Imugene (ASX:IMU) has received a notice of intention from the European Patent Office to for the grant of a patent for its PD1-Vaxx cancer vaccine currently in clinical development for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The $587.52 million market capitalisation says the patent application, which covers the manufacturing and method of treatment, is anticipated to proceed to grant in late 2023 following the completion of certain formalities.

The PD1-Vaxx — a first-in-class programmed death-1 (PDI) vaccine — is a B-cell activating immunotherapy designed to treat tumours such as lung and colorectal cancer. This immunotherapy interferes with PD-1/PD-L1 binding and interaction and produces an anti-cancer effect.

Imugene Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Leslie Chong says receiving this notice is an ‘excellent’ milestone for the company’s technology, and Imugene is ‘excited’ to continue developing the therapy that demonstrates the value of its PD1-Vaxx vaccine.

Once granted, the patent will have a maximum term that expires on 28 March 2038.

Corresponding patent applications are still pending in Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, South Korea, Brazil, and Australia.

The patent has previously received a notice of grant in the US and Japan.

Imugene is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company focused on developing a range of new and novel immunotherapies that seek to activate the immune system of cancer patients to treat and eradicate tumours.

Images: Imugene