USPTO to issue patent for CU's DCA to treat cancer

Viral Genetics (Pink Sheets: VRAL) reports that a patent under which it is exclusively licensed will be granted for using a compound known as DCA to treat cancer. DCA (dichloroacetic acid) has emerged as a compound that accelerates the destruction of tumors without the deleterious and debilitating side effects associated with chemotherapy or radiation. This is the first patent granted for the use of DCA to treat cancer, and represents a significant milestone in the company's growth.

The United States Patent and Trade Office has announced that the patent calling for the use of Dichloroacetate (DCA) to treat Cancer will be issued to the University of Colorado (CU) - and licensed exclusively to Viral Genetics - as a result of the invention filed by Viral Genetics' Lead Scientist, Dr. M. Karen Newell Rogers, during her tenure at CU. Newell Rogers originally filed the patent application in 2003, based on research work she and colleagues had done relating to "systems and methods for treating human inflammatory and proliferative diseases and wounds, with fatty acid metabolism inhibitors and/or glycolytic inhibitors." Her work has resulted in the granting of patent number 8,071,645, which will issue on December 6, 2011.

Since filing the application, other companies and research entities, both in the US and internationally, have also done much work to validate and unlock the value inherent in utilizing DCA as a therapeutic agent. Over the last four years, extensive validating research has been performed that documents DCA as a potentially powerful cancer treatment. Dr. Newell Rogers is one of the scientific pioneers suggesting that agents, including DCA, that disrupt tumor specific metabolic pathways, will have value as novel cancer drugs and, as such, she is the first researcher to have a patent granted on its use in the battle against cancer.

Haig Keledjian, Viral Genetic's CEO, said, "We have been strategically accumulating a significant and valuable portfolio of intellectual property rights around Dr. Newell's core metabolic disruption science. As we take each step toward monetization of our IP portfolio, this patent, and many others that we anticipate will be granted, are expected to continue to create value for our shareholders. In concert with our legal team, we are setting in place the licensing and revenue strategy for the company from this IP portfolio."