Phase 2 Study Shows Promise for Targeted Therapy in Interferon Gamma–Driven Sepsis

A new Phase 2a clinical trial suggests that targeting specific immune pathways may improve outcomes for a high-risk subset of sepsis patients, with potential implications for future infection prevention and sepsis programs. Sobi announced topline results from the EMBRACE study on January 7, 2026, evaluating Gamifant for interferon gamma–driven sepsis, a newly described sepsis endotype associated with poor outcomes.

Sepsis remains a leading global cause of death, but growing evidence shows it is not a single disease entity. Recent research has identified distinct sepsis endotypes that may require different treatment approaches. Approximately 20 percent of patients fall into the interferon gamma–driven sepsis category, which is characterized by elevated CXCL9 and detectable interferon gamma levels and is associated with 28-day mortality rates exceeding 40 percent.

The EMBRACE trial was a randomized, double-blind Phase 2a study conducted at 24 sites in Greece. It enrolled 75 patients with interferon gamma–driven sepsis and tested low- and high-dose emapalumab alongside standard of care compared with placebo. The primary endpoint was improvement in organ dysfunction, measured by changes in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores over 28 days.

Topline results showed proof of concept, with observed improvements in organ function and survival. For IPC teams, the findings highlight the growing role of precision medicine in sepsis care and reinforce the importance of early identification, biomarker awareness, and collaboration with clinical and antimicrobial stewardship teams. While emapalumab is not yet approved for sepsis, the results signal a potential shift toward targeted immunotherapies in managing severe infection syndromes.