GenSpera Announces US Patent for Methods and Compositions for the Detection, Imaging and Treatment of Cancer
SAN ANTONIO, July 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- GenSpera, Inc. (OTCQB: GNSZ), a leader in developing prodrug therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, announces the issuance of a United States patent entitled "Methods and compositions for the detection of cancer". The patent US 8,772,226 B2 was issued July 8, 2014.
The patent contains composition claims for thapsigargin-containing prodrugs that can be radiolabelled and then activated by the enzymes Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) or Human Glandular Kallikrein 2 (hK2). The patent also claims methods of using such radiolabelled prodrugs for the detection, imaging and treatment of cancers in humans.
The co-inventors on the patent include Drs. Samuel Denmeade, John Isaacs and Soren Brogger Christensen who are all members of GenSpera's Scientific Advisory Board.
"As we evaluate G-202 further in the liver cancer and glioblastoma Phase II clinical trials it is clear that the technology described in this patent, when fully developed, would greatly aid in the selection of patients most likely to benefit from G-202 treatment," said Craig Dionne, PhD, GenSpera's CEO. "The issuance of this patent also exemplifies the breadth and diversity of GenSpera's intellectual property portfolio."
View the full patent: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8772226.PN.&OS=PN/8772226&RS=PN/8772226.
About GenSpera
GenSpera's technology platform combines a powerful, plant-derived cytotoxin (thapsigargin) with a prodrug delivery system that provides for the targeted release of drug candidates within a tumor. Unlike typical chemotherapeutic agents, thapsigargin results in cell death irrespective of the rate of cell division, which may provide an effective approach to kill both fast- and slow-growing cancers. GenSpera's lead drug candidate, G-202, is activated by the enzyme PSMA, which is found at high levels in the vasculature of liver and glioblastoma cancers and in the vasculature of almost all other solid tumors. G-202 is therefore expected to have potential efficacy in a wide variety of tumor types.
G-202 Phase II clinical trials are underway in both hepatocellular carcinoma and glioblastoma patients.
For more information, please visit the company's website: http://www.genspera.com or follow us on Twitter @GenSperaNews.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information
This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release regarding potential applications of GenSpera's technologies constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, uncertainty of clinical trial results or regulatory approvals or clearances, need for future capital, dependence upon collaborators and maintenance of our intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Additional information on potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties will be detailed from time to time in GenSpera's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.