Out-licensing

Application: delivering the IL-12 gene into T-cells results in the production of very powerful CTL capable of killing diseased or problematic cells (viz. cancers or viruses) 

Adaptive-immunogene therapy holds great promise for generating novel and effective anti-cancer or anti-viral treatments.  This discovery improves the immune response to mount a host defense against cancers and viruses. 

The invention offers a method of treating a disease, in which the diseased cells contain antigens that are partially presented by an HLA class I (or equivalent) molecule on the surface of the diseased cells.  This method involves administering a therapeutically effective amount of antigen presenting cells which have been previously treated with the IL-12 gene via a viral delivery vector and the relevant antigen. 

In a related set of claims this method includes  the administration of therapeutic levels of CTL that recognize at least part of this antigen when it is presented by an HLA class I (or equivalent) molecule on the surface of the cell.  In this case these CTL were stimulated by the antigen presenting cells, mentioned above, which express both the interleukin 12 (IL-12) gene and the relevant antigen. 

Data regarding the transduction of the other cell types in the mixture is currently being developed for inclusion at the time of conversion

08-30 Hermonat

U.S. Provisional Patent Application #61/067,857

 Seeking development and licensing partner to commercialize this technology