Imugene Ltd (ASX:IMU, OTC:IUGNF) welcomes the US Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) granting of a crucial Notice of Allowance protecting the company’s oncolytic virotherapy CF33 patent until 2037.
The Notice of Allowance is for the clinical stage immuno-oncology company’s patent application number 16/324,541 titled 'Chimeric Poxvirus Composition and Uses Thereof', for CF33, including VAXINIA (CF33-hNIS) and CHECKVacc (CF33-hNIS-antiPDL1).
Oncolytic viruses have the unique ability to selectively destroy tumour cells while activating the immune system against cancer cells.
They hold significant potential in improving clinical responses and survival rates for cancer patients.
Crucial step forward
"Imugene receiving this patent allowance for the CF33 family of oncolytic viruses from the US patent office is a crucial step forward,” Imugene managing director and chief executive officer Leslie Chong said.
“With the US being the largest healthcare market in the world, this is a particularly important patent milestone."
CF33, a chimeric vaccinia poxvirus developed by Professor Yuman Fong from the City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment centres in the United States, has shown promise in the battle against oncolytic viruses
About Imugene
Imugene is working on a range of immunotherapies to activate the immune system of cancer patients to treat and eradicate tumours.
Using platform technologies, the company aims to leverage the body's immune system to fight against tumours, potentially achieving similar or even superior results compared to artificially produced monoclonal antibodies and other types of immunotherapies.
Its product pipeline consists of multiple candidates for B-cell vaccines, which are immunotherapies, as well as an oncolytic virotherapy called CF33.
These treatments are designed to be used in combination with standard care drugs and emerging immunotherapies like CAR T-cell therapies, particularly for solid tumours.
Imugene believes its immuno-oncology therapies will become fundamental treatments for cancer, and aims to be at the forefront of this rapidly expanding global market.