Cartherics Secures Australian Patent for Cancer Cell Therapy

Cartherics Pty Ltd, a Melbourne-based biotechnology firm, has announced the acquisition of its first Australian patent, AU2016361451. This patent, titled “Genetically modified cells and uses thereof,” bolsters the company's growing intellectual property assets. It specifically supports several of Cartherics' development candidates, focusing on their chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology. This CAR technology is designed to target the tumour-associated antigen TAG-72, which is prominently present in various adenocarcinomas such as ovarian and gastric cancers. The granting of this patent represents a major milestone in Cartherics' efforts to develop innovative treatments for these malignancies.

The patent obtained in Australia is a part of a larger family of patents, with applications submitted in key regions including the United States, Japan, and Europe. Furthermore, Cartherics has also filed a divisional application to cover additional aspects of their invention.

The granted patent provides Cartherics with protection for its TAG-72 CAR construct. Modified T cells or natural killer (NK) cells, equipped with this CAR, have shown robust efficacy against human ovarian cell lines, both in laboratory settings and in living organisms. Cartherics’ flagship product, CTH-401, utilizes the TAG-72 CAR. It is initially targeted at treating relapsed or refractory ovarian cancer, with over 90 percent of such tumors expressing TAG-72.

Ovarian cancer remains the leading cause of death among women diagnosed with gynecological cancers and ranks as the fifth most common cause of death among women overall. Addressing these tumors with novel cellular immunotherapies like those being developed by Cartherics is crucial for providing new treatment options to patients with significant unmet medical needs. The global market for ovarian cancer treatment drugs was valued at $2.50 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $5.45 billion by 2033.

Professor Alan Trounson AO, CEO of Cartherics, emphasized the importance of this patent, stating, "The award of this patent strengthens our global position in cancer therapy and potentially other intractable disease conditions. This creates a very good position for the Company."

Cartherics is dedicated to enhancing the body's immune response to cancer. The company's portfolio includes CAR-T and CAR-NK cell products, with their allogeneic cell platform deriving from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated from donated cord blood. These iPSCs can be differentiated into NK cells, T cells, and other immune system cells. They are genetically engineered at specific genomic sites to enhance the function of the derived immune cells. The company's leading product, CTH-401, is a CAR-NK cell product that targets TAG-72 and includes the deletion of two genes associated with immunosuppression.

Cartherics continues to advance in the field of cellular immunotherapies, aiming to provide new avenues for treatment in the fight against cancer.