OncoSec Medical Inc. (OTCQB: ONCS),
a company developing DNA-based intratumoral cancer immunotherapies,
announces that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has
allowed claims covering a method of treating cancerous tumors with
plasmid-encoded IL-15 and electroporation therapy to the tumor having a
field strength of at least 700 V/cm. This announcement enhances
OncoSec’s IP portfolio and provides significant support to the ongoing
expansion of its immuno-oncology pipeline.
"This patent allowance by the USPTO demonstrates our strong overall
commitment to protecting the innovation and commercial opportunity of
our entire intratumoral immunotherapy product portfolio," said Punit
Dhillon, president and chief executive officer, OncoSec Medical. “IL-15
is regarded as a promising immunotherapeutic agent, with several other
companies evaluating IL-15 in clinical trials, as well as the National
Institutes of Health. Our delivery approach of electroporation with
plasmid IL-12 has demonstrated an excellent safety profile without
unwanted toxicities. This patent allowance provides further evidence of
OncoSec’s role as a leader in the development of intratumoral
immunotherapies.”
IL-15 is a member of the family of IL-2 cytokines. This family of
cytokines activates signaling pathways leading to cellular activation,
proliferation and survival. Specifically, IL-15 exhibits broad activity
and induces differentiation and proliferation of immune cells, such as
Natural Killer (NK) cells, T cells and B cells. Furthermore, IL-15
reverses tolerance to tumor-associated antigens. Thus, IL-15 potentiates
the immune system, which is important in the immune system’s ability to
recognize and kill the cancer.
The allowed patent application joins a family of two issued U.S.
patents: U.S. 8,026,223, which claims a method of treating cancerous
tumors with plasmid-encoded IL-12 and electroporation therapy to the
tumor; and U.S. 8,802,643, which claims a method of treating cancerous
tumors with plasmid-encoded B7-1, a peripheral membrane protein found on
antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and electroporation therapy to the
tumor, both of which have a field strength of at least 700 V/cm. This
patent family was exclusively licensed by OncoSec from the University of
South Florida.
About OncoSec Medical
OncoSec Medical Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing its
investigational ImmunoPulse intratumoral cancer immunotherapy. OncoSec
Medical's core technology is designed to enhance the local delivery and
uptake of DNA IL-12 and other DNA-based immune-targeting agents.
Clinical studies of ImmunoPulse have demonstrated an acceptable safety
profile and preliminary evidence of anti-tumor activity in the treatment
of various skin cancers, as well as the potential to initiate a systemic
immune response without the systemic toxicities associated with other
treatments. OncoSec's lead program evaluating ImmunoPulse for the
treatment of metastatic melanoma is currently in Phase 2 development,
and is being conducted in collaboration with several prominent academic
medical centers. As the company continues to evaluate ImmunoPulse in its
current indications, it is also focused on identifying and developing
new immune-targeting agents, investigating additional tumor indications,
and evaluating combination-based immunotherapy approaches. For more
information, please visit www.oncosec.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Any statements in this release that are not historical facts may be
considered such “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements
are based on management’s current preliminary expectations and are
subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause our results to
differ materially and adversely from the statements contained herein.
Some of the potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ from those predicted include our ability to raise
additional funding, our ability to acquire, develop or commercialize new
products, uncertainties inherent in pre-clinical studies and clinical
trials, unexpected new data, safety and technical issues, competition,
and market conditions. These and additional risks and uncertainties are
more fully described in OncoSec Medical’s filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Undue reliance should not be placed on
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are
made. OncoSec Medical disclaims any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or
circumstances after the date they are made, or to reflect the occurrence
of unanticipated events.
Copyright Business Wire 2015