This patent application extends the protection provided by the company’s original HspE7 patent granted in 2003 and covers human papillomavirus (HPV) fusion protein compositions. Announcement of the new patent caused Stressgen’s stock to rise by over 10%.
HspE7 is a novel CoVal fusion therapeutic vaccine designed for the treatment of diseases caused by HPV, one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted diseases in the world. Stressgen estimates that 80% of sexually active men and women are infected by genital HPV at some point in their lives.
HPV infection can result in diseases including internal and external genital warts and precancerous conditions, such as cervical and anal dysplasia. Precancerous HPV-related conditions can progress into life-threatening diseases, including cervical, anal, and head and neck cancers.
“This manufacturing patent further strengthens our intellectual property estate surrounding HspE7, our lead product candidate, and any additional CoVal fusion proteins containing HPV antigens that may be constructed for the treatment of HPV-related diseases and cancer,” said Gregory McKee, president and CEO of Stressgen.