordisk-eli-lilly/) [Events](https://www.statnews.com/events/) * [Upcoming Events](https://www.statnews.com/events#upcoming-events) * [Summits](https://www.statnews.com/stat-summits/) [Community](https://www.statnews.com/community/) * [STAT Wunderkinds 2026](https://www.statnews.com/wunderkinds/) [Video](https://youtube.com/@Statnews) [Advertise](https://www.statnews.com/advertise/) * [STAT Brand Studio](https://sbs.statnews.com/) What's the word? Test your knowledge with our new weekday mini crossword [ Start solving ](https://www.statnews.com/stat-mini-crossword/) ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/L4A2797-645x645.jpg) Immatics CEO Harpreet Singh poses with a sign at the company’s office in Munich, Germany.Maria Irl for STAT [STAT Plus](https://www.statnews.com/stat-plus/)[Biotech](https://www.statnews.com/category/biotech/) # A German biotech has big ambitions in cancer. Now it needs to get a medicine approved ## Twenty-six years after Immatics was formed, its CEO is confident about upcoming melanoma readout * * * By [Andrew Joseph](https://www.statnews.com/staff/andrew-joseph/) Oct. 21, 2026 Joseph reported this story from Munich and Tübingen, Germany. ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/andrew-j-avatar-small-1-80x80.png) [Andrew Joseph](https://www.statnews.com/staff/andrew-joseph/) 1. [](https://x.com/DrewQJoseph "X") andrew.joseph@statnews.com Andrew covers the biopharma industry, scientific research, and public health across the continent. You can reach Andrew confidentially on Signal at drewqjoseph.71. * [Manage alerts for this article](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/edit/#emails) * [Save this story for later](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/saved/) * [Share this article](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/21/immatics-cancer-cell-therapy-targets-prame-protein/?utm_campaign=rss) Presidential sessions at top cancer meetings typically feature practice-changing clinical trials, detailed in front of thousands of global experts packed into rooms so cavernous they merit their own ZIP codes. But last year, at the most important European oncology conference, one slot was reserved for a presentation of early results from a German biotech’s study of just 16 patients. The primetime billing was no accident. The Phase 1 data, as oncologist Sapna Patel explained, showed that every one of the patients, all of whom had a rare eye cancer called uveal melanoma, saw their tumors shrink after receiving an experimental cell therapy — a remarkable, if preliminary, outcome. What was more, the data suggested that going after the therapy’s bull’s-eye might unlock the power of immunotherapy in other, more common cancers that had stubbornly rebuffed such efforts, like pancreatic and ovarian tumors. Advertisement “This can be taken forward in other areas of oncology,” Patel told the conference. [![STAT+](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/stat-plus-logo.svg)](https://www.statnews.com/stat-plus/) To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. [Subscribe](https://www.statnews.com/stat-plus/) [Log In](https://www.statnews.com/login/) [biotechnology](https://www.statnews.com/topic/biotechnology/), [Cancer](https://www.statnews.com/topic/cancer/), [drug development](https://www.statnews.com/topic/drug-development/), [STAT+](https://www.statnews.com/topic/stat-plus/) [Submit a correction request](https://www.statnews.com/contact/?how_can_we_help_=Editorial%20Correction%20Request)[Reprints](https://www.parsintl.com/publications/stat/) 1. ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/andrew-j-avatar-small-1-80x80.png) [Andrew Joseph](https://www.statnews.com/staff/andrew-joseph/) 1. [](https://x.com/DrewQJoseph "X") 2. Europe Correspondent 1. [](https://x.com/DrewQJoseph "X") 2. Andrew covers the biopharma industry, scientific research, and public health across the continent. You can reach Andrew confidentially on Signal at drewqjoseph.71. #### Recommended ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/plugins/stat-lazy-load/images/328x185-00000000.png) Exclusive Exclusive October 21, 2026 ### ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [ STAT Plus: Mark Cuban wants to crack open the market for rare disease treatments ](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/21/mark-cuban-cost-plus-drugs-rare-disease-medicines/) By [Jason Mast](https://www.statnews.com/staff/jason-mast/) ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/plugins/stat-lazy-load/images/328x185-00000000.png) The Readout The Readout October 20, 2026 ### ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [ STAT Plus: Roche continues to look to China for new drugs ](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/20/biotech-news-roches-15b-hunt-for-new-drugs-in-china/) By [Elaine Chen](https://www.statnews.com/staff/elaine-chen/) and [Jonathan Wosen](https://www.statnews.com/staff/jonathan-wosen/) Advertisement ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/plugins/stat-lazy-load/images/328x185-00000000.png) Matt's Take Matt's Take October 20, 2026 ### [ Why I wish you didn’t want to see Nathan Fielder’s Elizabeth Holmes documentary ](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/20/elizabeth-holmes-superpower-authenticity-vs-truth-matt-herper-take/) By [Matthew Herper](https://www.statnews.com/staff/matthew-herper/) ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/plugins/stat-lazy-load/images/328x185-00000000.png) Health Tech Newsletter Health Tech Newsletter October 20, 2026 ### ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [ STAT Plus: OpenEvidence’s JAMA paper leaves open questions ](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/20/openevidence-jama-paper-leaves-open-questions-health-tech/) By [Mario Aguilar](https://www.statnews.com/staff/mario-aguilar/) ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/plugins/stat-lazy-load/images/328x185-00000000.png) First Opinion First Opinion October 19, 2026 ### [ I was a Theranos whistleblower. In ‘You Can See Everything,’ Elizabeth Holmes is still lying ](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/19/elizabeth-holmes-theranos-whistleblower-tyler-shultz-insider-review/) By Tyler Shultz #### Subscriber Picks 1. ### ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [ STAT Plus: How the No Surprises Act’s nonprofit arbitrators are operating like 'mini gods' and getting rich doing it ](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/19/no-surprises-act-billing-arbitration-profits-stat-investigation/) By [Tara Bannow](https://www.statnews.com/staff/tara-bannow/) 2. ### ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [ STAT Plus: Does Isomorphic Labs have what it takes to revolutionize drugmaking? ](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/19/can-isomorphic-labs-revolutionize-drugmaking/) By [Allison DeAngelis](https://www.statnews.com/staff/allison-deangelis/) 3. ### [ I was a Theranos whistleblower. In ‘You Can See Everything,’ Elizabeth Holmes is still lying ](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/19/elizabeth-holmes-theranos-whistleblower-tyler-shultz-insider-review/) By Tyler Shultz 4. ### ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [ STAT Plus: On Wall Street, there's trouble stirring for biotech ](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/15/wall-street-biotech-trouble-stirring/) By [Adam Feuerstein](https://www.statnews.com/staff/adam-feuerstein/) 5. ### ![](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/home/statplus.svg) [ STAT Plus: Lobbyists and trade groups fight to shape how states regulate medical AI ](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/14/lobbyists-trade-groups-ama-push-autonomous-clinical-ai-regulations/) By [Mario Aguilar](https://www.statnews.com/staff/mario-aguilar/) Share options * [ X ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/21/immatics-cancer-cell-therapy-targets-prame-protein/&via=statnews&text=A%20German%20biotech%20has%20big%20ambitions%20in%20cancer.%20Now%20it%20needs%20to%20get%20a%20medicine%20approved "Share on X") * [ Bluesky ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20German%20biotech%20has%20big%20ambitions%20in%20cancer.%20Now%20it%20needs%20to%20get%20a%20medicine%20approved%20https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/21/immatics-cancer-cell-therapy-targets-prame-protein/%20via%20@statnews.com "Share on Bluesky") * [ LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/21/immatics-cancer-cell-therapy-targets-prame-protein/&mini=true&source=STAT "Linkedin") * [ Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/21/immatics-cancer-cell-therapy-targets-prame-protein/ "Facebook") * Email * [ Doximity ](https://www.doximity.com/inbox/conversations/new_message?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.statnews.com%2F2026%2F10%2F21%2Fimmatics-cancer-cell-therapy-targets-prame-protein%2F&subject=A%20German%20biotech%20has%20big%20ambitions%20in%20cancer.%20Now%20it%20needs%20to%20get%20a%20medicine%20approved "Doximity") * Copy link * [ Reprints ](https://www.parsintl.com/publications/stat/ "Reprints") [ ![STAT](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/themes/stat/images/stat-logo.svg) ](https://www.statnews.com/) Reporting from the frontiers of health and medicine * [](https://flipboard.com/@STATnews "Flipboard") * [](https://x.com/statnews/ "X") * [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/stat-news/ "LinkedIn") * [](https://www.facebook.com/statnews/ "Facebook") * [](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC89FjSf9AT1O2qw6vxrrxDQ "Youtube") * [](https://www.instagram.com/statnews/ "Instagram") * [](https://www.threads.com/@statnews/ "Threads") [Back to top](https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/21/immatics-cancer-cell-therapy-targets-prame-protein/?utm_campaign=rss) Company * [About](https://www.statnews.com/about/) * [Our Team](https://www.statnews.com/staff) * [Contact Us](https://www.statnews.com/contact/) * [Careers](https://www.statnews.com/careers/) * [Diversity & Inclusion](https://www.statnews.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion/) * [Awards](https://www.statnews.com/stat-awards/) * [Advertise With Us](https://www.statnews.com/advertise/) * [STAT Brand Studio](https://sbs.statnews.com) * [Licensing Stories](https://www.parsintl.com/publications/stat/) Account * [STAT+](https://www.statnews.com/stat-plus/) * [STAT+ Discounts](https://www.statnews.com/stat-subscription-discounts-students-educators-healthcare-workers/) * [Group Subscriptions](https://www.statnews.com/stat-plus/group-subscriptions/?stat_plus_group_source=sitefooter) * [FAQ](https://www.statnews.com/faq/) * [My Account](https://www.statnews.com/my-account/) * [Log In](https://www.statnews.com/login/) * [Subscribe](https://www.statnews.com/stat-plus/) More * [Events](https://www.statnews.com/events/) * [Newsletters](https://www.statnews.com/signup/) * [Reports](https://reports.statnews.com/) * [Podcasts](https://www.statnews.com/podcasts/) * [Mini Crossword](https://www.statnews.com/stat-mini-crossword/) * [Community](https://www.statnews.com/community/) * [STAT10](https://www.statnews.com/stat-10th-anniversary/) * [Shop STAT](https://store.bostonglobe.com/collections/stat-news) * [App](https://www.statnews.com/stat-app/) * [Privacy](https://www.statnews.com/privacy/) * [Terms](https://www.statnews.com/terms-conditions/) * [Do Not Sell My Data](https://www.statnews.com/privacy/ccpa-do-not-sell/) * [Ethics Policy](https://www.statnews.com/stat-ethics-policy/) * [AI Policy](https://www.statnews.com/stat-policy-on-use-of-artificial-intelligence/) * [Supporters](https://www.statnews.com/supporters/) * ©2026 STAT ![STAT News](https://cdn.cookielaw.org/logos/static/ot_company_logo.png) ## Privacy Preference Center When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences, or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect. The information does not usually identify you directly, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to learn more and change our default settings. Blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. [More information](https://cookiepedia.co.uk/giving-consent-to-cookies) Allow All ### Manage Consent Preferences #### Strictly Necessary Cookies Always Active These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. #### Targeting Cookies Targeting Cookies These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. #### Performance Cookies Performance Cookies These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. #### Functional Cookies Functional Cookies These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly. Back Button ### Cookie List Search Icon Filter Icon Clear * checkbox label label Apply Cancel Consent Leg.Interest checkbox label label checkbox label label checkbox label label Reject All Confirm My Choices [![Powered by Onetrust](https://cdn.cookielaw.org/logos/static/powered_by_logo.svg)](https://www.onetrust.com/products/cookie-consent/)
## Related Clinical Research

- [RevMed’s pancreatic cancer drug moves toward European approval](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/stat-news-3-stat-revmed-s-pancreatic-cancer-drug-nears-european-approval.md)
- [Verastem’s KRAS Inhibitor and Early Signals in Pancreatic Cancer](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/stat-news-0-stat-verastem-s-kras-inhibitor-shows-promise-in-pancreatic-cancer.md)
- [Semaglutide plus menopause hormone therapy linked to greater weight loss in midlife women](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/medical-news-today-0-ozempic-plus-hormone-therapy-may-help-boost-weight-loss-at-menopause.md)
- [High-Fiber Diet Outperforms Metformin in Blood Sugar Control and Weight Loss](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/medical-news-today-0-high-fiber-diet-vs-metformin-which-is-better-for-blood-sugar-control-weight-loss.md)

## Navigation
- [← Back to Oncology Feed](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/oncology.md)
- [← All Clinical Specialties](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed.md)
## Medical & Regulatory Disclaimer

> [!CAUTION]
> MedicHelpline content is structured for research, educational, and professional discovery purposes. It does not constitute individual medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or treatment recommendations.
> Always verify dosing, contraindications, and regulatory alerts against official product labeling and primary regulatory sources before clinical decision-making.