Cell therapy company Cartherics has been granted its first Australian patent, which will cover multiple development candidates in its pipeline.
The AU2016361451 patent is entitled 'Genetically modified cells and uses thereof'.
The company said the patent covers aspects of its chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology, particularly its CAR directed against the tumour-associated antigen, TAG-72. It said TAG-72 is highly expressed on various adenocarcinomas, including ovarian and gastric cancers.
The Australian patient is part of the company's wider strategy to secure intellectual property protection in other jurisdictions, including the US, Japan, and Europe.
Cartherics' lead candidate, CTH-401, incorporates the TAG-72 CAR. The initial indication being studied is relapsed or refractory ovarian cancer, where over 90 per cent of tumours are TAG-72 positive.
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death in women diagnosed with gynaecological cancers and also the fifth leading cause of death in women.
CEO Professor Alan Trounson AO said, “The award of this patent strengthens our global position in cancer therapy and potentially other intractable disease conditions. This creates a very good position for the company.”