Defence Therapeutics Strengthens and Expands Global Patent Protection on Key Technologies

Rhea-AI Summary

Defence Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical firm, announced the issuance and allowance of multiple patents across several Patent Families. The US Patent Office allowed application no. 18/169,440, enhancing the company's vaccine platform technology, Accum®, known for boosting antigen presentation. Recent pre-clinical studies using Defence's ARM-002™ vaccine showed significant antitumor responses, paving the way for Phase I trials.

Another patent in Australia for Defence's ADC platform was granted on February 1, 2024, further protecting Accum® and its variants, and adding to existing patents in the US, Japan, and Israel. Additionally, patents for Defence's vaccine platform technology were granted in Canada and Australia, with a Japanese patent expected soon. These patents cover methods and compositions for enhancing antigen immunogenicity.

CEO Mr. Plouffe highlighted the importance of these patents in Defence's mission to innovate and improve human health. The company is accelerating the examination of remaining applications via the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program.

Positive

• New US patent allowed enhancing Accum® platform's antigen presentation.
• ARM-002™ vaccine pre-clinical trials show strong antitumor responses.
• Australian patent granted for ADC platform, adding to existing global patents.
• Canadian and Australian patents granted for vaccine platform technology.
• Japanese patent expected soon, further expanding global patent protection.
• Acceleration of remaining applications via Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program.

Negative

• No immediate financial gains reported from patent issuances.
• Future revenue dependent on successful Phase I clinical trials.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2024) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (OTCQB: DTCFF) (FSE: DTC) ("Defence" or the "Company"), a Canadian biopharmaceutical company developing novel immune-oncology vaccines and drug delivery technologies, is pleased to announce the issuance of several new patents, as well as new allowances of patent applications belonging to different Patent Families in Defence's vast and diverse portfolio.

Defence's vaccine enhancer platform technology based on simple admixture of Accum^® and variants thereof with specific antigens, is further expanded by the recent allowance of Defence's US application no. 18/169,440 by the USPTO. The newly allowed subject-matter, which includes valuable composition-of-matter claims directed to Accum^® or variants thereof as standalone agents for enhancing antigen presentation, or in admixture with of any vaccine antigen, elegantly compliments Defence's previously granted US patent no. 11,612,651 covering methods of improving polypeptide antigen immunogenicity. Importantly, this Patent Family is the first family broadly covering Defence's anticancer ARM™ vaccine platform. Recent pre-clinical studies using Defence's ARM-002™ vaccine suggest potent antitumor responses in in vivo melanoma, lymphoma, and pancreatic cancer models when combined with the anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor, paving the way for upcoming Phase I clinical trials.

Defence is also pleased to announce the securing of a new patent in Australia protecting its ADC platform technology based on the ability of the original Accum^® to form potent antibody-drug conjugates leading to targeted cellular accumulation of a payload. Granted on February 1, 2024, Australian patent no. 2017233725 broadly protects not only Defence's original Accum^® but also important variants thereof, which further strengthens the company's patent protection in this valuable and growing therapeutic space. This represents a significant milestone in the future development and commercialization of novel ADCs for treating and detecting many cancers, and adds to Defence's previous granted patents in the United States (US 11,352,437), Japan (JP 7,126,956), and Israel (IL 261765).

In addition, Defence's vaccine platform technology based on covalent conjugation of Accum^® and variants thereof to specific antigens, which already included US patent no. 11,291,717, now includes Canadian patent no. 3,201,103 granted on December 12, 2023, as well as Australian patent no. 2021402007 granted on March 14, 2024. Furthermore, counterpart Japanese application no. 2023-535891 was recently allowed by the Japanese Patent Office and the Japanese patent is expected to be granted imminently. These patents include claims broadly covering a method of improving polypeptide antigen immunogenicity by covalently conjugating any antigen to Accum^® or any variant thereof, and also include independent composition-of-matter claims covering potential vaccine compositions.

"We are thrilled to announce the issuance of these patents and allowances with broad claims covering our ADC and vaccine platforms, which underscore our relentless pursuit of innovation and our unwavering commitment to improving human health," says Mr. Plouffe, CEO and president of Defence.

Acceleration of examination of the remaining applications in both of Defence's vaccine platform Patent Families via the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program is currently being pursued based on these broad issued and allowed claims. The issuance of new patents in these families is therefore expected shortly.

About Defence:
Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded clinical-stage biotechnology company working on engineering the next generation vaccines and ADC products using its proprietary platform. The core of Defence Therapeutics platform is the ACCUM^® technology, which enables precision delivery of vaccine antigens or ADCs in their intact form to target cells. As a result, increased efficacy and potency can be reached against catastrophic illness such as cancer and infectious diseases.

For further information:
Sebastien Plouffe, President, CEO and Director
P: (514) 947-2272
Splouffe@defencetherapeutics.com
www.defencetherapeutics.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither the CSE nor its market regulator, as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208819

FAQ

What recent patents were issued to Defence Therapeutics?

Defence Therapeutics recently received patents in the US and Australia for their Accum® platform and vaccine technologies.

What is the significance of the US patent application no. 18/169,440 for Defence Therapeutics?

The US patent application no. 18/169,440 enhances Defence's vaccine platform, improving antigen presentation.

How has Defence Therapeutics' ARM-002™ vaccine performed in pre-clinical trials?

Defence's ARM-002™ vaccine showed strong antitumor responses in melanoma, lymphoma, and pancreatic cancer models.

What new patent did Defence Therapeutics secure in Australia?

Defence secured an Australian patent for their ADC platform technology, protecting Accum® and its variants.

What other countries have granted patents to Defence Therapeutics recently?

Defence received patents in Canada and Australia, with a Japanese patent expected soon.

What is the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program related to Defence Therapeutics?

The PPH program accelerates the examination of Defence's remaining patent applications based on already issued claims.