Exicure, Inc. (Nasdaq: XCUR) announced today that the Australian Patent Office has issued Patent No. 2018388302, titled "GPCR Heteromer Inhibitors and Uses Thereof," expanding the company's intellectual property protection for its innovative cancer treatment approach.
The newly granted patent covers Exicure's proprietary combination therapy that specifically targets CXCR4 and GPCRx receptors. This patent issuance provides critical support for the company's ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT05561751), which is evaluating the combination of GPC-100 and propranolol in patients with multiple myeloma.
"This issuance reinforces the exclusivity of our lead clinical program," said Andy Yoo, CEO of Exicure, Inc. "By co-targeting CXCR4 and ADRB2, we can significantly enhance the potency of CXCR4 inhibitors like GPC-100. This opens new possibilities for these inhibitors to become more effective therapies, and our well-devised patent portfolio ensures strong intellectual property protection for this proprietary approach."
Mechanism of Action and Clinical Significance
The therapeutic approach covered by the patent aims to improve hematopoietic stem cell mobilization through the simultaneous targeting of CXCR4 and ADRB2 receptors. This dual-targeting strategy is designed to enhance the efficacy of CXCR4 inhibitors such as GPC-100, potentially offering improved outcomes for patients with hematological malignancies.
Multiple myeloma, the focus of Exicure's Phase 2 trial, is a blood cancer that forms in plasma cells and affects approximately 35,000 new patients annually in the United States. Current treatments often involve stem cell transplantation, making effective stem cell mobilization techniques particularly valuable for this patient population.
Global Patent Portfolio Expansion
The Australian patent joins Exicure's growing international intellectual property portfolio for this technology. The company has already secured similar patent protection in the United States, Japan, and Taiwan, with applications pending in other key jurisdictions worldwide.
This strategic expansion of patent coverage provides Exicure with exclusive rights to develop and commercialize its combination therapy approach across major pharmaceutical markets, potentially strengthening the company's position in oncology therapeutics.
Company Background and Future Directions
Exicure has historically focused on developing nucleic acid therapies targeting RNA against validated targets. Following a recent restructuring and suspension of some clinical activities, the company has been exploring strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value, both with its historical biotechnology assets and more broadly.
The continued expansion of its patent portfolio for the GPCR heteromer inhibitor technology suggests the company sees significant potential in this therapeutic approach, particularly for hematological malignancies like multiple myeloma.
Industry analysts note that innovative approaches to enhancing stem cell mobilization could address significant unmet needs in transplantation medicine, potentially improving outcomes for patients undergoing stem cell transplants as part of their cancer treatment regimens.
