- Imugene (ASX:IMU) is on the verge of securing approval from the European Patent Office (EPO) for its groundbreaking PD1-Vaxx cancer vaccine
- Once granted the patent will be valid until March 28, 2028, and it covers the drug manufacturing process and method of treatment
- Imugene has multiple applications pending in Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, South Korea, Brazil and Australia, and the patent has previously been accepted in the US and Japan
- IMU is also commencing a new PD1-Vaxx phase II trial for colorectal (CRC) cancer in 2024 in the UK and Australia
- IMU shares are up 1.08 per cent, trading at 9.4 cents at 12:15 pm AEDT
Imugene (ASX:IMU) is on the verge of securing approval from the European Patent Office (EPO) for its groundbreaking PD1-Vaxx cancer vaccine, officially titled “HUMAN PD1 PEPTIDE VACCINES AND USES THEREOF.”
PD1-Vaxx is the first-in-class programmed death-1 (PD1) vaccine currently undergoing clinical development for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Imugene is aiming to expand its use to colorectal cancer in 2024.
The EPO application covers the manufacturing process and treatment method for PD1-Vaxx. Following the completion of all formalities, the patent is expected to be granted in late 2023 and will remain valid until March 28, 2028.
“Receiving the notice that this European patent application will proceed to grant is an excellent milestone for the technology, and we are excited to continue developing the therapy to demonstrate the value of our PD1-Vaxx vaccine and to have a positive impact on the lives of many cancer patients,” IMU CEO and Managing Director Leslie Chong said.
Imugene has submitted multiple patent applications in various countries including Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, South Korea, Brazil, and Australia. Additionally, the PD1-Vaxx vaccine has already received Notices of Grant in both the US and Japan.
UK and Australian clinical trial to kick off
Imugene also announced plans to commence a new phase II colorectal (CRC) cancer clinical trial for PD1-Vaxx in 2024, spanning both the UK and Australia.
The study will involve 44 patients across approximately ten sites, six in Australia and four in the UK, with an 18-month enrollment period.
The Cancer Research UK Southampton Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Southampton will oversee the trial in collaboration with the Royal Surrey Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and The Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG).
The primary objective of the trial will be to evaluate the significance of pathological response rates and tumour size changes after treatment with PD1-Vaxx prior to surgery.
IMU shares were up 1.08 per cent, trading at 9.4 cents at 12:15 pm AEDT.