Hoth Therapeutics Announces Granted Japanese Patent for Novel RNA-Based Cancer Therapy Targeting KIT Gene - Expands Global IP in Precision Oncology Platform

Rhea-AI Summary

Hoth Therapeutics (NASDAQ: HOTH) has secured a significant patent from the Japan Patent Office for its RNA-based cancer therapy targeting the KIT gene. The patent provides broad coverage for antisense oligomers designed to modify pre-mRNA splicing or reduce KIT protein expression.

The granted patent specifically covers:

• Antisense RNA molecules (10-50 nucleotides) targeting KIT pre-mRNA splicing sequences
• Morpholino and chemically modified antisense variants
• Pharmaceutical compositions and expression vectors
• Applications in both human and veterinary medicine

The KIT gene is associated with various cancers including gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), leukemia, and mastocytosis. This patent strengthens Hoth's position in RNA therapeutics and provides exclusive rights to develop, partner, and commercialize ASO-based therapies targeting KIT in Japan.

Positive

• Secured exclusive rights in Japan for KIT-targeted RNA therapy
• Patent coverage extends to both human and veterinary applications
• Technology addresses multiple cancer types including GIST and leukemia
• Creates new licensing and partnership opportunities in Japanese market

Negative

• Therapy still in pre-clinical stage, not yet advanced to clinical trials
• Will require significant development time and resources before commercialization

Insights

Biotechnology Patent Attorney

HOTH's new Japanese patent for KIT gene-targeting therapy strengthens their RNA therapeutics portfolio, adding significant value to their oncology pipeline.

This Japanese patent grant represents a significant intellectual property milestone for Hoth Therapeutics in the competitive RNA therapeutics landscape. The patent's broad claims covering antisense oligomers targeting the KIT gene provide robust protection for multiple therapeutic approaches - including pre-mRNA splicing modulation and direct protein expression reduction.

What makes this particularly valuable is the scope of protection. The patent covers oligonucleotides ranging from 10-50 nucleotides, various chemical modifications including morpholino variants, delivery compositions, and applications across both human and veterinary medicine. This comprehensive coverage creates substantial barriers to competitors and positions Hoth advantageously for potential licensing deals.

For context, the KIT gene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that's a clinically validated oncology target, implicated in gastrointestinal stromal tumors, certain leukemias, and mastocytosis. While small molecule inhibitors targeting KIT exist (like imatinib), resistance frequently develops. Hoth's antisense approach could potentially circumvent these resistance mechanisms by acting at the RNA level rather than targeting the protein directly.

For a micro-cap company with approximately $10 million market capitalization, securing broad patent protection in major pharmaceutical markets like Japan substantially enhances their intellectual property portfolio and potential partnership value. This patent complements their broader RNA therapeutics platform strategy and creates multiple commercialization pathways in oncology and immunology.

Oncology Investment Analyst

Hoth's Japanese patent for KIT-targeted RNA therapy enhances their competitive position in precision oncology, boosting partnership potential.

This patent grant strategically strengthens Hoth's position in the rapidly growing RNA therapeutics sector. By securing exclusive rights to KIT-targeted antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) in Japan - the world's third-largest pharmaceutical market - Hoth has enhanced its global intellectual property estate in precision oncology.

The commercial significance stems from the KIT gene's established role as a driver in multiple cancer types. Current KIT-targeting approaches primarily use small molecule inhibitors that often face resistance mechanisms. Hoth's RNA-based approach could potentially address these limitations by preventing KIT protein production rather than inhibiting the already-formed protein.

From a business development perspective, this patent creates three distinct value pathways:

• Direct clinical development of KIT-targeting therapies for oncology indications
• Licensing opportunities to larger pharmaceutical companies seeking RNA-based assets
• Partnership structures around the broader antisense technology platform

For Hoth, with its relatively small $10.1 million market capitalization, intellectual property expansion of this nature is particularly consequential. It enhances corporate valuation for potential financing activities and strengthens negotiating positions for partnerships. The broad claim scope covering various oligonucleotide structures, compositions, and applications provides multiple shots on goal across different therapeutic applications targeting the same fundamental oncogenic pathway.

This patent reinforces Hoth's strategic positioning at the intersection of two high-interest therapeutic areas: RNA-based therapeutics and precision oncology - both commanding premium valuations in the current biotech landscape.

Patent Grant Strengthens Hoth's RNA Therapeutics Pipeline with Broad Claims Covering KIT-Targeted Antisense Oligomers for Oncology and Immunology Applications

NEW YORK, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoth Therapeutics, Inc.(NASDAQ: HOTH), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation RNA-targeted precision therapies, today announced it has been granted a key patent by the Japan Patent Office (JPO), expanding its global intellectual property portfolio in RNA-based cancer therapeutics.

The newly issued patent secures broad claims covering antisense oligomers that target the KIT gene — a clinically validated oncogene associated with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), leukemia, mastocytosis, and other cancers. These oligomers are designed to alter pre-mRNA splicing or reduce KIT protein expression, offering a highly targeted therapeutic mechanism.

"This patent significantly strengthens Hoth's position in the RNA therapeutics space and marks a major milestone in our global strategy," said Robb Knie, CEO of Hoth Therapeutics. "Targeting the KIT pathway with antisense technology represents a precision-driven approach that holds immense potential in oncology and beyond. This grant provides strong validation and global momentum as we continue advancing our RNA platform toward the clinic."

The patent includes coverage for:

• Antisense RNA molecules comprising 10–50 nucleotides targeting KIT pre-mRNA splicing sequences
• Morpholino and chemically modified antisense variants
• Pharmaceutical compositions and expression vectors
• Applications in both human and veterinary medicine

Why It Matters:
The KIT gene is implicated in aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancers. By leveraging antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to modulate KIT expression, Hoth is pioneering a novel RNA-based strategy that could bypass traditional small molecule resistance mechanisms. With this patent, Hoth now holds exclusive rights to develop, partner, and commercialize ASO-based therapies targeting KIT — a critical asset in the precision oncology space.

Key Highlights:

• Patent grant accelerates Hoth's global IP expansion in RNA-targeted therapies
• Targets validated oncogene KIT, widely implicated in cancer progression and resistance
• Supports pipeline momentum in oncology, immunology, and rare diseases
• Creates licensing and partnership opportunities in high-growth therapeutic areas

About Hoth Therapeutics, Inc.

 Hoth Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative, impactful, and ground-breaking treatments with a goal to improve patient quality of life. We are a catalyst in early-stage pharmaceutical research and development, elevating drugs from the bench to pre-clinical and clinical testing. Utilizing a patient-centric approach, we collaborate and partner with a team of scientists, clinicians, and key opinion leaders to seek out and investigate therapeutics that hold immense potential to create breakthroughs and diversify treatment options. To learn more, please visit https://ir.hoththerapeutics.com/.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements based upon Hoth's current expectations, which may constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws, and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. These statements concern Hoth's business strategies; the timing of regulatory submissions; the ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of existing product candidates and any other product candidates we may develop, and the labeling under any approval we may obtain; the timing and costs of clinical trials, and the timing and costs of other expenses; market acceptance of our products; the ultimate impact of any health epidemic, on our business, our clinical trials, our research programs, healthcare systems, or the global economy as a whole; our intellectual property; our reliance on third-party organizations; our competitive position; our industry environment; our anticipated financial and operating results, including anticipated sources of revenues; our assumptions regarding the size of the available market, benefits of our products, product pricing, and timing of product launches; management's expectation with respect to future acquisitions; statements regarding our goals, intentions, plans, and expectations, including the introduction of new products and markets; and our cash needs and financing plans. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. You should not place reliance on these forward-looking statements, which include words such as "could," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "may," "continue," "predict," "potential," "project" or similar terms, variations of such terms, or the negative of those terms. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the company cannot guarantee such outcomes. Hoth may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, without limitation, market conditions and the factors described in the section titled "Risk Factors" in Hoth's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Hoth's other filings made with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All such statements speak only as of the date made. Consequently, forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as Hoth's current plans, estimates, and beliefs. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Hoth cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Hoth does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to update, republish, or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events, or circumstances or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events, except as may be required by applicable law.

Investor Contact:
LR Advisors LLC 
Email: investorrelations@hoththerapeutics.com
www.hoththerapeutics.com
Phone: (678) 570-6791

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SOURCE Hoth Therapeutics, Inc.

FAQ

What does Hoth Therapeutics' new Japanese patent cover for KIT gene therapy?

The patent covers antisense oligomers targeting KIT gene, including 10-50 nucleotide RNA molecules, modified variants, pharmaceutical compositions, and applications in both human and veterinary medicine.

Which types of cancer could be treated with Hoth's KIT-targeted therapy?

The therapy targets cancers associated with the KIT gene, including gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), leukemia, and mastocytosis.

How does Hoth's RNA-based cancer therapy work?

The therapy uses antisense oligonucleotides to modulate KIT gene expression by altering pre-mRNA splicing or reducing KIT protein expression, potentially bypassing traditional small molecule resistance mechanisms.

What are the commercial implications of HOTH's Japanese patent grant?

The patent gives Hoth exclusive rights to develop, partner, and commercialize ASO-based therapies targeting KIT in Japan, creating licensing and partnership opportunities.