BIOTECH Patent News  

 
 
 
 
 
 
Sample Issue - September 2005

[ Return to Index ]


Chemokine expands protection of core anti-cancer technology with issuance of new United States patent

Chemokine Therapeutics Corporation (Vancouver, Canada), a biotechnology company developing chemokine-based therapies to treat cancer, blood disorders, cardiovascular, and infectious diseases, has been granted United States Patent 6,946,445 relating to a broad range of composition of matter claims, which include claims that cover its lead anti-cancer compound, CTCE-9908, among others. CTCE-9908 is designed to block CXCR4, a receptor found on the surface of cancer cells.

CTCE-9908 is part of a new generation of anti-cancer drug candidates that have the potential to both stop the spread of cancer (anti-metastasis) and slow the rate of cancer growth (anti-angiogenesis). The target receptor for CTCE-9908, CXCR4, is present on most tumors, including lung, breast, colon, ovarian, bone, brain and skin cancer cells. In experimental animal models, CTCE-9908 reduced cancer metastases by a significant 50-70%.

The patent entitled "Therapeutic Chemokine Receptor Antagonists", with a term lasting to March 2019, covers therapeutics compositions comprising CXCR4 receptor antagonists and builds on a patent granted earlier this year which focused on methods of use of the same compounds. The compositions are proteins that are comprised of amino acid sequences based on the natural human chemokine stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1). The composition claims are further strengthened by reference to specific amino acid substitutions and the method by which active sequences of peptides are linked by a bridging segment. Chemokine scientists have developed hundreds of synthetic peptides using rational drug design with the goal of developing a new generation of drug candidates.

In addition, the company has received confirmation that its contract manufacturer has successfully scaled up the production of CTCE-9908 in accordance with good manufacturing practices. This new lot of CTCE-9908 will be used for the company's Phase Ib/II clinical trials in cancer patients.

Leading cancer researchers have demonstrated that high CXCR4 expression in cancer cells is correlated to tumor progression, high metastasis rate and low survival rate. Blockage of CXCR4 reduces the growth of tumors by reducing blood vessel growth (anti-angiogenesis) which carries vital nutrients to a tumor. The company has completed a Phase I, dose-escalation clinical trial using CTCE-9908 in the United Kingdom to assess safety in healthy volunteers. CTCE-9908, after a single dose, was demonstrated to be safe and well tolerated by the study subjects.

Chemokine is a product-focused biotechnology company developing drugs that harness the therapeutic potential of stem cells through chemokine pathways. Chemokines are a class of proteins which signal biological responses from stem cells that play a critical role in the growth, differentiation and maturation of cells necessary for fighting infection, as well as tissue repair and regeneration. Stem cells are the master primitive cells that give rise to all of the cells and organs in the body. Chemokines are one of the major mediators of stem cell activity including stem cell growth, differentiation and maturation. Chemokine Therapeutics is a leader in research in this field. The company has five products with two lead product candidates in clinical trials; CTCE-0214, for enhancing the immune system, and CTCE-9908, to prevent the spread of cancer and its continued growth.

Chemokine Therapeutics Corporaation
+1-604-827-3131
www.chemokine.net

[ Return to Index ]

 

Home | Commentary & Reviews
Subscriptions | Law Firm Profiles | Links

Copyright 1997-2006 BIOTECH Patent News. Site developed by HWS, Inc.