Imugene Ltd (ASX:IMU, OTC:IUGNF) has secured a patent for its HER-Vaxx immunotherapy candidate in South Korea.
The clinical-stage immuno-oncology company’s newest patent covers the methods of use and composition tied to the HER-Vaxx immunotherapy in South Korea up until 2036.
Importantly, Imugene’s candidate is in development for the HER-2 positive gastric cancer market, a type of stomach cancer with increased levels of a growth-promoting protein known as HER-2.
South Korea has one of the highest incidence rates of gastric cancer worldwide, with roughly one in five cases considered HER-2 positive.
Patent protection for HER-Vaxx in Asia
Imugene’s latest patent further consolidates its HER-Vaxx protection in a key market.
Around 75% of all gastric cancer diagnoses take place in Asia, where the ASX-lister now has three patents granted.
Last month, Imugene secured a patent for the HER-Vaxx immunotherapy in China, and in September 2021, it was also granted patent protection in Japan.
Moreover, particularly high incidence rates in East Asia make South Korea a very large market for gastric cancer medications, according to data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC) GLOBOCAN database.
Crucially, South Korea is also one of the countries selected to conduct a phase two study on HER-Vaxx, known as nextHORIZON, in 2022.
The open-label, signal-generating phase two study — in combination with anti-cancer drugs like pembrolizumab or chemotherapy —will take place in patients with metastatic HER2/neu over-expressing gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas who have previously received a monoclonal antibody, known as trastuzumab, and progressed on this treatment.
Imugene’s HER-Vaxx is a B-cell activating immunotherapy that’s designed to treat tumours that over-express the HER-2/neu receptor, including gastric, breast, ovarian, lung and pancreatic cancers.
According to the company, it has been shown in preclinical, phase one and two studies to stimulate a potent, polyclonal antibody response to HER-2/neu, a well-known and validated cancer target.
“Very important milestone”
Speaking to the patent grant, Imugene CEO and managing director Leslie Chong said: “Attaining the key South Korean patent, on top of gaining protection in Japan and China in 2021, is a very important milestone.
“This will protect HER-Vaxx in the world’s largest HER-2 positive gastric cancer markets until 2036.”