Gene therapy company Genprex Inc (NASDAQ: GNPX) disclosed on Monday that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office for a patent covering the use of its Reqorsa gene therapy (quaratusugene ozeplasmid) in combination with PD-1 or PD-L1 antibodies for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

The patent expands the company's existing global intellectual property portfolio, which already includes granted protections in multiple jurisdictions including the United States, Japan, China, Europe and other international markets. The intellectual property specifically covers combination use with immune checkpoint inhibitors, including Genentech, Inc.'s Tecentriq® (atezolizumab), which is being evaluated in the Acclaim-3 clinical trial.

Reqorsa is being developed as part of Genprex's oncology pipeline, utilising its Oncoprex Delivery System to deliver tumour-suppressing genes via lipid-based nanoparticles. The therapy is designed to be used alongside established cancer treatments, with preclinical data indicating potential synergy with targeted therapies and immunotherapies.

The Acclaim-3 Phase 1/2 trial is evaluating Reqorsa in combination with Tecentriq as maintenance therapy in patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer following standard chemotherapy. The Phase 2 portion is expected to enrol approximately 50 patients and includes an interim analysis after 25 patients reach 18 weeks of follow-up. The study is supported by FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations.

Genprex said lung cancer remains a major unmet medical need in Canada, with tens of thousands of new cases and deaths projected annually, underscoring the potential clinical relevance of combination immunotherapy approaches.