On May 27, 2020 OncoSec Medical Incorporated (NASDAQ:ONCS) (the "Company" or "OncoSec"), a company developing late-stage intratumoral cancer immunotherapies, reported Notices of Allowance for three new patent applications covering its interleukin-12 (IL-12) based immunotherapy platform, including its lead product candidate TAVO and next-generation product candidate TAVOPLUS, and electroporation gene delivery system (Press release, OncoSec Medical, MAY 27, 2020, View Source [SID1234558566]).
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The European Patent Office intends to grant a patent covering OncoSec’s gene therapy and electroporation for the treatment of malignancies. The allowed European claims are directed to methods of treating cancer by delivering a plasmid encoding an agonist of GITR, CD137, CD134, CD40L, or CD27 (immune co-stimulators) in combination with a plasmid encoding an immunostimulatory cytokine (such as IL-12 or IL-15) to a tumor by intratumoral electroporation. This patent is significant as it further expands protection of OncoSec’s IL-12 based immunotherapy platform in a key market for various drug combinations.
Additionally, the European Patent Office also intends to grant a second patent protecting OncoSec’s next-generation electroporation gene delivery system focused on the treatment of internal or visceral lesions. Specifically, the allowed claims cover OncoSec’s innovative visceral lesion applicator (VLA) that can be used with the APOLLO electroporation generator, including applicators with two or more electroporation electrodes and a central channel for colocalized drug delivery. These innovative devices allow targeted electroporation and treatment of cells with therapeutic moieties using a single device. The applicator options enable the ability to use a variety of interventional and surgical approaches to access a wide variety of lesions, such as distal lung metastases (catheter-based) and primary and metastatic liver tumors (rigid-based). This is clinically significant because many of these cancers are difficult to reach and treat directly with an immunotherapy.
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office intends to grant a patent protecting OncoSec’s electroporation method for treating microscopic tumors. The allowed claims are directed to delivery of a gene encoding a therapeutic protein, such as a cytokine, including electroporation to reduce tumor growth and metastases in the tumor margin tissue. Tumor resection, if performed, can be done before or after the electroporation. Treatment of tumor margin tissue – prior to and following resection – is a very meaningful treatment advancement for OncoSec, particularly when directed to the prevention of metastases.
"OncoSec continues to prioritize the expansion of its intellectual property portfolio across multiple facets of its technology," said Keir Loiacono, Vice President, Corporate Development at OncoSec Medical Incorporated. "These three new allowances demonstrate OncoSec’s strong patent position in three critical areas: device development, new treatment alternatives and novel adjuvant therapies with previously undescribed combinations. As we look to the future, we believe this will not only help to secure our competitive position in the intratumoral oncology space, but potentially create new opportunities for licensing revenue."