Medigene AG Gains European Patent for NY-ESO-1 T Cell Receptor

Planegg/Martinsried, May 2, 2024 – Medigene AG, a prominent immuno-oncology company focusing on T cell immunotherapies for solid tumors, has announced the European Patent Office's approval of a patent for its T cell receptor (TCR) targeting NY-ESO-1. NY-ESO-1, standing for New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1, is a notable cancer-testis antigen present in various tumor types.

"We are thrilled to secure protection for our NY-ESO-1-targeted TCR within Europe. This TCR, along with the PD1-41BB costimulatory switch protein (CSP), is a cornerstone of our leading program, MDG1015. This European patent complements similar protections granted in the United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia, reinforcing the critical technologies of our End-to-End Technology platform and its capacity to produce optimal affinity 3S (sensitive, specific, and safe) TCRs," stated Selwyn Ho, CEO of Medigene AG. "In addition to our specialized TCR-T therapies for solid tumors like MDG1015, we are investigating the potential of extending our top-tier TCRs into other modalities, including T cell engagers (TCE) and TCR natural killer cell (TCR-NK) therapies."

Medigene continues to broaden and fortify its patent portfolio by incorporating new technologies and extending existing patents into new regions. The company holds over 20 different patent families globally, protecting Medigene’s 3S TCRs and its exclusive E2E Platform technologies.

Medigene AG is an immuno-oncology platform company focused on developing unique T cell therapies for treating solid tumors. Their End-to-End Platform comprises several proprietary and exclusive technologies that enable the creation of optimal T cell receptors targeting both cancer testis antigens and neoantigens. These engineered TCR-T cells are enhanced and armored to yield best-in-class, differentiated TCR-T therapies, optimizing the drug product composition for safety, efficacy, and durability. The End-to-End Platform supports product candidates for both Medigene’s therapeutic pipeline and partnering opportunities. The lead TCR-T program, MDG1015, is anticipated to receive IND/CTA approval in the latter half of 2024.

MDG1015 represents a pioneering, third-generation T cell receptor engineered T cell (TCR-T) therapy targeting NY-ESO-1/LAGE-1a, a recognized cancer testis antigen found in multiple tumor types. MDG1015 incorporates Medigene’s optimal affinity 3S (sensitive, specific, and safe) NY-ESO-1/LAGE-1a TCR, combined with the proprietary PD1-41BB costimulatory switch protein. This protein negates the PD1/PD-L1 inhibitory axis while activating the T cell through the well-known 41BB pathway, enhancing the TCR-T’s activity and persistence within the challenging tumor microenvironment. IND/CTA approval for MDG1015 is projected for the latter half of 2024.