Ixaka strengthens IP Portfolio for its in vivo gene delivery platform and multi-cell therapy with key European and US patents
Ixaka Ltd, an integrated cell and gene therapy company focused on the natural power of the body to cure disease, today announces that it has been granted two key patents – a European patent concerning in vivo applications of its proprietary polymeric targeted nanoparticle (TNP) platform, and a US patent concerning its autologous cell therapy REX-001.
EU patent for in vivo gene delivery platform
Ixaka’s in vivo gene delivery platform enables therapeutic cells to be targeted and genetic modifications to be made directly within a patient’s body. The gene delivery platform is currently being applied to generate CAR T-cell therapies in vivo for haematological malignancies. Component modifications will enable targeting of a broad range of therapeutic cells for the treatment of serious diseases, including solid tumours, rare genetic disorders, neurological and autoimmune diseases.
The European patent (EP3406265A1) covers complexes of viral-based therapeutic agents with poly(beta-amino ester)s (PBAEs) polymers. The said polymers are modified with at least one oligopeptide to increase the stability of the nanoparticle and to facilitate the transduction. It also covers encapsulating and treatment methods for in vivo applications.
US patent for autologous cell therapy REX-001
REX-001, Ixaka’s lead multi-cell therapy asset, is an autologous cell-based product in clinical development for the treatment of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). REX-001 is currently being evaluated in the pivotal Phase III SALAMANDER clinical trial at multiple sites across Europe.
The US patent (No. 10,869,886 B2), granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, covers the composition, dose and administration procedure of REX-001. This newly granted patent ensures patent market exclusivity in the US for Ixaka´s proprietary cell suspension of adult bone-marrow-derived cells for use in the treatment or amelioration of CLTI. Further grants are expected to follow in Europe, China, Japan and other major markets.
Joe Dupere, CEO of Ixaka, added: “The strengthening of our patent portfolio further expands the value of our offering. We will generate additional IP as we expand our oncology pipeline and continue to develop the technical components of our products and platform, while also progressing our lead REX-001 program through Phase 3 clinical trials in CLTI. We also seek collaborations for REX-001 and the application of our versatile targeted nanoparticle technology across new fields, including rare genetic disorders, neurological and autoimmune diseases.”
Cécile Bauche, CSO at Ixaka, commented: “The latest European and US patents add to our rapidly growing IP portfolio and highlight the pioneering nature of Ixaka’s cell and gene therapy technologies. Receiving approval within 3 years of submission for the targeted nanoparticle gene delivery platform reflects the strength of our patent application and claim, and we are very satisfied with the scope of the US patent for our REX-001 multi-cell therapy.”
IP portfolio overview
Building a robust and broad IP portfolio is at the heart of Ixaka’s development strategy. The Company’s ongoing R&D and upcoming clinical data will allow filing of additional patent applications across multiple territories.
Ixaka’s current IP portfolio contains 1 patent family for its MCT platform and 11 patent families for its TNP platform, covering all key components of the technology, including a proprietary polymer, bald engineered lentiviral vector, T-cell specific promoter and aptamer-based targeting agent. The portfolio also provides protection across a wide geographic range (including Europe, the United States, Japan, China, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Korea and India).
The European patent is for products developed under a licence agreement between Ixaka (previously aratinga.bio), Sagetis Biotech (“Sagetis”) and universities (Institut Quimic de Sarria CETS Fundacio Privada and Institut d’Investigacions Biomediques). This exclusive and worldwide license covers the field of any retroviral-based (including lentiviral-based) and plasmid-based applications in any therapeutic area.