Imugene Limited (ASX:IMU, OTC:IUGNF), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, has received a notice of grant from the Japanese Patent Office for patent application number 2018-505505 which protects its HER-Vaxx immunotherapy applied in the treatment of HER2 positive gastric cancer.
The patent titled 'A Vaccine Composition and Uses Thereof' protects the method of composition and method of use of Imugene’s HER-Vaxx immunotherapy to 2036.
About 75% of all gastric cancer diagnoses are in Asia with Japan having the third highest incidence rate of gastric cancer worldwide.
Consequently, Japan has a very large market for gastric cancer medications where one in five cases are considered HER2 positive.
“Important milestone”
Imugene MD and CEO Leslie Chong said: “Attaining the key Japanese patent is an important milestone.
“This adds extra value to Imugene’s portfolio of B-cell immunotherapies and this will protect them in one of the world’s largest HER2 positive gastric cancer markets until 2036."
Shares have traded up to 6.6% higher intraday to A$0.485 while the company's market capitalisation pre-open was approximately A$2.486 billion.
Imugene’s HER-Vaxx is a B-cell activating immunotherapy designed to treat tumours that over-express the HER-2/neu receptor, such as gastric, breast, ovarian, lung and pancreatic cancers.
The immunotherapy is constructed from several B cell epitopes derived from the extracellular domain of HER-2/neu.
It has been shown in pre-clinical studies, in Phase I and now Phase 2 studies to stimulate a potent polyclonal antibody response to HER-2/neu, a well-known and validated cancer target.
About Imugene
Imugene is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing a range of novel immunotherapies that seek to activate the immune system of cancer patients to treat and eradicate tumours.
The company’s unique platform technologies seek to harness the body’s immune system against tumours, potentially achieving a similar or greater effect than synthetically manufactured monoclonal antibody and other immunotherapies.
Its product pipeline includes multiple immunotherapy B-cell vaccine candidates and oncolytic virotherapy (CF33) aimed at treating a variety of cancers in combination with standard of care drugs and emerging immunotherapies.