Technology to regulate autoimmunity expands IP portfolio
austinTexas , December 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Genprex (“Genprex” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: gross national product), a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies for patients with cancer and diabetes, today announced that it has partnered with
This University of Pittsburgh, granting Genprex an exclusive worldwide license to certain patent applications and related technologies, as well as a worldwide non-exclusive license to use certain related know-how, all related to the modulation of autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes through gene therapy. The preclinical technology engineered macrophages to enable them to reduce autoimmune activity in type 1 diabetes and could complement the company’s existing diabetes technology.
“Gaining exclusive access to a technology that modulates the immune system by transforming macrophages may prove to be important to our broader research partnership with the laboratory george gittisMD, Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics and Director of Pediatric Surgery University of Pittsburgh medical school,” said Mark Berg, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Genprex. “We are making significant progress in our program utilizing Dr. Gittes’ innovative approach to treating diabetes by converting alpha cells into beta-like cells, and are excited to add this additional technology and collaboration from Dr. Gittes’ lab to our In the arsenal in collaboration with the lab of Dr. Xangwei Xiao, Assistant Professor of Surgery, who is also in Pediatric Surgery University of Pittsburgh medical school. Not only could this new approach be used to reduce autoimmune activity in type 1 diabetes patients by modulating the immune system, but it could also potentially be used in combination with our previously licensed technology. ”
“Dr. Gittes’ work on diabetes is absolutely critical as diabetes reaches epidemic proportions worldwide. In the U.S. alone, there are more than 37 million people with diabetes (about 1.9 million of whom have type 1 diabetes), and Some 96 million Americans also have prediabetes or abnormally elevated blood sugar levels. The opportunity to alter the course of this disease through gene therapy is compelling, and increasing our exclusive access to intellectual property could prove crucial to our path The key is to move forward,” said Rodney VarnerPresident and CEO of Genprex.
The company signed an exclusive licensing agreement with China University of Pittsburgh 2020. The gene therapy approach under the original license includes a novel infusion procedure that uses an endoscope and an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to deliver the Pdx1 and MafA genes directly to the pancreas. In models of type 1 diabetes, the genes express proteins that convert alpha cells in the pancreas into functional beta-like cells that produce insulin but are distinct from beta cells and evade the body’s immune system. In type 2 diabetes, where autoimmunity plays no role, it is believed that depleted beta cells are rejuvenated and replenished.
This gene therapy approach was developed by Ph.D. Gittes.His preclinical research in this field has been published in peer-reviewed scientific publications and he has received several research grants, including $2.59 million Grant awarded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Earlier studies in mouse models of diabetes have shown that the gene therapy can restore normal blood sugar levels over a longer period of time, usually around four months. The duration of recovery of blood sugar levels in mice is believed to translate to decades in humans. Preliminary data from a recent study in a nonhuman primate model of type 1 diabetes are also promising. Data from this study are expected to be presented at a scientific meeting in the first quarter of 2023.
About Genprex, Inc.
Genprex Corporation is a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies for patients with cancer and diabetes. Genprex’s technology is designed to manage disease resistance genes to provide new treatments for a large number of cancer and diabetes patients for whom current treatment options are limited. Genprex collaborates with world-class institutions and collaborators to develop drug candidates to further advance its gene therapy pipeline to deliver new treatments. Genprex’s oncology program utilizes its proprietary non-viral ONCOPREX® nanoparticle delivery system, which the company believes is the first systemic gene therapy delivery platform for human cancer. ONCOPREX uses lipid nanoparticles to encapsulate gene-expressing plasmids. The resulting product is administered intravenously and then taken up by tumor cells expressing tumor suppressor proteins that are lacking in vivo. The company’s lead product candidate, REQORSA™ (quaratusugene ozeplasmid), is being evaluated for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (each of these clinical programs received Fast Track designation from the Food and Drug Administration) and for small cell lung cancer. Genprex’s diabetes gene therapy approach includes a novel infusion procedure that uses endoscopy and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors to deliver the Pdx1 and MafA genes directly to the pancreas. In models of type 1 diabetes, the genes express proteins that convert alpha cells in the pancreas into functional beta-like cells that produce insulin but are distinct from beta cells and evade the body’s immune system. In type 2 diabetes, where autoimmunity does not play a role, it is believed that depleted beta cells are also rejuvenated and replenished.
For more information, visit the company website at www.genprex.com or follow Genprex TwitterFacebook and LinkedIn.
Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of management, are not guarantees of performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in Genprex’s reports that it files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which you should review, including those statements under Item 1A – Genprex’s 10 -Risk Factors in Annual Report on Form K” December 31, 2021.
Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the timing and success of Genprex clinical trials and regulatory approvals, including the scope and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of diabetes; Genprex’s future growth and financial position; Genprex’s commercial and strategic partnerships, including those with third-party manufacturers and their ability to successfully execute and scale up the manufacturing of their product candidates; and Genprex’s intellectual property and license.
These forward-looking statements should not be construed as predictions of future events, and Genprex cannot assure you that the events or circumstances discussed or reflected in these statements will materialize or occur. If such forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracies could be material. You should not regard these statements as representations or warranties by Genprex or anyone else that Genprex will achieve its goals and plans within any specified time frame or at all. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Genprex undertakes no obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
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