IDM obtains patent for cancer therapies

The company, which recently entered into an agreement to combine with the San Diego-based firm Epimmune, produces vaccines designed to prevent tumor relapse.

The therapies come from the patient’s white blood cells following exposure to IL-13 and GM-CSF, biological compounds which contribute to their transformation into dendritic cells. These dendritic cells are then exposed to tumor antigens and reinjected into the patient to stimulate the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy tumor cells.

This represents Immuno-Designed Molecules’ (IDM) most advanced product in this class. It is being developed in partnership with Sanofi-Aventis for the treatment of melanoma. Another therapeutic vaccine, Collidem, is currently in clinical development in the US for colorectal cancer.

The patent granted to IDM by the European Patent Office is titled “New antigen presenting cells, a process for preparing the same and their use as cellular vaccines”. It covers the preparation process and the dendritic cells obtained after differentiation of the monocytes from the blood.

IDM’s patent portfolio includes 141 proprietary patents issued and granted and 86 patents pending. Additionally, IDM has exclusive rights to 92 issued and granted patents which it has in-licensed.

To date, more than 96% of IDM’s shareholders have entered into a definitive agreement to combine IDM with Nasdaq publicly traded Epimmune Inc. in an all-stock transaction expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2005. Epimmune has filed a proxy statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the transaction, which is subject to approval by the Epimmune stockholders and certain other closing conditions.