The German-American
biopharmaceutical company MediGene (NMarkt: MDG) announced today a
significant addition to its intellectual property portfolio with the grant of
US-Patent US 6,277,621. This patent gives MediGene broad protection
covering the use of bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC) for generating
recombinant viruses for research and therapeutic purposes. For instance, with
the help of BACs the DNA of the virus can be modified, propagated and used
for the production of both oncolytic viruses and gene shuttles.
Many diseases, such as cancer diseases, are associated with acquired
genetic defects leading to deregulation or loss of gene function. MediGene’s
scientists are currently developing two ways of treating these genetic defects
with the help of therapeutic viruses: on the one hand certain modified viruses
can be used to destroy tumor cells without harming healthy tissue (oncolytic
viruses). On the other hand virus shells carrying therapeutic genes (gene
shuttles) can replace disease-related gene functions. These gene shuttles (e.g.
MediGene’s HSV-amplicons) can be delivered to the patients’ cells in a safe
and effective manner.
Currently, MediGene is applying the BAC technology to its proprietary oncolytic
herpes simplex virus (HSV) programs to treat cancer diseases such as brain
cancers and liver metastases. In addition, the BAC technology is also being
used to generate the HSV amplicon gene shuttles. As the BAC technology has
wide-ranging applications for generating many types of modified viruses, it can
also be used as a research tool. Modified viruses generated by utilizing the
BAC technology may be used to identify functions of unknown genes
(functional genomics) as well as for the development of vaccines.
“The BAC technology described in this patent has enormous potential, both for
generating new therapeutic viruses and for producing DNA that can be used
as a direct therapeutic agent, explains Frank Tufaro, Ph.D., Managing Director
of MediGene, Inc. “This technology will likely be of interest to many companies
working in the area of viral oncolytics, gene therapy and vaccines.”
Dr. Peter Heinrich, MediGene’s CEO adds: “The BAC patent is an important
asset to MediGene which not only adds new therapeutic options to the existing
in-house portfolio but also provides licensing opportunities to the
pharmaceutical and biotech industries.”
In addition to the recently issued patent, the company’s strong patent portfolio
contains numerous issued international and US-patents in the field of cancer
therapeutics and cardiology covering NCEs, therapeutic viruses and gene
transfer technologies. Furthermore additional international patent applications
for the protection of its products and platform technologies are pending.