Altamira Therapeutics Files Provisional Patent for OligoPhore Nanoparticles with siRNA Targeting p65 in Cancer and Inflammation Treatment

Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq: CYTO), headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, has announced a provisional patent application with the United States Patent Office (USPTO) related to their OligoPhore™ platform. This patent involves nanoparticles composed of their peptide-based oligonucleotide delivery system, combined with siRNA sequences aimed at silencing the p65 protein, which is a crucial component of the NF-κB transcription factor involved in various cancers and inflammatory diseases.

This patent application outlines novel nanoparticle compositions that utilize Altamira’s OligoPhore platform to target the p65 protein. Activation of p65 is linked to the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), where it plays a significant role in regulating cell proliferation, cell death, and metastasis. The patent aims to bolster Altamira’s intellectual property portfolio concerning its AM-411 development program for RA treatment, among other applications.

Dr. Covadonga Pañeda, Chief Development Officer at Altamira Therapeutics, emphasized the potential of their OligoPhore platform in treating arthritis. The AM-411 program has shown in vivo efficiency in delivering siRNA specifically to inflamed tissues, notably inflamed joints in RA, thereby minimizing systemic side effects commonly associated with current treatments. By knocking down the p65 protein, the treatment aims to control a key inflammatory checkpoint, potentially offering strong therapeutic effects with a lower risk of developing treatment resistance.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation, joint swelling, and pain, which can extend to other body parts such as the skin, eyes, brain, and cardiovascular system. Approximately 1.3 million adults in the United States and up to 14 million people globally suffer from RA. The disease affects significantly more women than men, with a lifetime prevalence of 1 in 28 women compared to 1 in 59 men. There is no cure for RA, and current treatments focus on managing symptoms through a combination of biologic and non-biologic immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and NSAIDs. However, these treatments are not without drawbacks, including drug resistance in up to half of the patients and common systemic adverse reactions. The global market for anti-rheumatic drugs is projected to grow from $57.9 billion in 2019 to $62.9 billion by 2027, making it the second-largest therapeutic area after oncology.

The AM-411 program’s efficacy was demonstrated in a study using a collagen antibody–induced arthritis model in mice. The study showed that OligoPhore nanoparticles loaded with siRNA targeting NF-κB (p65) significantly suppressed early inflammatory arthritis. The treatment reduced inflammatory cytokine expression and cellular influx into the joints, protected against bone erosions, and preserved cartilage integrity. Importantly, the treatment did not affect p65 expression in non-target organs or provoke a humoral response after repeated injections.

OligoPhore’s potential extends beyond inflammatory diseases to cancer treatment. In animal models of melanoma lung metastasis and Adult T-cell Leukemia Lymphoma (ATLL), treatment with OligoPhore nanoparticles delivering p65 siRNA yielded positive results. In melanoma lung metastasis models, nanoparticle treatment significantly slowed tumor growth, while in ATLL models, it reduced tumor size and growth, sensitizing late-stage tumors to conventional chemotherapy.

Altamira Therapeutics focuses on developing and commercializing peptide-based nanoparticle technologies for effective RNA delivery to tissues outside the liver, utilizing platforms like OligoPhore™ and SemaPhore™. Their flagship siRNA programs, AM-401 for KRAS-driven cancer and AM-411 for rheumatoid arthritis, are in the preclinical stage. The company’s versatile delivery platforms are also available for licensing to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Altamira, founded in 2003, is based in Hamilton, Bermuda, with primary operations in Basel, Switzerland.