GeoVax Secures New Patent for Innovative Cancer Treatment Approach

GeoVax Labs has expanded its intellectual property portfolio with a newly allowed patent that describes an innovative approach to treating solid tumors. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a Notice of Allowance for a patent application covering a targeted therapeutic method combining viral vector delivery, prodrug administration, and radiation therapy.

The patented strategy involves three key steps: directly administering an adenoviral vector encoding purine nucleoside phosphorylase into the tumor, followed by a prodrug called fludarabine phosphate, and then applying radiation therapy. This approach targets multiple cancer types, including glioblastoma, breast, prostate, head and neck, glioma, and lung cancers.

The innovative method aims to generate localized cytotoxic activity within the tumor microenvironment while minimizing systemic side effects. By focusing treatment directly at the tumor site, the technique potentially offers a more precise and less invasive alternative to traditional cancer treatments.

David Dodd, GeoVax's Chairman and CEO, emphasized the significance of the patent, noting that while the claims do not directly mirror current clinical programs, they establish a critical foundation for future therapeutic developments. The company's intellectual property portfolio now encompasses over 135 granted or pending patent applications across 23 distinct patent families.

GeoVax is currently preparing to launch a Phase 2 clinical trial combining their Gedeptin gene therapy with an immune checkpoint inhibitor for patients with first recurrence of head and neck cancer. The newly allowed patent provides additional protection as the company explores expanded applications and potential partnerships in interventional oncology.