REG - Roquefort Theraptcs. - Expansion of Patent Portfolio

Roquefort TherapeuticsAnnouncement

14/08/2023 07:00

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RNS Number : 1451J  Roquefort Therapeutics PLC  14 August 2023

14 August 2023

Roquefort Therapeutics plc

("Roquefort Therapeutics" or the "Company")

 

Expansion of Patent Portfolio

Successful filing of the international (PCT) patent enhances Midkine IP
leadership position

 

Roquefort Therapeutics (LSE:ROQ), the Main Market listed biotech company
focused on developing first in class medicines in the high value and high
growth oncology market is pleased to announce the successful filing of the
international phase PCT (Patent Treaty Cooperation) patent for its proprietary
anti-cancer mRNA and RNA oligonucleotide therapeutics.

 

Today's announcement follows the development of the Company's novel
anti-cancer RNA oligonucleotide and mRNA therapeutics targeting Midkine
("MDK") announced on 13 and 22 June 2023, which are undergoing in vitro and in
vivo studies at the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales.
The studies demonstrated efficacy with the Company's MDK RNA Oligonucleotides
and mRNA in validated in vitro models of breast and liver cancer.

 

The PCT patent, governed by the World Intellectual Property Organisation
(WIPO), once approved, provides patent protection for the invention in more
than 155 countries 1  (#_ftn1) . The filing consolidates and enhances the
Company's intellectual property portfolio and leadership position in Midkine
with composition of matter and methods for the protection for both mRNA and
RNA oligonucleotide modalities. While the mRNA and RNA oligonucleotides target
different regions of the Midkine, both have demonstrated anti-cancer efficacy
in vitro. 2  (#_ftn2)

 

The MDK RNA oligonucleotide and mRNA programs have now progressed into
combinations studies with a proprietary targeted nano-particle delivery
technology and are scheduled to progress into in vivo studies in Q4 2023.

 

Ajan Reginald, Chief Executive Officer of Roquefort Therapeutics, said:

"mRNA technology promises to revolutionize future treatments for cancer
(AAMC 3  (#_ftn3) ) and as such we are delighted that we are part of this
cutting-edge field to treat the hardest-to-treat cancers. Both the mRNA and
RNA oligonucleotides attack the novel Midkine target, in which the Company are
pioneers. Midkine expression is highly associated with cancer progression and
poor survival.

 

As we've recently seen with the validation of STAT-6 (through a $Billion
licensing deal), we believe Midkine will become a highly attractive, validated
target and we will be uniquely positioned with a portfolio of patented
antibody, mRNA and RNA oligonucleotide medicines. Therefore our focus is
continue to deliver on R&D and commercial milestones that highlight the
significant potential of Midkine as a novel cancer target."

 

 

-Ends-

Enquiries:
 Roquefort Therapeutics plc
 Stephen West (Chairman) / Ajan Reginald (CEO)  +44 (0)20 3918 8633

 Hybridan LLP (Joint Broker)

 Claire Louise Noyce                            +44 (0)203 764 2341

 Optiva Securities Limited (Joint Broker)
 Christian Dennis                               +44 (0)20 3411 1881

 Buchanan (Public Relations)

 Ben Romney / Jamie Hooper / George Beale       +44 (0)20 7466 5000

 

LEI: ‎254900P4SISIWOR9RH34

 

About Roquefort Therapeutics

Roquefort Therapeutics (LSE:ROQ) is a Main Market listed biotech company
developing first in class drugs in the high value and high growth oncology
segment prior to partnering or selling to big pharma.

 

Since listing in March 2021, Roquefort Therapeutics has successfully acquired
Lyramid Pty Limited, a leader in the development of medicines for a new
therapeutic target, Midkine (a human growth factor associated with cancer
progression), and most recently acquired Oncogeni Ltd, founded by Nobel
Laureate Professor Sir Martin Evans, which has developed two families of
innovative cell and RNA oncology medicines.

 

Roquefort Therapeutics' portfolio consists of five fully funded, novel
patent-protected pre-clinical anti-cancer medicines.  The highly
complementary profile of four best-in-class medicines consists of:

·    Midkine antibodies with significant in vivo efficacy and toxicology
studies;

·    Midkine RNA oligonucleotide therapeutics with novel anti-cancer gene
editing action;

·    Midkine mRNA therapeutics with novel anti-cancer approach

·    STAT-6 siRNA therapeutics targeting solid tumours with significant in
vivo efficacy; and

·    MK cell therapy with direct and NK-mediated anti-cancer action.

 

For further information on Roquefort Therapeutics, please visit
www.roquefortplc.com (http://www.roquefortplc.com) and @RoquefortTherap on
Twitter.

 

 1  (#_ftnref1) www.wipo.int/pct

 2  (#_ftnref2) https://www.roquefortplc.com/regulatory-news/39390
(https://www.roquefortplc.com/regulatory-news/39390) and
https://www.roquefortplc.com/regulatory-news/39288
(https://www.roquefortplc.com/regulatory-news/39288)

 3  (#_ftnref3)
https://www.aamc.org/news/mrna-technology-promises-revolutionize-future-vaccines-and-treatments-cancer-infectious-diseases

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