Clinical stage immuno-oncology company Imugene Ltd (ASX:IMU, OTC:IUGNF) has provided an update on the development of its clinical drug candidate, PD1-Vaxx, announcing the grant of a new patent by the Japanese Patent Office.
The patent will protect Imugene’s immunotherapeutic PD1-Vaxx, a first-in-class programmed death-1 (PD1) vaccine, currently in clinical development for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
This patent, which will expire on March 28, 2038, protects the composition of matter and method of treatment in cancer of Imugene’s PD1-Vaxx for the generation of a therapeutic antibody response against the PD1 checkpoint target.
The company’s PD1-Vaxx is a B-cell activating immunotherapy designed to treat tumours such as lung cancer by interfering with PD-1/PD-L1 binding and interaction and produce an anti-cancer effect similar to other immune checkpoint inhibitor monoclonal antibodies that are transforming the treatment of a range of cancers.
Imugene managing director and CEO Leslie Chong said, “Attaining the key Japanese patent, on top of gaining protection in the USA this year, is a very important milestone.
"Recruitment in the Phase 1 PD1-Vaxx trial, as monotherapy or in combination with atezolizumab in adults with NonSmall Cell Lung Cancer, has increased markedly recently with strong interest from new clinical sites to participate in this innovative study.”
1,000 days cancer-free
Imugene notes that last week marked 1,000 days cancer-free for a patient with late-stage NSCLC who was recruited and dosed in December 2020.
A trial-in-progress poster will be presented this week at the IASLC 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer in Singapore — the poster presentation can be downloaded from Imugene’s website.