USPTO Issues Patent To Endocyte

US Patent and Trademark Office has issued patent to Endocyte covering vitamin receptor binding anti-cancer agents. The patent, entitled “Vitamin Receptor Binding Drug Delivery Conjugates” (US Patent No. 7,601,332), covers novel conjugation linkages and anti-cancer agents, including Endocyte’s EC145, which is currently in development as a potential treatment for ovarian and non-small cell lung cancers.

The company said that the patent represents years of research into Endocyte’s technology that links potent anti-cancer agents to receptor binding moieties on the surfaces of cells. The technology utilises a proprietary linker technology that connects the anti-cancer agent to the appropriate receptor binding moiety to form a conjugate. The moiety enables the conjugate to remain stable while in circulation and be delivered selectively into cancer cells.

Christopher Leamon, vice president of research at Endocyte, said: “This technology platform positions Endocyte to continue to create a new generation of powerful drugs in the years ahead that can target cancer and other diseased cells with high precision to significantly improve both safety and efficacy profiles of existing and new therapeutics.”

Ron Ellis, president and CEO of Endocyte, said: “Our progress with EC145 and EC20 indicate that the Endocyte receptor-targeting technology platform could have a profound positive impact on disease diagnosis and targeted treatment in the years ahead.”