Medigene AG Secures Chinese Patent for NY-ESO-1/LAGE 1a T Cell Receptor

Planegg/Martinsried, July 3, 2024 - Medigene AG, a company specializing in immuno-oncology, has announced that the Chinese Patent Office has granted them a patent for their T cell receptor (TCR) that targets NY-ESO-1 and LAGE-1a. These cancer-testis antigens are known for their presence in various tumor types.

The CEO of Medigene AG, Selwyn Ho, expressed satisfaction with the patent approval in China. He stated that this TCR, along with the PD1-41BB costimulatory switch protein, is pivotal to their leading TCR-T program, MDG1015. This program focuses on treating gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, myxoid/round cell liposarcoma, and synovial sarcoma. The company is preparing for a US IND submission in the third quarter of this year. The new patent complements others granted in the United States, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia, broadening the global application of their 3S (sensitive, specific, and safe) TCRs in various therapeutic areas, including TCR-T therapies, TCR-guided T cell engagers, and TCR natural killer cell therapies.

Medigene is actively expanding and reinforcing its patent portfolio by introducing new technologies and extending existing patents to more regions. The company currently holds over 20 different patent families globally, which cover the applications protecting Medigene’s 3S TCRs and its unique End-to-End (E2E) Platform technologies.

Medigene AG is an immuno-oncology platform company committed to developing specialized T cell therapies for solid tumors. The company's proprietary E2E Platform encompasses several exclusive technologies designed to produce optimal T cell receptors against neoantigens and cancer testis antigens. These technologies also enhance and armor TCR-engineered T cells to develop top-tier, differentiated TCR-T therapies. The E2E Platform aids in optimizing the drug product composition for safety, efficacy, and durability, generating product candidates for both Medigene's therapeutic pipeline and potential partnerships. The company's lead TCR-T program, MDG1015, is scheduled for an IND filing in the third quarter of 2024 and a CTA filing in the fourth quarter of 2024.

MDG1015 is a pioneering, third-generation TCR-T therapy aimed at NY-ESO-1 / LAGE-1a, an established cancer testis antigen found in multiple tumor types. This program integrates Medigene’s 3S NY-ESO-1 / LAGE-1a TCR with the proprietary PD1-41BB costimulatory switch protein. This combination not only blocks the PD1/PD-L1 inhibitory axis but also activates the T cell through the 41BB pathway, enhancing the TCR-T cell’s effectiveness and durability in the challenging tumor microenvironment (TME). Currently, MDG1015 is undergoing studies required for IND/CTA approval, with IND approval expected in the third quarter of 2024 and CTA approval in the fourth quarter of 2024.