>>FOSTER CITY, Calif., Aug. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cell Genesys, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEGE - News) today announced that it has been issued a broad patent (U.S. Patent No. 6,432,700) that includes specific composition of matter claims pertaining to the company's proprietary oncolytic virus therapies which are comprised of adenoviruses engineered to replicate preferentially in and destroy cancer cells. The patent covers adenovirus-derived oncolytic viruses that are genetically engineered to have at least two different, cell type-specific gene switches referred to as transcriptional regulatory elements (TREs), elements that serve a key role in restricting viral replication to certain, desired cell types.
"We are pleased to have been issued this broad patent which further strengthens our intellectual property position around our oncolytic virus therapy technologies," stated Peter K. Working, Ph.D., senior vice president of research and development of Cell Genesys. "Cell Genesys' patent portfolio -- the largest in gene therapy -- now includes more than 330 issued or granted patents relating to each of our three product platforms, GVAX® cancer vaccines, oncolytic virus therapies and gene therapies, as well as approximately 390 pending patent applications."
Cell type-specific TREs control the expression of a gene essential for viral replication, limiting viral replication to cell types in which the TRE can function. The claims of this newly issued patent cover adenovirus-derived oncolytic viruses that have at least two different, cell type-specific TREs. Oncolytic viruses engineered to have two or more distinct TREs may potentially result in enhanced, preferential killing of cancer cells, leaving normal, healthy cells largely unharmed. This patent also includes claims to multiple TREs associated with specific types of cancer including prostate cancer, bladder cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and stomach cancer.
In related news, Cell Genesys was issued a method of use patent (U.S. Patent No. 6,406,861) in June 2002 with claims covering technology used to suppress the body's immune response to viral-based therapies. This technology, which involves the removal of antiviral antibodies from the blood through a process called "immunoapheresis," may potentially enhance the efficacy of viral-based therapies as well as increase the number of patients who can be treated with viral-based therapies by reducing the amount of circulating antibodies that might otherwise clear or inactivate such therapies during repeat administration.
Oncolytic (cancer cell killing) virus therapies are comprised of viruses that are engineered to preferentially replicate in and destroy cancer cells and represent a new approach to cancer therapy. Cell Genesys is currently evaluating five products based on the company's proprietary oncolytic virus technology derived from adenovirus, one of the commonly occurring viruses responsible for the common cold. The company's two clinical stage oncolytic virus therapy product candidates, CG7060 and CG7870 target prostate cancer. Preclinical product candidates utilizing this technology include CG8840, CG8900 and CG7980 for bladder cancer, liver cancer and colon cancer, respectively. Cell Genesys acquired its portfolio of oncolytic virus therapy products and technologies from Calydon, Inc., a private biotechnology company acquired by Cell Genesys in September 2001 in a primarily stock-based transaction valued at approximately $20 million.<<
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Cheers, Tuck |
