Genprex Secures Key European Patent for Gene Therapy in Combination with PD-1 Inhibitors

AUSTIN, TX — Genprex, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical-stage gene therapy company, today announced a major expansion of its intellectual property portfolio. The European Patent Office (EPO) has communicated its intent to grant Genprex a patent covering the use of REQORSA® Gene Therapy (quaratusugene ozeplasmid) in combination with PD-1 antibodies for the treatment of cancer.

The patent is a critical step in safeguarding the company’s novel approach to cancer treatment across a vital global market. Lung cancer, the initial focus for REQORSA development, accounted for an estimated 20.4% of all cancer deaths in the EU-27 countries in 2020, according to the European Commission. “We are pleased to continue bolstering our patent estate, which includes multiple patents for the use of REQORSA in combination with both PD-1 and PD-L1 antibodies across many markets,” said Thomas Gallagher, Senior Vice President of Intellectual Property and Licensing at Genprex. “This European patent will further strengthen our intellectual property portfolio and the patent protection around REQORSA in order to safeguard our gene therapy with target-specific combination therapy.”

Global IP Strategy

The new European patent significantly extends Genprex’s protection for the combination therapy, adding to previously granted patents in major markets including the U.S., Japan, China, Australia, Russia, Mexico, Chile, and Singapore.

REQORSA’s Role in Combination Therapy

REQORSA Gene Therapy is being initially developed to treat lung cancer in combination with prominent, approved cancer drugs, including immunotherapies like PD-1 inhibitors.

In preclinical studies, REQORSA has demonstrated a complementary effect when combined with targeted drugs and immunotherapies. Genprex believes REQORSA’s unique attributes position it to potentially improve upon current treatments for patients with lung cancer and potentially other cancers, addressing a severe global burden.

Globally, lung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the primary cause of cancer-related deaths, with approximately 2.48 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths reported in 2022, according to GLOBOCAN data.