Immunocore Unveils Promising HIV Functional Cure Data at CROI 2025

Immunocore is a leading biotechnology company focused on developing cutting-edge therapies that harness the power of the immune system to treat a variety of cancers and infectious diseases. The company’s proprietary ImmTAC platform enables the development of novel immunotherapies that can target and destroy diseased cells with precision.

Immunocore’s portfolio includes therapies for both oncology and infectious diseases, with a strong commitment to transforming the treatment landscape for patients worldwide.

Immunocore Holdings plc (IMCR), a leader in immuno-oncology, has revealed groundbreaking early-stage data from its Phase 1/2 STRIVE trial of IMC-M113V, a novel candidate aimed at providing a functional cure for HIV. The data were presented in an oral session at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI).

The multiple ascending dose (MAD) phase of the trial showed promising results, indicating that IMC-M113V is well-tolerated and capable of inducing dose-dependent viral control in HIV patients. These findings come as a major step forward in the ongoing quest to develop a treatment that could eliminate the need for lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). Notably, some patients demonstrated viral suppression lasting for up to 12 weeks after ART interruption, providing early evidence of the potential for long-term control.

IMC-M113V, Immunocore’s most advanced HIV candidate, targets the virus in a unique manner, leveraging the company’s proprietary ImmTAC technology to activate the immune system’s T cells to target and destroy HIV-infected cells. The STRIVE trial is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of IMC-M113V at escalating doses, and these initial findings mark an important milestone in the development of a functional cure for HIV.

“We are excited to share the early results from the STRIVE trial, which represent an important step toward potentially transforming the treatment landscape for people living with HIV,” said Dr. Anna Taylor, Chief Medical Officer at Immunocore. “While these data are still in the early stages, the ability of IMC-M113V to provide prolonged viral suppression without the need for ART is encouraging, and we look forward to continuing to explore its potential in future trial stages.”

Immunocore emphasized that while the data is still in its early phase, the results suggest the potential of IMC-M113V to be a game-changer in the fight against HIV, offering hope for a functional cure that could reduce or eliminate the dependency on daily ART regimens.

The company is continuing to test higher doses of IMC-M113V in the ongoing trial, with further data expected in the coming months. Researchers and clinicians alike are watching closely to see how these findings progress, as the development of a functional cure for HIV remains one of the most sought-after goals in the field of infectious disease.