Convergen LifeSciences Announces Patent Award for Cancer Suppressors
AUSTIN, Texas, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
> - Patent Covers CNVN202 Nanomolecular Cancer Therapy
Convergen LifeSciences, Inc. announced today that a United States Patent has been awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office jointly to The University of Texas System Board of Regents and The Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The patent is one of 23 patents, pending or issued worldwide, licensed exclusively to Convergen LifeSciences, Inc. The patent covers CNVN202, a targeted molecular cancer therapy undergoing clinical testing in lung cancer patients.
The patent is based upon important discoveries made by a team of researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ("UTMDACC"), The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the National Cancer Institute. More than 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications have demonstrated 3p21.3 genes ability to control key anti-cancer mechanisms. CNVN202 harnesses TUSC2, the most potent inducer of apoptosis among the family of cancer suppressor genes.
"The patent validates our first-in-class technology platform," stated Greg Heinlein, Chief Operating and Financial Officer, Convergen LifeSciences. "By taking the novel tumor suppressors and assembling technologies from the fields of genomics, nanotechnology, molecular medicine and advanced materials sciences, we have built the foundation for a number of potential new therapies offering new options for cancer patients."
The phase I clinical trial showed for the first time that a tumor suppressor gene can be delivered intravenously and selectively to human cancer cells using a nanoparticle vector, express high levels of mRNA and protein in cancer cells in the primary tumor and distant metastatic sites, alter relevant pathways in the cancer cell and mediate clinically beneficial anti-cancer activity.
A phase II clinical trial is planned to evaluate CNVN202 in combination with Tarceva® (erlotinib) in lung cancer patients, who would not be expected to benefit from erlotinib alone. CNVN202 has shown synergy when combined with erlotinib in both EGFR mutation positive and negative cancers.
Tarceva® is a registered trademark of the Roche Group including Genentech and Chugai and Astellas Pharma.
Contact: Greg Heinlein Convergen LifeSciences, Inc. +1-512-372-4422 Email: gheinlein@convergenlifesciences.com http://www.convergenlifesciences.com
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