Adamis receives European patent for novel cell-based cancer vaccine technology

Jul 14 2011

Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (OTCBB:ADMP), today announced the technology which constitutes the basis of a novel cell-based cancer vaccine, TeloB-VAX, was recently granted a patent in Europe. A patent entitled "Somatic transgene immunization and related methods" has been issued. Although genetic vaccines (DNA) have been used, there remains a need to develop more effective methods to exploit their ability to induce a reproducible immune response. The present invention satisfies this need and provides related advantages as well. The issued claims offer broad protection of a technology platform developed by Dr. Maurizio Zanetti, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Laboratory of Immunology at the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center.

The technology platform provides a method for delivering a nucleic acid molecule such as a DNA vaccine into B cells (a cell of the immune system); this method is termed somatic transgene immunization or STI. It allows for the development of specific vaccines for the treatment of various tumors and infectious diseases. The technology uses the patient's own B cells for antigen production, as well as for antigen presentation. STI introduces into a host the "blueprint" for vaccine molecules in a way that mimics viral infections without the infectious threat. The introduction of functional genes into B cells of immunocompetent adults is a simple and elegant way to mimic natural infection and produce protective immunity. STI activates CD4 and CD8 T cells (cells of the immune system), as well as inducing normal T cell memory. The recently issued claims protect the use of STI for the treatment of any disease indication, including viral and bacterial infections (such as e.g. influenza, hepatitis B and C, human papilloma virus, etc.) and also tumors, such as cancer of the prostate, colon, lung, breast, melanoma, and others.

Adamis previously announced that a Phase 1 study was completed utilizing STI in its TeloB-VAX technology in castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients. The study demonstrated this vaccine to be safe, non-toxic and immunogenic. It was shown that the vaccine induced the production of T cells that were capable of killing prostate cancer cells. Adamis has recently contracted for the manufacture of additional plasmid in preparation for expanding the clinical vaccine studies in prostate cancer patients. Adamis intends to conduct a Phase 2 study in castrate resistant prostate cancer patients.

Source: Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corporation