Medicenna Strengthens IP Portfolio with U.S. Patent Granted for the Use of Interleukin-2 Superkine Fusion Proteins in Oncology
August 01 2023 - 8:30AM
Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. (“Medicenna” or “the Company”)
(NASDAQ: MDNA TSX: MDNA), a clinical stage immunotherapy company,
today announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 11,680,090, titled
"Interleukin-2 Fusion Proteins and Uses Thereof." The patent
further strengthens Medicenna's intellectual property around its
BiSKIT™ (
Bifunctional
Super
Kine for
Immuno
Therapy) platform.
“Exhaustion and malfunction of cancer fighting
immune cells severely limits the efficacy of current cancer
immunotherapies. Our novel BiSKIT™ combines IL-2 receptor beta
selective Superkines with Bcl-xL to prevent immune cell exhaustion
and selectively increase effector T and NK cell populations,” said
Fahar Merchant, Ph.D., President and CEO of Medicenna. “This patent
is intended to expand the utility of our IL-2 derived
BISKITs™ and strengthens our position in the field by offering
a unique method to not only boost cancer fighting immune cells
during treatment but also expedite the ex-vivo manufacture of
healthy, robust and functional T and NK cells used in numerous cell
based immunotherapies currently approved or in development for
cancer treatment.”
The recently granted patent strengthens
Medicenna's position, expanding its Superkine toolbox to further
advance its contributions to the field of cancer immunotherapy. The
patent protects a new method for enhancing fitness, survival and
proliferation of cancer killing effector T cells and NK cells.
Bcl-xL is a critical protein that repairs and maintains the
integrity of mitochondria, which serve as the cell's primary “power
generator”. By fusing IL-2 superkines to Bcl-xL, these
first-in-class BiSKITs™ have the potential to further boost
the anti-cancer activity of cancer fighting immune cells by
improving their lifespan, health, quality and quantity and to avoid
the “energy crisis” which is frequently encountered with current
cancer immunotherapies.
The new patent complements U.S. Patent No.
10,781,242 (covering composition and methods for IL-2 Superkine
Bcl-xL fusions) and diversifies the platform where 3 previously
issued patents, related to delivery of Bcl-xL via IL4/IL13
receptors, were described for potential treatment of degenerative
conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, muscular dystrophy and
multiple sclerosis (announced on June 9, 2022). The Company’s
Superkine patent estate is currently comprised of 56 granted and 61
pending patent applications.
About MedicennaMedicenna is a
clinical stage immunotherapy company focused on the development of
novel, highly selective versions of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 Superkines
and first in class Empowered Superkines. Medicenna’s long-acting
IL-2 Superkine, MDNA11, is a next-generation IL-2 with superior
CD122 (IL-2 receptor beta) binding without CD25 (IL-2 receptor
alpha) affinity thereby preferentially stimulating cancer killing
effector T cells and NK cells. Medicenna’s early-stage BiSKITs™
program, (Bifunctional SuperKine ImmunoTherapies) is designed to
enhance the ability of Superkines to treat immunologically “cold”
tumors. Medicenna’s IL-4 Empowered Superkine, bizaxofusp (formerly
MDNA55), has been studied in 5 clinical trials including a Phase 2b
trial for recurrent GBM, the most common and uniformly fatal form
of brain cancer. Bizaxofusp has obtained FastTrack and Orphan Drug
status from the FDA and FDA/EMA, respectively.
Forward Looking StatementsThis
news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of applicable securities laws that relate to the future operations
of the Company, plans and projections and other statements,
including statements on the development, potential and patent
protection of the Company’s IL-2 Superkines. Forward-looking
statements are often identified by terms such as “will”, “may”,
“should”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe”, “seek”, “potentially”
and similar expressions. and are subject to risks and
uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will
prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could
differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the Company’s expectations include the risks
detailed in the latest Annual Information Form and Annual Report on
Form 20-F of the Company and in other filings made by the Company
with the applicable securities regulators from time to time
in Canada and the United States.
The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in
the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be
incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to
differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous
known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of
which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is
cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking
information. Such information, although considered reasonable by
management, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ
materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements
contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this
cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in
this news release are made as of the date hereof and except as
required by law, we do not intend and do not assume any obligation
to update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking
statements.
Further Information
For further information about the Company please contact:
Elizabeth Williams, Chief Financial Officer, 416-648-5555, ewilliams@medicenna.com
Media Contact
For media inquiries, please contact:
Tony Russo, Russo Partners, 212-845-4251, tony.russo@russopartnersllc.com
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