Immutep disclosed that an independent data monitoring committee recommended stopping its Phase III TACTI‑004 trial of eftilagimod alfa (efti) in first‑line non‑small‑cell lung cancer for futility, triggering a near‑90% drop in the company’s ASX stock. The company said the decision followed an interim futility analysis and that management is performing a comprehensive review of the dataset to define next steps. Immutep CEO Marc Voigt publicly called the outcome “very disappointed and surprised,” noting the drug’s prior positive signals in earlier-stage studies. Efti is a LAG‑3 fusion protein intended to activate antigen‑presenting cells; futility in a large, global randomized trial raises questions about the modality’s utility in this indication and will influence investor appetite for similar early‑stage immunotherapy programs.