Genprex Licenses Exclusive Patent for Quaratusugene Ozeplasmid Gene Therapy in Mesothelioma
AUSTIN, Texas — (April 28, 2025) — Genprex, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on cancer and diabetes treatments, today announced an exclusive patent license agreement with NYU Langone Health for its drug candidate, Reqorsa® Gene Therapy (quaratusugene ozeplasmid), which is being investigated as a potential mesothelioma treatment. The licensed patent, co-owned by Genprex and NYU Langone Health, grants Genprex exclusive rights.
“This license expands our oncology portfolio and intellectual property for REQORSA, allowing us to further explore its potential in treating difficult cancers like mesothelioma,” said Thomas Gallagher, Senior Vice President of Intellectual Property and Licensing. “We believe REQORSA has promise for mesothelioma, and this agreement enables us to advance clinical development with future studies under this patent.”
TUSC2, the tumor suppressor gene in REQORSA, is downregulated in 84% of mesotheliomas. Positive preclinical data on REQORSA for mesothelioma, presented by NYU collaborators at the 2024 EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium, showed that REQORSA significantly reduced cell proliferation and invasion while increasing apoptosis in mesothelioma cell lines. The study demonstrated the potent tumor-suppressive activity of the TUSC2 gene delivered by REQORSA, suggesting its re-expression as a potential therapy for mesothelioma.
In 2024, Genprex formed a Mesothelioma Clinical Advisory Board of leading researchers to support its preclinical program.
Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the lining of internal organs, with pleural mesothelioma (around the lungs) being the most common. Approximately 3,000 new cases and 2,500 deaths occur annually in the U.S., with a life expectancy of 18 months and a 3-year survival rate of 23% for pleural mesothelioma with treatment.
About Reqorsa® Gene Therapy
REQORSA (quaratusugene ozeplasmid) uses a plasmid containing the TUSC2 gene encapsulated in positively charged, non-viral lipid nanoparticles (Oncoprex® Delivery System). Administered intravenously, REQORSA is designed to specifically target and deliver the functioning TUSC2 gene to negatively charged cancer cells, minimizing uptake by normal tissue. In vitro studies at MD Anderson showed 10 to 33 times greater TUSC2 uptake in tumor cells compared to normal cells after REQORSA treatment.
Source:
https://www.genprex.com/2025/04/28/genprex-signs-exclusive-technology-license-agreement-with-new-york-university-langone-health-for-the-treatment-of-mesothelioma/
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