NetScientific PLC (AIM:NSCI) flagged new that portfolio company, PDS Biotechnology, has been granted a US patent for its PDS0101 immunotherapy.
The application was based on a paper entitled, "Novel HPV16 Non HLA-Restricted T-cell Vaccines, Composition and Methods of Use Thereof".
PDS0101 consists of a combination of the Versamune technology platform with a unique mixture of short protein fragments derived from the cancer-causing virus, HPV16, which promotes the induction of killer T-cells by the immune system that recognize, and attack cancers caused by infection with HPV16 irrespective of the patients' genetic makeup.
Netscientific noted that HPV16 is the most oncogenic or cancer-causing type of HPV, and is by far the most prevalent in patients with advanced HPV-associated cancers, including anal, cervical, head and neck, penile, vaginal and vulvar cancers.
Dr Frank Bedu-Addo, president and chief executive officer of PDS, said: "We remain excited about the promising early efficacy and safety data from our ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials. The early clinical data coupled with the recent grant of the PDS0101 patent that runs into late 2037 puts PDS Biotech in a strong position to progress commercialization of the product to address a significant unmet need for more effective treatment of advanced HPV-associated cancers".
Ilian Iliev, CEO of NetScientific, commented: "A strong, effective and fit-for-purpose patent portfolio is key to effective commercialisation in life sciences, and a key element in NetScientific's portfolio management and investment selection strategy. PDS' growing patent portfolio positions the company well for success, as the company continues to progress its clinical trials."